Romans 8 - Introduction

Romans chapter Romans 8:1-18

INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN

I. INTRODUCTION:

'Our spirit can and must prevail over our flesh. We must not "walk" (pattern our life) after our flesh, but after our spirit; and God helps those who truly give their hearts to Him. From the first, Paul assumes the saint's heart has been "captured" for Christ (Cf. 2 Corinthians 8:5). God's law is written there (Hebrews 8:10); so he can say "to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). But he does not leave any to think subjective "feelings" are our standard. We are "in the spirit" only if our spirit is led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). We cannot discuss at length the Spirit's "indwelling", but this text makes it clear Christ must also be in us. Other scriptures speak of God, the word, and faith indwelling saints, to the extent they accept divine truth and allow it to influence their lives (see Ephesians 4:17 f). Here, Paul is urging the saints to allow their instructed spirits to prevail over their flesh..'

We need to keep in mind that Paul is still presenting arguments against those that claimed the gospel that he preached encouraged immoral living. Verse 12 in this chapter is. summary of his argument up to that point and it clearly shows that he is dealing with the issue of Christian responsibility.

Romans chapter Romans 8:19-39

I. INTRODUCTION:"But the glory to come far outweighs the affliction of the present. The affliction is light and temporary when compared with the all-surpassing and everlasting glory. So Paul, writing against. background of recent and (even for him) unparalleled tribulation, had assured his friends in Corinth. year or two previously that 'our light affliction, which is but for. moment, worketh for us. far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory' (2 Corinthians 4:17)." "The verses (Romans 8:19 and following) are closely connected with verse 18, and evidently were written to encourage the Christian to endure the suffering for the sake of the glory that shall be revealed to usward." "One can write across humanity: FALLEN SHORT. Mankind has failed. They aren't inherently evil, but people end up doing evil. The body which is vulnerable to pain and (overdoses of) pleasure seems to be. poor partner for the..spirit. The good news is that the body which has suffered through the fall is to be redeemed. It will become. fitted vehicle for service to God. Pain and pressure, suffering and lusts are. source of temptation to the believer. And if indeed saints are joint heirs with Christ, what about all this pain and inner pressure? The person has been redeemed from the penalty of sin, but will the person ever be redeemed from the vulnerability he has to pain and pressure? When will redemption come?"

II. OUTLINE OF chapter Romans 8:19-39:

A. The Hope of Glory: Romans 8:18-25

B. The Divine Help and Purpose: Romans 8:26-30

C. The Assurance of Salvation: Romans 8:31-39