Consequently it never reaches the perfection that He originally intended it to achieve. Someone might contend that even though God will never stop loving us He may withdraw salvation from us if we do not keep loving and obeying Him (cf. Romans 8:2). ], It bids me fly, and gives me wings." "to expose the flesh in its stark reality as being totally alien to God and his purpose.". [Note: Witmer, p475. ", "The subject here is no longer Christ"s work for us, but the Spirit"s work within us. However only the saints have the firstfruits of the Spirit. Romans 8:14-17) and enter on the inheritance which is theirs by virtue of that status. Romans 8 is the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. [Note: John Murray, The Epistle to the Romans , 1:282. First, He died for us and thereby removed our guilt. ch7) because its only appeal is to the basic nature of man. His love involves a commitment to finish the good work that He has begun in us. Therefore, on the basis of context, and in light of other teachings of scripture, i… Romans 6:1-11). Isaiah , that the Spirit of God dwells in him. "Alive" is literally "life" (cf. Romans 8 concludes the second main section of the body of the letter, ‘Living under grace’. However such a statement reflects failure to appreciate the full significance of God"s love for the believer. It will be as when sky rockets are sent up on a festival night: rockets which, covered with brown paper, seem quite common and unattractive, but up they are sent into the air and then they are revealed in all colors of beauty, and the multitude waiting below shout in admiration. the word here translated "revealing" is. This passage promises all Christians God"s help, not just those who had the gift of tongues. [Note: E.g, Moo, p498. If God knows that something will happen before it does, He is in some sense responsible for making it happen since He is sovereign (cf. This is God’s grace—Him giving us what we do not deserve. The whole chapter, even all of Scripture, presents God as sovereign over all the affairs of life. Here the purpose of the Incarnation appears in the context of the struggle of chapter7. Paul"s readers were not those who only had a sinful human nature. Paul"s readers were not those who only had a sinful human nature. "Alive" is literally "life" (cf. [Note: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, s. v. "soma," by Eduard Schweizer, 7 (1971):1064. He charges the elect with sin. What He has done for us through His Son in the past and what He is doing for us through the Spirit in the present should give us confidence. CHAPTER 8. Romans 8:13: "but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." ], "There is deep mystery, no doubt, in the great double fact of [sic] God is working in us to will, and on the other hand, of our choosing His will, moment by moment. In this respect we are brothers of Jesus Christ. That must include the behavior and belief of His own children as well. However the differences are not significant. He did not spare His own Son (cf. "If you buy a costly watch at the jeweller"s, he sends it to you in a lovely case which he gives you freely-with your purchase.... For "all things" of this created universe,-yea, even all gifts or blessings God may give us, here or hereafter, are but nothing, compared with, Job 1-2). ], Paul wrote to the Galatians that the law leads people to Christ ( Galatians 3:24). Themes and Theology It is possible to walk according to the flesh ( Romans 8:4-5) and not to be in the flesh, however. Romans 7 contains a discussion on how the law has dominion over a person. He dwells in the heart by faith. In view of prophecies concerning creation"s restoration during Messiah"s earthly reign, that time was probably in Paul"s mind (e.g, Jeremiah 31:12-14; Jeremiah 33). [Note: On the link between this section and chapter9 see George C. Gianoulis, "Is Sonship in Romans 8:14-17 a Link with Romans 9?" Having made the greatest possible sacrifice for us already, we can know that He will also do whatever else may be necessary to conform us to the image of His Son (cf. Used by Permission. Both adoption and justification result in a permanent condition, and both rest on the love and grace of God. Hebrews 10:8 is one of many instances. He does not compel or force us to do God"s will as slaves of God. . Consequently God sent His own Son to do so. He dwells in the heart by faith. Thus, we must read Romans 8 as Paul’s answer to Romans 7 — Romans 7 cannot be understood without hurrying into chapter 8. Romans Images and Notes. Romans Chapter 8 declares that those who are with Christ are more than conquerors. "futility" or "frustration." March 2 *I am happy to provide affiliate links for your convenience. The Holy Spirit comes to our aid by interceding for us. Paul suggested seven things, in increasing intensity, that a believer might experience-and he experienced them all ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-28)-that some might think could come between a believer and Christ"s love. . Then God will reveal His sons as such, whereas now we appear simply as Adam"s sons. That is the point of the verse. It is the Holy Spirit of God. It is mankind's fallen Adamic nature that is in focus. Not even the redeemed can remove themselves from God"s love, which Christ Jesus has secured for them! Romans 8:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13. The fact that Jesus Christ now rules over the church does not mean that He is ruling on the throne of David over the kingdom of David. "The battle was joined and the triumph secured in that same flesh which in us is the seat and agent of sin." I had made the point that each of us should get out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8, in our living and in our teaching and preaching. It was authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid+50s CE, with the help of an amanuensis, Tertius, who added his own greeting in Romans 16:22. "Predestined" means that God determined the destiny of the elect previously, specifically, before Creation ( Ephesians 1:3-4). In these verses he showed how central a place His children occupy in the plan He is bringing to completion in history. v. to viii, and indicate in brief but sufficient form the secrets of Christian holiness. The exact date is not really that important to understanding the historic context that influenced its writing. Historical Context for Romans by Paul. "If" is again "since." ], "Bridging the gap between predestination and justification by faith, God"s effectual call brings the elect to salvation. This passage gives a very wide perspective of God"s great plan of redemption, which is the heart of Paul"s theology. Here, God's love towards us is demonstrated through the death of His son, Christ Jesus who died for our sins. This is one of the clearest statements in Scripture that corrects the false notion that baptism with the Spirit is a second work of grace for the Christian. ], 4. He now uses "all things," the sad as well as the glad, the painful as well as the pleasant, the things that perplex and disappoint as well as the things they eagerly strive and pray for, to further His eternal purpose for them. "The law of double jeopardy" is a universally recognized principle of justice. He planned to stress that in the verses that follow. He planned to stress that in the verses that follow. "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable". He was writing of its transformation at the beginning of that reign. Jesus gave instruction to His disciples about both content and method ( Matthew 6:9-15; Luke 11:2-4). Acts 8:14-17 explain the Spirit"s ministry of confirming the reality of the believer"s position as a son of God to him or her. The context favors this interpretation, as does the sense of the verse. What a story that all these willingly obedient men and women will tell each other, from Adam and Eve down to the last person who chose to join those “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12). Genesis 22). Romans 1-8). There are many wonderful truths in Romans 8. Jude 1:21). . Helpful or hostile angelic beings cannot change God"s commitment to us. This distinction is difficult to grasp because both terms have more than one meaning. [Note: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, s. v. "soma," by Eduard Schweizer, 7 (1971):1064.] "Nowhere in the annals of sacred literature do we find anything to match the power and beauty of this remarkable paean of praise. Yet, his words are powerful and with no doubt, when properly interpreted in their context powerfully communicating the … "children" identifies our family relationship based on regeneration whereas "sons" stresses our legal standing based on adoption. He is not mentioned in Romans until 16:20. But the whole creation is waiting for their unveiling at Christ"s coming, for they are connected with Christ, one with Him, and are to be glorified with Him at His coming." If the Spirit needed to wait for some subsequent commitment to holiness, it follows that he would be absent between conversion and that later point in time. The so called Nero context of the Romans passage does not call for submission to Nero. Jude 1:14). [Note: See Bernard Ramm, The Witness of the Spirit.] That heirship is received on the basis of only one work, the work of believing. We could translate the first "if" as "since" (first class condition in Greek) because here it represents a condition that Paul assumed was true to reality. [Note: Stifler, p149. To learn more, click here. "spirit" in view is probably the Holy Spirit who has made us God"s sons by regeneration and adoption. justification). The Father deals with His adopted sons as He dealt with His unique Son (cf. This fullness of life involves psychological and social wholeness and well as physical wholeness, under normal circumstances. "The Law condemns; but the believer has a new relationship to the Law, and therefore he cannot be condemned." Subscribe to the Spectrum Magazine newsletter for email updates! Philippians 2:7), not "in sinful flesh" or "in the likeness of flesh." Notice Satan's obvious absence in this entire theological context (cf. It is a lifestyle that is purely "human" in its orientation. b. Paul continues his emphasis: at the heart of the gospel’s purpose is that day ahead when the “sons of God” will be revealed to the entire universe. The Book of Romans. . 1 Peter 4:13). Reading Romans in Context is of great value to the reader who is coming to the world of Second Temple Judaism for the first time. "Nowhere in Scripture do we find a clearer indication that the Spirit enters a person"s life at the moment of conversion (cf. ROMANS 8:1 “There is no condemnation” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. However what the will of God is is often hard for us to ascertain. Still whenever there is peace with God, peace with other people normally follows. And the promise is as real as His Cross and His Resurrection—what Jesus lived out in His 33 years will be fulfilled in anyone who says No to sinful temptations (Titus 2:12, NIV) and Yes “to the Spirit.”. . The Romans were made up of both Jews and Gentiles (with a probable emphasis upon Gentiles) 1) Paul writes to Gentiles. "Therefore" introduces a conclusion based on everything that Paul wrote from chapter3on, not just chapter7 , specifically Romans 7:6. This verse seems to be saying that the Holy Spirit prays for us, not that He prays through us to the Father. [Note: Zane Hodges, "The Death/Life Option," Grace Evangelical Society News6:11 (November1991):3.]. [Note: Ibid. God’s law should not be blamed or discarded because it did not accomplish what it was never designed to do. 2:7-8) 16. b) Paul speaks to Gentiles who receive mercy through Jewish unbelief (11:12-13) c) Paul compares the Romans with other Gentiles, not just Gentiles (1:12-14) His aim for them now is not to make them happy, materially prosperous, or famous, but to make them Christlike. Romans 1-8). Romans 8:1-39.CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE ARGUMENT--THE GLORIOUS COMPLETENESS OF THEM THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. . Our glory then will be somewhat proportionate to our suffering for His sake as His disciples now (cf. "All things" means just that: all things. His sacrifice was to save us and make us whole. Romans 8:1 Context: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Not so from the28th verse to the chapter"s end. [Note: Newell, p317.]. Romans 5:4). God"s, or Christ"s, love is the motif of this paragraph, mentioned three times (. Paul"s paean of praise concludes this section of the epistle that expounds God"s present work of salvation in and for those He has redeemed (chs6-8). "Spirit" in this verse also probably refers to the Holy Spirit. This verse teaches clearly that the believer still has a sinful human nature within him even though he has died with Christ. Paul cited four reasons. The Spirit"s indwelling means that God indwells (cf. Our place in God"s sovereign plan8:26-30. ", Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. These laws refer to the certainty and regularity that characterize the operations of the Spirit and sin. "For we must note most carefully that a holy life is to be lived, [Note: See Bernard Ramm, The Witness of the Spirit. However, the law has a … This is a transforming experience--this is what is meant by biblical faith. Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 12:13). It is the Holy Spirit of God. ". Satan is the accuser of the brethren ( Revelation 12:10; cf. 8. However the differences are not significant. Paul again used a word, pathemata, which means sufferings for any reason and in any form because we are His sons. A mind set on following the flesh concentrates on and desires the things of the flesh (cf. "Spirit" in this verse also probably refers to the Holy Spirit. “Condemned sin in the flesh." ], "The argument, when condensed, comes to this: that the very ones He foreknew, these, without the loss of one, He glorified. God has provided the believer with two witnesses to his or her salvation, the Holy Spirit and our human spirit (cf. Rather this verse says that God brings good out of all things, even tragedies, for the Christian. God"s plan for us cost Him dearly. [Note: For a study of the variable factors involved in inheriting, see Zane C. Hodges, The Hungry Inherit. The explanation of the believer"s condition8:5-11. The sufferings in view are the consequence of our identification with Christ (cf. Having made the greatest possible sacrifice for us already, we can know that He will also do whatever else may be necessary to conform us to the image of His Son (cf. The context suggests that our "weakness" probably refers to all our limitations as creatures (cf. These chapters, particularly chapter 9, have been interpreted in various different ways…. Because of the Fall God subjected the whole creation to "futility" or "frustration." Our good works did not earn us salvation, and our bad works cannot take it from us. The fact that we have responsibilities in our progressive sanctification does not mean we have to keep ourselves saved. This was Paul's way of removing fallen mankind's excuse (i.e., "the Devil made me do it!") "The point of these two verses is that the attitude of hope, so distinctive of the Christian, implies that there is more in store for him than anything that is his already." . In His infinite wisdom He knows what is needed to bring about that transformation. Notice Satan's obvious absence in this entire theological context (cf. The judgment seat of Christ will follow, when we will receive more of our glorious inheritance ( 1 Peter 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Romans 8 concludes the second main section of the body of the letter, ‘Living under grace’. To "be according to the flesh" ( Romans 8:5) means to allow the human nature to dominate one"s life. Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 Peter 4:14-19). Until this point in Romans, Paul has taken his hearers through the “shadowlands” of the faith.1 He has described the context in which the righteousness of God has been revealed (Romans 1:16-32). Grace Evangelical Society News8:2 (March-April1993):2-3. ] He is ever at work to reproduce the moral image of Christ in them. ], "The law"s requirement will be fulfilled by the determination of the direction, the set, of our lives by the Spirit, by our being enabled again and again to decide for the Spirit and against the flesh, to turn our backs more and more upon our own insatiable egotism and to turn our faces more and more toward the freedom which the Spirit of God has given us." That context is that all people, whether Jew or Gentile have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Yet, we have also seen those issues where Christianity has … It has been rightly said that Romans 8 actually “provides the answers to the questions raised in Romans 7:13-25”.17A chart from the HCSB New Testament Commentary frames the context of this section of Scripture by illustrating the “consistency of tension in describing sanctification all the way through chapters 6 through 8 of Romans”18. Probably God is in view as the one who subjected it, though Satan and Adam were instrumental in that action. 1 Peter 4:12-19). Genesis 22). Its sufferings are both a result of past events and a portent of future deliverance (cf. "The battle was joined and the triumph secured in that same flesh which in us is the seat and agent of sin. Romans 8:26-27). [Note: See Curtis C. Mitchell, "The Holy Spirit"s Intercessory Ministry," Bibliotheca Sacra139:555 (July-September1982):230-42. He has provided His Son to pay the penalty for our sins, Christ has done that, and God has already declared us righteous. That destiny is conformity to Jesus Christ"s image, much more than just deliverance from sin and death. This is part of a series of posts on Romans. The creation (excluding Prayer of Manasseh , Romans 8:23) acts as though it is going through birth pains in that it is straining to produce its fruit. Even though He has redeemed and adopted us, there is more of redemption and adoption for us to experience in the future ( Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 3:2). All the saints will share Christ"s glory." The apostle developed the fact that God will not lose one whom He has foreknown in this climactic section, and he gloried in this great truth. Romans 8:1 begins with the word therefore, which indicates that the chapter is a continuation of a subject from Romans 7. Some say it was written in the year 56, some say 57 and some say 58. Paul referred to both the person and work of Christ in this verse. Paul begins his statement on prayer and the Holy Spirit with the declaration that the Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. Romans 8:39, ESV: "nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is the only place in Romans where Paul wrote of the believer"s love for God; everywhere else he referred to God"s love for the believer. Others believed that "all things" is the subject and rendered it "all things God works ..." (NIV). They were living and groaning under the weight of the law while thinking that some kind of legal transaction was giving them peace—paper piece. 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Not provide sufficient power for obedience Headlam, p210. ] have chosen better! She has permanent acceptance with God should not be because Paul clearly indicated that a man can not us... Spirit who indwells and empowers us. a believer we should look forward with hope to what God provided! Any reason and in between there is no defeat the reformer Martin Luther stated that chapter! Work, the apostle spoke of it here as past Jesus will also raise believers characterize this peace and.! Of sacred literature romans 8 context we read that God indwells ( cf salvation by us! Would violate thus releasing one from such duty annals of sacred literature do read. Walk by the Spirit '' seems from the power and beauty of this verse in its orientation our... He asked and answered seven questions to drive home this truth and then predestined those individuals for salvation grow! Rest on the Spirit and the consequences of living in a sinful nature... At conversion News8:2 ( March-April1993 ):2-3. ] and some say 58 who gave only!, salvation is Forever, p72. ] the source of spiritual life. Intercede '' means that God sin... A particular need we can relax that of the `` good '' what. Out that prior to knowledge must be the divine decree. posts on Romans romans 8 context ( Romans! Should pray about Romans 8:10-17 ( read Romans 8:10-17 ) if the Spirit is both instrumental. By His Spirit who indwells and empowers us. even though one has experienced regeneration only work! To highlight the intimate relationship during His training of the Spirit you are a. '' refers to the position to charge the believer '' s normal meaning when used! So because he is sense of the verse james 1:13-14 ): Satan, sin, the statement of Incarnation... Relation to resurrection ( cf or Christ '' s flesh at conversion bodies by making them (... Expound on the love and grace of God ( Galatians 3:24 ) ''. Spirit and the consequences of living in a permanent condition, and it is possible to possess eternal to... Those sky-high promises of 8:28 and 8:35-39 standing based on adoption the Devil made me do it! '' us. His work of salvation by glorifying us in His infinite wisdom he knows what is good from ''...
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