Read the Passage: Romans 8
Listen to The Redeemed Mind Podcast: Romans 8
Flesh and Spirit (8:1–11)
Recall in Romans 7 Paul had taught that believers are “dead to the law through the body of Christ” (Rom. 7:4). Since the law no longer has judicial power over Christians, Paul now writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Note that Paul only referred to the Holy Spirit four times in Romans 1–7; yet the Spirit is mentioned twenty-two times in Romans 8. In this chapter Paul teaches that the Christian life is the work of God, for the Holy Spirit justifies and sanctifies believers. Paul refers to the flesh nine times in Romans 8, including once in every verse between Rom. 8:3–9. The idea here is that just as the flesh controls the lost man, so the Holy Spirit controls believers. So, while Christians will still grapple with temptations related to the as-yet unglorified flesh (cf. Rom. 7:14–20), they are not ultimately controlled by flesh.
Lest someone misunderstand his teaching about living or walking “according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1, 4, 5), in Rom. 8:9 Paul writes, “For you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Rom. 8:9). Therefore, living in the Spirit is not some heightened spiritual state only experienced by select Christians. Rather, when Paul refers to being in the Spirit, he is referring to the state of all true believers who are necessarily indwelt by the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19–20). This is not to say that Christians cannot “grieve the Spirit” (Eph. 4:30) or “quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). Paul’s point here is that since believers are indwelt by the Spirit, they have the resources available to not live in the flesh. Paul’s teaching that the Spirit will “give life to your mortal bodies” (Rom. 8:11) refers both to our present sanctification and to our future resurrection.
Bondage and Adoption (8:12–17)
In Rom. 8:12–17 Paul explains that since we have been redeemed by God, and indwelt by the Spirit, we are debtors to live according to the Spirit. This change in man’s ability results in Christians being “led by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:14). To be led by the Holy Spirit does not entail extra-biblical revelation. Rather, as Jesus taught, the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is, “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Christ later defined truth, as He prayed, “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). Thus, being led by the Holy Spirit entails the illumination of Scripture. Furthermore, if we have been adopted by God, then “the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). This witness is not a subjective impression, but an actual change in believers. This includes, among other things, manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22–23).
Suffering and Love (8:18–39)
Rom. 8:18 is one of the greatest verses in the Bible on suffering, as Paul writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” While we might expect Paul to next describe the future glorification of man, in Rom. 8:19–25 he teaches that the entire created order will one day be glorified. This shows the extent of Jesus’ atonement—that is, the atonement is more comprehensive than the fall. Observe Paul’s teaching in this important passage that “creation groans . . . we ourselves groan . . . the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings” (Rom. 8:22, 23, 26). The concept here is that everything and everyone realizes that sin and suffering are not right. Indeed, the fact that Holy Spirit groans ought to give us confidence that God is working in our trials and will one day vanquish sin.
In Rom. 8:31–36 Paul asks seven rhetorical questions as he revels in the joy of salvation and the love of God. With these questions Paul teaches: since God is for us, no one can be against us; God will freely give His children all things; no one can bring a legitimate charge against the elect; God has justified us; no one can condemn Christians; Christ makes intercession for believers; and nothing can separate us from God’s love. Paul sums up his teaching on sanctification with his declaration, “Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who love us” (Rom. 8:37). The structure of Paul’s teaching on sanctification in Rom. 6:1–8:39 is important. In Romans 6, Paul teaches that believers are dead to sin and slaves of God. In Romans 7, Paul describes the reality of grappling with sin. In Romans 8, Paul reminds us of our resources and identity in Christ.
Application Questions:
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of the believer? What did Jesus mean by referring to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13)?
- If believers are not ultimately controlled by the flesh, how can we resist sinful fleshly desires and temptations? Why do we fall into sin so often?
- Is the idea that Christians can experience an additional baptism (or a second blessing) of the Holy Spirit a valid biblical teaching?
- What does it mean to be led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14)? How does the Spirit “bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16)?
- When you sin, are you ever tempted to believe that God loves you less? How does your identity in Christ encourage you in your sanctification?
