| Text | Comments |
| .1
¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 1 - Not flesh but spirit Some may read this verse to say that since we have the Holy Spirit, we no longer need to obey that annoying law. This is not Paul's thought, however. He told us that "the law is spiritual" which we may see as in harmony with the Holy Spirit ro0714. It is in contrast to the law of fallen human nature which tells us to go ahead and do as we please. |
2 - Law of ... life ... free This promise we must not miss. In submission to the Spirit of life in Christ we are free from eternal death jn0524, lu1524. 2 - Law of sin and death It may be easy to see this law as the ten commandments or the broader writings of the OT. To understand we need to take note of the context. Just a few verses above, in chapter 7, Paul represented his natural driving force as a law that led him to do evil. Now he escapes condemnation by God's law because another law, "the spirit of life in Christ," has freed him from the law of his natural tendencies ro0721. |
| .3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned
sin in the flesh:
.4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. |
3 -
Law
This time we are looking at God's law. Its weakness was discussed at length
in chapter 7. The law was an enemy because it condemned him. It could not
save him (or any of us). This is a primary theme of the epistle.
4 - Fulfilled in us "The law itself was utterly powerless to vindicate its ordinance, or requirement, of holiness; but faith in Christ enables the believer to do this, that is, to fulfill the holiness of the law not by a perfect obedience, by a continued inner conflict with sin inevitably resulting in final victory through faith." (Teacher's Commentary) |
| .5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but
they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. .7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. .9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. |
7
- Carnal mind is enmity It can't be
guided by the law ja0404.
8 - Cannot please God Only through the Holy Spirit, can we be in harmony with God. |
| .10
¶ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the
Spirit is life because of righteousness.
.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. .14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. .16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: |
10
- Spirit is life Spiritual life which cannot be separated
from physical life.
11 - Spirit of Him who raised The Holy Spirit of God. This connection between the spirit and the resurrection of Christ helps clarify the "spirits in prison" text 1pe0318. 16 - Spirit itself beareth The assurance of adoption is peace with God ph0407. It is not a strange sensation pr1412. Satan counterfeits the things of God. We know truth only by testing it by God's word is0820. Compare ga0406. |
| .17
¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together.
.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. |
17,18 - Sufferings Consider Moses de3404. |
| .22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together
until now.
.23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. .24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. |
22
- Creation ... travaileth It is in labor as a woman about
to give birth. In the same way we long for "the redemption
of our body. God will one day physically save us from this world
of suffering and death.
23 - Redemption ... body At the coming of Christ, we will be restored 1co1553. |
| .26
¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. .28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. |
.28 - All things What a magnificent promise. See ph0411. |
| .29
¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. |
29
- Foreknow From proginosko,
"to know ahead of time." See the word at ac2605,
ro1102,
1pe0120,
2pe0317.
God knows all things he0413,
ac1518.
30 - Predestinate Or "mark off before hand." See how the word is translated in ac0428 and 1co0207. God saw all humanity and committed His life for their salvation before the beginning of the world re0318. He saw that not all would accept the gift jn0111., he0203, |
| .31
¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can
be against us?
.32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? .33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. .34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. |
31 - If God be for us "If God be resolved and engaged to bring us through, all our enemies must be His; and 'Who would set the briers and thorns against Him in battle? He would go through them. He would burn them together' (Isa 27:4). What strong consolation is here! Nay, but the great Pledge of all has already been given...." (JFB Commentary) |
| .35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
.36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. .37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. .38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
36
- From ps04422.
38,9 - Neither death ... able to separate us We can sense the excitement and conviction of Paul in expressing this beautiful truth. God would send every angel in heaven to the defense of the contrite soul rather than to let him or her fall. Compare ro1408. The text does not say that He removes our free will to choose to leave or that no saved person will so choose. 38 - Principalities From archai which may describe civil as well as spiritual leadership. |
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