Romans8
English Standard Version
1There is for those are .
2 the of the of has the of .
3 has done what the , the , could not . By his the of and , he the ,
4in the of the might be , who the the .
5 those who the set their the of the , those who live the set their minds on the of the .
6 to set the the is , to set the the is .
7 the that is set on the is , it to ; , it .
8Those who the .
9You, , the the , if in the of . who does not the of does not to .
10 is , the is of , the is of .
11 the of him who the , he who Jesus the give who .
12So , , we , to the , to the .
13 you the you , by the you the of the , you will .
14 all are by the of of .
15 you did the of to , you have the of as sons, by we , ! !
16The with we of ,
17 , — of with , we with him in be with him.
18 I the of this are comparing the that is be .
19 the with for the of the of .
20 the was to , , of him who it,
21 the be its to and the of the of the of .
22 we the has been in the of childbirth .
23 the creation, but , the of the , as we eagerly for as sons, the of .
24 in this we were . that is . he ?
25 we for we do , it .
26 the in . we do to we , the with too deep for .
27 he who is the of the , the Spirit the to the will of .
28 we that for those all , for those who to his .
29 those he to be to the of , in order might the .
30 he , he he , he .
31 shall these ? is , can be ?
32He did his , will all ?
33 shall bring any ? It is who .
34 is to ? Jesus is the one who —more than , who was — the of , is .
35 shall the of ? Shall , , , , , , ?
36 it is , For we are being the ; we are to be .
37 , these we are more than him who .
38 I am , , things things to , ,
39 , in all , will be to the of .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The freedom of believers from condemnation. (1–9). Their privileges as being the children of God. (10–17). Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. (18–25). Their assistance from the Spirit in prayer. (26, 27). Their interest in the love of God. (28–31). Their final triumph, through Christ. (32–39).
vv1-9
Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for our souls? Those that live in pleasure are dead, 1Ti 5:6. A sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal man may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not, verse 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.
vv10-17
If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually live according to corrupt lustings, they will certainly perish in their sins, whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children; they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under, through the darkness of that dispensation. The Spirit of adoption was not then plentifully poured out. Also it refers to that spirit of bondage, under which many saints were at their conversion. Many speak peace to themselves, to whom God does not speak peace. But those who are sanctified, have God's Spirit witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. Though we may now seem to be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end.
vv18-25
The sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and but for a moment. How vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world, concerning the sufferings of this present time! Indeed the whole creation seems to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall be manifested in the glory prepared for them. There is an impurity, deformity, and infirmity, which has come upon the creature by the fall of man. There is an enmity of one creature to another. And they are used, or abused rather, by men as instruments of sin. Yet this deplorable state of the creation is in hope. God will deliver it from thus being held in bondage to man's depravity. The miseries of the human race, through their own and each other's wickedness, declare that the world is not always to continue as it is. Our having received the first-fruits of the Spirit, quickens our desires, encourages our hopes, and raises our expectations. Sin has been, and is, the guilty cause of all the suffering that exists in the creation of God. It has brought on the woes of earth; it has kindled the flames of hell. As to man, not a tear has been shed, not a groan has been uttered, not a pang has been felt, in body or mind, that has not come from sin. This is not all; sin is to be looked at as it affects the glory of God. Of this how fearfully regardless are the bulk of mankind! Believers have been brought into a state of safety; but their comfort consists rather in hope than in enjoyment. From this hope they cannot be turned by the vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We need patience, our way is rough and long; but He that shall come, will come, though he seems to tarry.
Key Words
ἄρα (ára): a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)
νῦν (nŷn): "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
οὐδείς (oudeís): not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
κατάκριμα (katákrima): an adverse sentence (the verdict)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
νόμος (nómos): law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)
πνεῦμα (pneûma): a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
Cross References
Romans 8Parallel description of the Spirit of adoption/Spirit of Christ crying out Abba, Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Directly quoted in v. 36 to establish the historic reality of suffering for God's sake.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Direct parallel on the complete exemption of the believer from divine condemnation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus declares that whoever believes has passed from death to life and avoids condemnation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Exemplifies how we are made the righteousness of God in Him, removing condemnation.
Supported by JFB
Isaac's near-sacrifice as a type of God not sparing His own Son.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The OT basis of 'It is God that justifieth' and 'Who will contend with me?'
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Crucial parallel detailing Christ's ongoing, saving work of intercession at God's right hand.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Describes what it means for believers to be structurally placed 'in Christ Jesus'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Links the 'Spirit of life' to the living water flowing from believers.
Supported by JFB
Verbal echo on the law's inability to impart life or righteousness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains the perpetual warfare and contrary desires between the flesh and the Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Associates being led by or believing in Christ with the right to become sons of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Clarifies the final redemption of our body as the climax of adoption.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the comparison of light, momentary present afflictions with eternal glory.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The foundational curse making the ground and entire creation subject to vanity.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The indwelling Spirit of God's Son crying 'Abba, Father' in our hearts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The Spirit of grace and supplications helping our inability to pray.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels God's pre-temporal election, predestination, and sovereign purpose.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Prophetic source for the manifold designations of the Holy Spirit residing in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrast between the agonizing cry of bondage to death and the deliverance in v2.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Corroborates that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrast between what the Law of Moses could not justify and what Christ did.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reinforces God 'sending His own Son' as the ultimate measure of grace.
Supported by JFB
Redemption from the law's bondage specifically to receive the adoption as sons.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The exact prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, echoed by the Spirit in believers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Believers groaning in their earthly bodies, longing to be clothed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Links Israel's hope in the Lord with waiting for full redemption.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ as the one who searches the minds and hearts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal link to God searching the heart and testing the mind.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Our calling according to His own purpose and grace before time began.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Christ as the 'firstborn' over creation and among the brethren.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
God leading His people through trials to humble them and do them good.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The necessity of entering the kingdom of God through many tribulations.
Supported by John Calvin
Immediate context showing creation's earnest expectation of the sons of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry