Romans Chapter 8: In the Spirit.
Addressing a change of nature. a born again person can act carnal but is not of the sinful flesh nature any more. [corinthian described as carnal as in babes in Christ: as in new to the things of the Spirit – mind un-renewed, in need of milk not the deep things of the Spirit. But in this chapter Paul is continuing on the subject of a change in nature Deliverance from the sinful flesh to the Spirit. He has laboured to show from what we are delivered both Jew and gentile and now to know what is available to us in the Spirit.
So when Romans 8:1 states “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirt. He is speaking of a change in Nature from the flesh ruled by sin to the Spirit. [Two natures, Old and New, .. Born Again (Born of the Spirit)] For the Law of the spirit of life in Christ has set you free from the Law of [sin & death]. What the Law could not do [due to weakness in the flesh] -> God done through Christ.What was the law not able to do? if God accomplished that through Christ then the result ought to have been the same. Then the law was meant to bring life [Rom 7:10], It was meant to break us from sin and death. But was unable through the weakness of the flesh ruled by sin. So God sent His son in the links of sinful flesh [on the account of sin] [condemned sin] in the flesh.
How did Jesus condemned sin: [By overcoming, resisting sin to the point of bloodshed.] Hebrews 12 Jesus [the heavenly Man, born of the Spirit] needed to fulfil the Law [Spiritual] – only then can the power of sin be broken in the flesh [His Flesh] – in His obedience to God, then He was able to offer Himself as blameless Sacrifice [a propitiation] for the sins of mankind.
To break the power of sin -> in the likeness of sinful flesh [He had to be made like His brethren: since the children were of flesh and blood] -> through death – He destroyed the one who had the power of death that is the devil. Without the sting of sin: death is rendered ineffective in those who believe [that they may never taste death].How did the devil get authority it was through [Sin] the sin of Adam. As long as sin reigned over man so did his authority [that is why he was called the accuser of the brethren] through sin the power of death to exercise over mankind. Jesus by dying to sin [in resistance to it] broke the power of sin and death removed the authority of the devil. That all those who believe in Him may come under the banner of His Righteousness.
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but the Spirit.
- Righteousness itself being the goal, that life may reign through righteousness not of the law but of Christ. We were not delivered through the law nor can we ever be, since the law does not provide deliverance but a life long subjection a trust in our own righteousness.
Side note: you have fallen away from grace if you by any means seek justification before God through the working of a law. That is: “I need to do this to be accepted by God.” other than faith in Christ and Him alone.
- In the Flesh: [live according the flesh set mind on the flesh]Resulting in Death
- Carnal mind: in enmity against God: Not subject to the law of God [Contrary its very nature, so is not able to do]
- Not Pleasing to God. [Without faith] [the law is not of faith, but one who does it shall live by it]
- [General concept: sinful passion alive, bearing fruit to death]
- Sin imputed through the Law. [that the law takes account of your sin not your righteousness.]
- If the nature of the flesh – then it is of the nature of sin being one with it which is death.
- In the Spirit: [live according to the Spirit set the mind on the things of the Spirit] Resulting in Life and Peace.
- [General concept: dead to sin (new nature), free from the demands of Law, in the Spirit.]
- Righteousness imputed through faith in Christ.
- If in the Spirit then it is the Nature of Christ- His Spirit we made one with Him which life.
Distinction between the Flesh: sin nature and Mortal Body: occupied there of by the Spirit.
Our bodies were dead to God just as much as our spirit was cut off from Him. It is our dead spirit, our bodies dead in sin, our minds set on the flesh. That was the sate of our being, total depravity. So God does not only seek to save our spirit, but our bodies and mind as well.
Give life to your mortal bodies: When Spirit raised Jesus He repaired the marks of His bodily affliction, the scourging, the blows and beatings that made Him unrecognisable as a man, the marks by which our healing was won. So here the Spirit will also give life to your mortal bodies is referring to the healing and wellbeing the Holy Spirit will work in us. [B.W]
When it says the Spirit will give life to your mortal bodies: That will entail health, wellbeing which you can appropriate through faith but the main aspect being, giving life to your body which was dead due to sin. This is the cleansing of the body from those things that are unclean to the presence of Him who dwells in the body with us. As Christ was raised from the dead not into His glorified body – but free from the strips and blows and free from our sins He carried. We also are raised from the body of sin, by the same One who raised Christ from the dead that we might walk in newness of life. Our Bodies made alive from sin, just as our spirit is. [This is the work of the Holy Spirit: that body is made holy, a temple of the Holy Spirit.]
First stage: You are Not in the flesh [under the dominion of sin] but in the Spirit, a new nature [Christ’s]. “IF Christ is in you the body is dead because of sin” BUT “the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” In describing “the body is dead because of sin” here he uses the words [souma for body and not flesh sarkos]: Making a distinction between the two. [Souma] describing the shell we live in and [Sarkos] as in the nature of sin: Therefore a saved person who is in the Spirit has a new nature, a Spirit of life in him yet dwells in the same body that is subject to death. Now when speaking of the body is dead because of sin, he is speaking of the body in which sin dwelt and the deeds of body were committed in. Now, Christ has come to live in our spirit. We are united with Him. If anyone joined to the Lord he is one Spirit with Him. yet our bodies being dead.
Starts the next step with BUT IF you have the Spirit that raised Christ [That is the Holy Spirit]. It does not take it for granted that The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit that raised Him form the dead. We might have the Spirit of Christ yet still walk around in body dead in sin. The Holy Spirit, as a purifying Member & the Spirit of Christ is kept distinct for the sake of our understanding.
Second Aspect: “If the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Our body which was dead in sin, is now made alive. Just as Christ body was raised our bodies are also raised by The Holy Spirit, free from sin. That is by the Spirit the deeds of the body put to death, it is cleansed from its activities, washed and sanctified. It is our mortal bodies because it is subject to natural law [a body of dust] yet no longer slave of sin. Now the body is not made alive by any working of our own, it is as much work you have put in bringing your spirit to life. But He also instructs now that He has purified us, we ought to walk in it, in the strength He has provided.
- But you were washed, but you were sanctified but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus AND by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
- but according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:-4-7
- Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess 5:23-24
What is washed and what is sanctified? It is not our spirit which is new and made in the likeness of the One who created him. But our bodies are washed from the deeds committed in it in our ignorance and is sanctified. That it may be for the Lord. “the body is for the Lord and the Lord for the body.”
General Overview: When the old man dies on the cross with Christ, the body dies with it and the body of sin is buried put away in baptism. This body which is dead to sin is now raised just as Christ was, by the Holy Spirit. A new life free from sin, and its domain. Therefore the law of sin No Longer dwell in my members to make me a slave to its bedding. Christ gave our spirit life by being united with us, and our bodies are also given life by the Spirit that dwells in us.
The Summary of previous paragraphs: Therefore: we are debtors not to the flesh [Nature of Sin] – that we should live according to its dictates. [to live according to the flesh is death] BUT If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the BODY [you will live.]
Question: why say- if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live?
If we were indeed to struggle to put of sin from our body even if it was through the Spirit in order that we shall live then, our salvation would be of works and not faith. But Considering that Paul is making this statement in line with “living according to the the flesh is death.” Then we can say that he is summarising his point, that when he says by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. He is speaking of that you are no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit through Christ and if in Christ you have put the deeds of the body to death by the Spirt. And If the Spirit of Him who raised Christ dwells in you – He will give life to your mortal bodies. That is the complete package – when you depart from the flesh and enter into the Spirit, it is both your spirit and body which is renewed.
Now, you having been given strength, present your bodies in righteousness to God. But the continual aspect of the walk in this life, in a world still subject to sin and death and corruption, require the continual leading of the Holy Spirit. For as many are continually led by the Spirit of God are children of God. As in before our bodies ruled over us, Now through Him who dwells in us are made able to bring our body into subjection.
The deeds of the body:[??] in this Paul is not speaking of anger, wrath, malice or the like, for these are deeds of the soul.?? But the things that are done in the body: such as sexual immorality, drunkness, addictions, adultery or anything of the kind which is committed in the body. [Col. 3:5-7 ] Of this he teaches, that we are to put them to death through the Spirit. We are not to lament over them in struggling to overcome them on our own but [through the Spirit] that is to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in putting them to death and settings us free. Therefore it is through the Spirit you are able to overcome these conditions and not of yourselves. While speaking of anger, wrath, malice and of its kind he tells us in Colossians 3:8 that we ourselves are to put off these things. We have to endeavour to do these. May it be through the renewal of our mind through the word or fasting to subdue our flesh nevertheless the part is on our side.
The Good News is that He will do it: [It is HE Will, just as your Spirit is made righteous through Christ’s grace so will your body be given life through Him who dwells in you.]
Flee sexual immorality. EVERY sin that a man does is outside the body, but he commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:18-19
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. [Romans 12:1] now this can not be of a body which is dead in sin, but one that is brought to life, washed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Sacrifice is perfect and pure [without spot or blemish] it is not a sin riddled body we present to God but one that is washed, sanctified and made perfect by the Holy Spirit.
Here he is speaking of having being cleansed from the former things by the One who dwells in you, therefore flee this things which the Lord has made you capable to do.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage [again] to fear: [fear of punishment][Hebrews 2, through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage?] [Questions: the bondage of law?, the punishment of law [do this an you shall live], Gal [Paul the present Jerusalem is in bondage] when the law was given 3000 were put to death because its precepts were broken.
BUT the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” [but of acceptance ] The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, if children then heirs of God with Christ. If indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.Christ’s Sufferings:
- Indeed all those who seek to live godly lives will suffer persecution? 2 Timothy 3:12
- Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [1 Peter 4:1-2]
- do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you… but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you also may be glad with exceeding joy. [1 Peter 4:12-13]
For the present suffering is not worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us. For creation itself waits with ernest expectation of the revealing of the children of GOD, that itself my be delivered form the bondage of corruption [into the glorious liberty of the children of God.]
- Creation to be saved from death, decay and destruction that has plagued it, since the fall of Adam [Cursed is the earth for your sake… Both thorns and thistles it shall bring for you,] [Genesis 3:17-18]
- It was subjected, not willingly but because of Him who subjected it in [hope]; [the hope that is; creation itself will also be redeemed at the presentation of the children of God, in their glorious liberty.]
Groaning as in Longing, Yearning: The Birth Pangs of Creation. For the whole creation groans [yearns] and labours with birth pangs [together until now ] – [ labour pangs – which Jesus describes of the coming end – The return of the Lord.
- And there will be famines, pestilence and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of the birth pains. Matthew 24:7-8
- And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. these are the beginning of the birth pains. Mark 13:7-8
- And there will be great earthquakes in various places and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights great signs from haven. … And there will be signs in sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s heart failing them from fear and expectation of those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of haven will be shaken. Luke 21:11, 25-27]
The Groaning of the first-fruits. We also who have the first fruits of the Spirit [who have received the deposit, the seal of the Holy Spirit] – Even we ourselves groan within ourselves eagerly waiting for the adoption, the Redemption of our body.
- The first fruits [Ephesians 1:13 you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.] EVEN we are [Groaning as in Longing, Yearning] to be redeemed from this mortal body and be clothed in our heavenly apparel – in parallel to the groaning of all creation waiting eagerly to be redeemed from corruption.
- For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the havens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from haven, if indeed, having be clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed that mortality may be swallowed up by life. [2 Corinthians 5-1-4]
The revealing of the children of God – in full manifestation in their glorious liberty.
For now the body of the saints is mortal – subject to death, decay and corruption as with creation. So they await with yearning the redemption of their body which is at the “Return of the Lord.”
- For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end. 1 Corinthians 15:22-24
- So also is the resurrection of the dead. the body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption, its sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory, it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. its sown a natural body, its raised a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
- For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we all shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. … then death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15:52-54
For we are saved in this hope: to cast of this mortal body and put on our eternal incorruptible spiritual body, in which creation is also in the very same hope as us. That itself might be set free from the curse that fell upon it.
Hope is not for what you see but for what you do not see, and we wait for it with perseverance.
Likewise [in the like manner – to the groaning of ourselves and the groaning of creation] The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses – for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought [how to]. But the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with [groanings which cannot be uttered.]
Groanings which cannot be uttered: Is not to pray in the Spirit [as tongues]. It is without words and it is the Holy Spirit that works it in us. [an inward unexpressed feeling] Tongues are composed of words though the meaning is known only to God and to whom He reveals it to. He who speaks in tongues speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands him; however in the spirit he speaks mysteries. [1 Corinthians 14:2] [but groaning can not be uttered they are not composed of words.]
Now, He [The Lord Jesus] who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is: Because He makes intercession for us, according to the will of God.
The Mind of the Spirit: The Spirit prays for us with groaning of the things we should pray for but are not able to or know how to. But The Spirit who is from God knows: For the Spirit searches all things even the depth of God…. Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10,11 This prayer which is expressed in our body with groaning though it is not composed of words or thoughts of understanding that we might make sense of it – YET He who searches hearts knows, what the mind of the Spirit is, in the prayer – because He makes intercession for us according to the will of God.
Therefore, the Spirit Himself works within us to bring to pass the will of God [His purpose] in our lives. He helps in our weakness: which is, of those things we did not know to ask for as we ought to. [consider John 17, the prayer of Jesus] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
- Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in haven… Matthew 5:11-12
- of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10
- Sufferings produce, endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope. Hope does not disappoint : because the love God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:3-5
- Rejoice in trials – that the testing of your faith produces patience – let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete. James 1:2-4
- but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of Glory and God rests upon you.Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as a faithful Creator. 2 Peter 13-14,19
The general concept being: that whatever may come into our lives, sufferings, trials, temptations whatever from it may take in each and every one, God would make it work for our benefit, for our good. [To purify and strength, to build assurance of faith and dependance on God and of glorious eternal rewards.]
For whom: He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He justified, whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him give us all things?
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect: it is God who justifies. [for their righteousness is from Me:] Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at righthand of God, who also makes intercession for us. [Their is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall Tribulation, or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness or peril, or sword]
As it is written: “For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for slaughter.” Psalm 44:22
Yet in all these things: [Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword (even though we may be slaughtered as sheep)] we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Because nothing is ever for our harm: in everything we are victorious in Christ, even when all seem to be lost and in distress we are far above it all, for God makes it work for our benefit now and also for our eternal reward.
There is no loss in Christ: “but not a hair of your head shall be lost.” Luke 21:18 Jesus, says this in the midst of persecution, betrayals, being imprisoned and brought forth before governors and judges, in the midst of being hated and their very lives being demanded of them. The Lord says: “not a hair of your head will be lost!”
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angles or principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to 11separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Bread Bait. 
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