This chapter is one of the most interesting and precious portions of the Sacred Scriptures. Some parts of it are attended with great difficulties; but its main scope and design is apparent to all. It is a continuation of the subject discussed in the previous chapter, and is intended mainly to show t... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS, THEREFORE, NOW - This is connected with the closing verses of Romans 7. The apostle had there shown that the Law could not effect deliverance from sin, but that such deliverance was to be traced to the gospel alone; Romans 7:23. It is implied here that there was condemnation under the Law,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LAW - The word “law” here means that “rule, command, or influence” which “the Spirit of life” produces. That exerts a control which is here called a law, for a law often means anything by which we are ruled or governed; see the notes at Romans 7:21, Romans 7:23. Of the Spirit. I see no reaso... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO - The Law of God, the moral law. It could not free from sin and condemnation. This the apostle had fully shown in Romans 7. IN THAT - Because. IT WAS WEAK - It was feeble and inefficacious. It could not accomplish it. THROUGH THE FLESH - In consequence of the strengt... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW - That we might be conformed to the Law, or be obedient to its requirements, and no longer under the influence of the flesh and its corrupt desires. MIGHT BE FULFILLED - That we might be obedient, or comply with its demands. WHO WALK - Note, Romans 8:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE FLESH - They that are under the influence of the corrupt and sinful desires of the flesh; Galatians 5:19. Those who are unrenewed. DO MIND THE THINGS OF THE FLESH - They are supremely devoted to the gratification of their corrupt desires. BUT THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE SPI... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED - Margin, “The minding of the flesh.” The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to mis... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE - This is given as a reason for what is said in Romans 8:6. In that verse the apostle had affirmed that to be carnally minded was death, but he had not stated why it was. He now explains it by saying that it is enmity against God, and thus involves a sinner in conflict with him, and exposes... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN - It follows; it leads to this conclusion. THEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH - They who are unrenewed sinners; who are following supremely the desires of the flesh; Romans 7:18. Those are meant here who follow fleshly appetites and desires, and who are not led by the Spirit of God. CANNOT PLEASE G... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE - You who are Christians. This is the opposite character to what he had been describing, and shows the power of the gospel. NOT IN THE FLESH - Not under the full influence of corrupt desires and passions. BUT IN THE SPIRIT - That is, you are spiritually minded; you are under the direction a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF CHRIST BE IN YOU - This is evidently a figurative expression, where the word “Christ” is used to denote his spirit, his principles; that is, he influences the man. Literally, he cannot be in a Christian; but the close connection between him and Christians, and the fact that they are entirely... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM ... - The Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9. HE THAT RAISED UP CHRIST ... - He that had power to restore him to life, has power to give life to you. He that did, in fact, restore him to life, will also restore you. The argument here seems to be founded, first, on the power of God; an... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE DEBTORS - We owe it as a matter of solemn obligation. This obligation arises, * From the fact that the Spirit dwells in us; * Because the design of his indwelling is to purify us; * Because we are thus recovered from the death of sin to the life of religion; and he who has imparted life... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF YOU LIVE ... - If you live to indulge your carnal propensities, you will sink to eternal death; Romans 7:23. THROUGH THE SPIRIT - By the aid of the Spirit; by cherishing and cultivating his influences. What is here required can be accomplished only by the aid of the Holy Spirit. DO MORTIFY... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS MANY - Whosoever; all who are thus led. This introduces a new topic, illustrating the benefits of the gospel, to wit, that it produces a spirit of adoption, Romans 8:14. AS ARE LED - As submit to his influence and control. The Spirit is represented as influencing, suggesting, and controlling.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE - The spirit that binds you; or the spirit of a slave, that produces only fear. The slave is under constant fear and alarm. But the spirit of religion is that of freedom and of confidence; the spirit of children, and not of slaves; compare the note at John 8:32. AGAIN TO FEAR -... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit here is intended, is evident, * Because this is the natural meaning of the expression; * Because it is of the Holy Spirit that the apostle is mainly treating here; * Because it would be an unnatural and forced construction to say of the temper... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF CHILDREN - If adopted into his family. THEN HEIRS - That is, he will treat us as sons. An heir is one who succeeds to an estate. The meaning here is, that if we sustain the relation of sons to God, that we shall be treated as such, and admitted to share his favors. An adopted son comes in fo... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I RECKON - I think; I judge. This verse commences a new division of the subject, which is continued to Romans 8:25. Its design is to show the power of the gospel in sustaining the soul in trials; a very important; and material part of the scheme. This had been partially noticed before Romans 5:3... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARNEST EXPECTATION - ἀποκαραδοκία apokaradokia. This word occurs only here and in Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope,” etc. It properly denotes a state of earnest desire to see any object when the head is thrust forward; an intense anxiety; an ardent wish;... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE CREATURE - The renewed creature; the Christian mind. This is given as a reason for its aspiring to the full privileges of adoption, that the present state is not one of choice, or one which is preferred, but one to which it has been subjected for wise reasons by God. SUBJECT TO VANITY - The... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE - This is the ground of his hope, and this sustains him now. It is the purpose of God that deliverance shall be granted, and this supports the Christian amidst the trials to which he is subjected here. The hope is, that this same renewed man shall be delivered from all the toils, and cares,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE KNOW - The sentiment of this verse is designed as an illustration of what had just been said. THAT THE WHOLE CREATION - Margin, “every creature.” This expression has been commonly understood as meaning the same as “the creature” in Romans 8:20. But I understand it as having a different signi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOT ONLY THEY - Not only the creation in general. “But ourselves also.” Christians. WHICH HAVE THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT - The word used ἀπαρχὴ aparchē denotes properly the first-fruits of the harvest, the portion that was first collected and consecrated to God as an offering of gratitud... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE ARE SAVED BY HOPE - It cannot be said that hope is the instrument or condition of salvation. Most commentators have understood this as meaning that we have as yet attained salvation only in hope; that we have arrived only to a condition in which we hope for future glory; and that we are in an... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF WE HOPE ... - The effect here stated is one which exists everywhere. Where there is a strong desire for an object, and a corresponding expectation of obtaining it - which constitutes true hope - then we can wait for it with patience. Where there is a strong desire without a corresponding expe... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE THE SPIRIT - This introduces a new source of consolation and support, what is derived from the Spirit. It is a continuation of the argument of the apostle, to show the sustaining power of the Christian religion. The “Spirit” here undoubtedly refers to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE THAT SEARCHETH THE HEARTS - God. To search the heart is one of his attributes which cannot be communicated to a creature; Jeremiah 17:10. KNOWETH WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT - Knows the desires which the Holy Spirit excites and produces in the heart. He does not need that those deep emoti... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE KNOW - This verse introduces another source of consolation and support, drawn from the fact that all flyings are under the direction of an infinitely wise Being, who has purposed the salvation of the Christian, and who has so appointed all things that they shall contribute to it. ALL THINGS... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW - The word used here προέγνω proegnō has been the subject of almost endless disputes in regard to its meaning in this place. The literal meaning of the word cannot be a matter of dispute. It denotes properly to “know beforehand;” to be acquainted with future events. But wh... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER ... - In this verse, in order to show to Christians the true consolation to be derived from the fact that they are predestinated, the apostle states the connection between that predestination and their certain salvation. The one implied the other. WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE - All whom he did... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY ... - What fairly follows from the facts stated? or what conclusion shall we draw in regard to the power of the Christian religion to support us in our trials from the considerations which have been stated? What the influence is he proceeds to state. IF GOD BE FOR US - Be on... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT SPARED NOT - Who did not retain, or keep from suffering and death. HIS OWN SON - Who thus gave the highest proof of love that a father could give, and the highest demonstration of his willingness to do good to those for whom he gave him. BUT DELIVERED HIM UP - Gave him into the hands of me... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO SHALL LAY ANYTHING TO THE CHARGE - This expression is taken from courts of law, and means, who shall accuse, or condemn, or so charge with crime before the tribunal of God as to cause their condemnation? GOD’S ELECT - His chosen people. Those who have been chosen according to his eternal purpos... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH? - Who shall pass sentence of condemnation, and consign to perdition? The function of passing sentence of condemnation on people shall pertain to Christ, the judge of quick and dead, and the apostle proceeds to say that it was certain that he would not condemn the elect of... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO SHALL SEPARATE US - That is, finally or entirely separate us. This is a new argument of the apostle, showing his strong confidence in the safety of the Christian. FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST - This expression is ambiguous; and may mean either our love to Christ or his love to us. I understand it in... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IT IS WRITTEN - Psalms 44:22. This passage the apostle quotes not as having originally reference to Christians, but as “aptly descriptive” of their condition. The condition of saints in the time of the psalmist was similar to that of Christians in the time of Paul. The same language would express... [ Continue Reading ]
NAY - But. Notwithstanding our severe pressures and trials. IN ALL THESE THINGS - In the very midst of them; while we are enduring them we are able to triumph; compare 1 Corinthians 15:57. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS - We gain the victory. That is, they have not power to subdue us; to alienate our... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM PERSUADED - I have a strong and unwavering confidence. Latin Vulgate, “I am certain.” The expression here implies unwavering certainty. NEITHER DEATH - Neither the fear of death, nor all the pains and tortures of the dying scene, even in the most painful trials of persecution; death in no... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR HEIGHT - This has been variously understood. Some have regarded it as referring to evil spirits in the air; others, to high and lofty speculation in doctrine; others, to heaven - to all that is in heaven. I regard it here as a synonymous with prosperity, honor, elevation in this life. The meanin... [ Continue Reading ]