Verse By Verse Through Romans

Chapter Eight

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

• Therefore ties us backwards as we contrast carnality under the Law of Moses (Romans 7:1-25) with what we will see in this chapter.
• We have read in chapter five about condemnation (Romans 5:16-21).
• Paul clarified in chapter six that grace was not a license for sin (Romans 6:1-2).
• Jesus did what the Law could not (Romans 8:3).
• The condemnation which was under the Law (Galatians 3:10-11) does not occur to those in Christ (John 5:24-29 and Romans 3:24).
• So, who are those in Christ? How does one get “in Christ?” See: Romans 6:3-7, Romans 12:4-5, I Corinthians 1:2, and Galatians 3:26-29
• Those who do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).
• Contextually, walking after the Spirit is contrasted with walking in the carnal Law of Moses (Romans 8:4).
• We will be also talking about the direct work of the Spirit on those in Rome as we work through this chapter (Romans 8:11-16).
• Some use this verse to say that a Christian cannot fall away. That once you are in Christ, condemnation can no longer happen. That is clearly, from the Scriptures, a false conclusion (Luke 8:1-15, John 6:60-66, Acts 8:12-24, I Corinthians 9:24-27, I Corinthians 10:1-12, Galatians 1:6-9, Galatians 3:1-3, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:7-9, I Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 3:12-13, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-38, Hebrews 12:15-17, II Peter 2:20-22, II John 1:8, Revelation 2:1-7, Revelation 2:12-29, Revelation 3:14-22, and Revelation 22:18-19).

• The law of the Spirit of life in Christ is a contrast from the carnal commandments of old. We see this in the priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 7:14-19).
• The words Jesus spake, they are spirit and life (John 6:63).
• Jesus brought freedom from sin and the Law (John 8:31-38 and Galatians 5:1).
• Both the Law and sin bring forth death without Jesus (Galatians 2:16 and Romans 6:23). Remember, the two tie together (Romans 7:5).

• The law could not (Acts 13:38-39, Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:21, and Hebrews 10:1-18).
• Weak through the flesh (Romans 7:5, Romans 7:11, Galatians 4:3, and Hebrews 7:16).
• God sent forth His Son in the flesh (Romans 1:3, Romans 9:1-5, Galatians 4:4-5, and I John 4:10-14).
• To deny Jesus came in the flesh is to be a deceiver and antichrist (II John 1:7).
• In the likeness of sinful flesh does NOT mean He came in sin or ever literally became sin (Hebrews 4:14-16, I Peter 2:21-22, and I John 3:5).
• Condemned sin in the flesh (I John 3:8).
• Christ is the end of the Law of Moses (Romans 10:4).
• The righteousness of the Law was fulfilled by what was promised under the Law (i.e. Jeremiah 31:31-34) being fulfilled in the first century (Hebrews 8:1-13).
• Thus, the seed promises fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16) and those whom are the beneficiaries.
• The beneficiaries are those who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (repeated statement from Romans 8:1).

• To live after the flesh is to surrender oneself to the flesh rather than putting such desires to death (Romans 8:12-13). As we saw in verse one (Romans 8:1).
• When one is reborn in Christ, that is supposed to change (John 3:1-6 and Romans 6:3-14).
• In a context about false teachers, the Holy Spirit had Peter write about those that walk after the flesh (II Peter 2:10).
• Think of “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16; 5:25) without getting lost in the “Spirit” part of this. Think as you would we thinking about walking in good works, love, wisdom, His commandments, the light, and the truth (Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 5:2, Colossians 4:5, I John 1:1-7, II John 1:6, and III John 1:4).
• To mind earthly things is to end up being destroyed (Philippians 3:18-19).
• Think of the instruction to set one’s affection [same word translated here as “mind”; Strong’s # 5426] on things above (Colossians 3:1-4).

• We will talk about how the carnal mind is against God in the next verse (Romans 8:7).
• In chapter six, we read about those in Rome who served sin in the past having no spiritual fruit, just the end result of death (Romans 6:21-23).
• If one sows to the flesh, corruption is what is reaped (Galatians 6:7-9).
• Think about the process from which sin occurs (James 1:14-15).
• The carnal mind does not grasp spiritual things (I Corinthians 2:1-3:3).
• The contrast of the carnal mind is the converted mind (Ephesians 4:17-24).
• The contrast of carnal mindedness bringing forth death is that the spiritual mind is life and peace (John 6:63, Romans 8:2, Romans 8:10, Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6-8).
• Think about the Jews in Rome that wanted to cling to the carnal law (II Corinthians 3:5-18).

• Why are those carnally minded heading to death? Because…
• The carnal mind is enmity [hostility; by implication a reason for opposition: - enmity, hatred; Strong’s # 2189] against God. Think about the mind that is carnally focused (Genesis 6:5-7, Jeremiah 4:14, Proverbs 21:27, and Colossians 1:21).
• The carnal mind does not bring itself into subjection to God (Colossians 2:18-23).
• God requires submission; obedience (John 14:21-24, John 15:9-10, James 4:7, II John 1:9, and Revelation 22:14).
• He is revealing here what keeps people from being submissive to Him. The carnal mind keeps people from submitting to Him (Matthew 12:33-35).
• The next verse further states the problem with carnal mindedness.

• To be in the flesh or in the spirit (John 3:1-6).
• Tied to the mind (Romans 8:5-7), it is all about where one’s focus is (Colossians 3:1-17).
• Where does one’s affections lay (I John 2:15-17)?
• There is a contrast between being of God and of the world (John 15:18-19, John 17:6-16, Romans 12:1-2, I Corinthians 7:31-34, II Corinthians 7:9-10, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 2:4-8, James 4:4, and I John 4:1-6).

• The figurative indwelling of the Father, Son, and Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16-17, II Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 4:6, I John 3:24, and I John 4:12-16; cf. John 14:6-10).
• Or, if one is not spiritually minded, sin dwelling in that person (Romans 7:17-20).
• Actions tell who is in someone. For example, Satan was in Judas (John 13:21-28).
• We must be cautious in taking Scriptures about the work of the Holy Spirit out of their contexts. There is a sense in which the Spirit was “received” in the work of divine revelation (I Corinthians 2:12-13). This guidance was not applicable to all Christians. The Apostles, prophets, etc. had the Spirit guiding them in this manner (John 16:1-13, Acts 2:4, and II Peter 1:20-21). This direct operation of the Spirit in revelation was not done through men to men (Galatians 1:11-12).
• There is the point of the anointing tied to the Spirit (I John 2:27). “Anointing” is the same thing as in I John 2:20 that was translated there as “unction” (KJV; Strong’s # 5545). How, is simple (Acts 8:5-24; cf. Acts 5:32).
• Christ in you (II Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17, and Colossians 1:27).

• The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (I Peter 3:18).
• Dwell in you [see notes on verse 10. God, in all three persons, dwells in the faithful figuratively as the faithful dwells in God too] (John 14:17 and II Timothy 1:14).
• Remember that one of the evidences for first century Christians, before God’s word was fully revealed, was being sealed with the Spirit and the outward evidence that produced (Ephesians 1:13-14; cf. Acts 19:1-7 and Galatians 3:1-5). The Spirit ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING APART FROM THE WORD OF GOD (Romans 8:16).
• As Jesus was raised, the mortal bodies of the faithful will too (I Corinthians 15:20-22 and II Corinthians 4:14).
• This was not the promised under the Old Law (Galatians 3:1-5).

• In light of the aforementioned information, the debt is not to the flesh to live after the flesh (Galatians 5:16-26 and I Peter 4:1-2).
• With that, how could one be indebted to a carnal law and way of living which serving the Law of Moses would be (Galatians 5:3-4)?
• What did Jesus say to those who wanted to fill their belly (John 6:63)?

• Living after the flesh (Romans 8:1). Which is exactly what living under the Law of Moses was like (Romans 8:3; cf. Hebrews 7:16).
• The death that comes by living after the flesh (Romans 6:23 and Revelation 21:8).
• So, put that to death (Colossians 3:1-17).
• Even Gentiles once served the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:1-3).

• There is a literal sense in which some were led by the Spirit (Exodus 31:1-11, Exodus 35:30-35, Matthew 10:16-20, John 14:26, John 16:13, Acts 16:1-10, II Peter 1:20-21, and I John 2:20; 2:27).
• There was and is also being led by the Spirit by means of following the revealed word (John 6:63, I Corinthians 2:9-16, and Ephesians 3:1-5).
• Being the Sons of God (II Corinthians 6:14-18, Galatians 3:26-29, and I John 3:1-3).

• Those who had received the Spirit literally (Acts 8:12-24).
• As noted before, this was to fear (Hebrews 2:14-18).
• The adoption (Galatians 4:1-5 and Ephesians 1:1-5).
• Crying Abba Father (Galatians 4:6).

• See notes on vs. 11. The seal (II Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 4:30). This was their evidence (I John 4:13-16).
• This is direct work between the Spirit of God and the spirit within man. It was the Spirit directly testifying (John 15:26).
• Before they were taught of God to know the children of God in contrast to the children of the devil (I John 2:29-3:10), the work of the Spirit was the evidence.

• For them, if the Spirit confirmed their being the children of God (Romans 8:14-16), they could also know they were joint-heirs with Christ (John 12:26, John 14:1-3, and I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
• Instead of Jesus being selfish, being like the older brother (Luke 15:11-32), He died to reconcile the lost to the Father. Then He shares the inheritance.
• If the children of God suffer with Christ (Matthew 5:10-12 and II Timothy 2:12).

• Acts 20:22-24, II Corinthians 4:1-5:10, Hebrews 11:8-16, and Hebrews 12:1-3
• Whatever it is on earth, how could it compare to eternal life? Eternal life is the promise (I John 2:25).

• The creature is the creation [Strong’s # 2937] as translated in other verses (Mark 10:6 and Romans 1:20). That is, the people (Mark 16:15).
• “Earnest expectation” is: “anxious and persistent expectation” (Thayer; Strong’s # 603).
• Saints should be “hasting” [eagerly awaiting] the return of Christ (II Peter 3:9-14).
• The simplicity of these verses is that the creation should be looking forward to what’s next when there is the change of the body into the incorruptible and the redemption of the physical body (I Corinthians 15:50-58).
• Looking forward, as the next verses will prove out, to our hope (Titus 2:13)

• Faith and hope are not based upon what can be seen (II Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 11:1).
• The hope is salvation to come (I Thessalonians 5:8).
• That comes in the end (I Peter 1:1-9).
• For that hope is in Heaven (Colossians 1:5).
• This comes back to eternal life (Titus 1:1-3).
• So, one must hold on till the end (Hebrews 3:1-6).

• The text is coming back to the work of the Holy Spirit directly among the saints in Rome (Romans 8:14-16).
• “Likewise” that is, in being like hope which is not seen, the Spirit that is not seen (John 3:6-8).
• “Infirmities” [ἀσθένεια; Strong’s # 769] is also translated “sickness” (John 11:4), “diseases” (Acts 28:9), and “weakness” (I Corinthians 2:3).
• The help the Spirit was giving was therefore in relation to healing physical problems, which was a miracle (I Corinthians 12:9). *Note what such healing was called when the lame man was able to walk (Acts 4:22; cf. Acts 3:1-10).
• Such was temporary (I Corinthians 12:1-13:13).
• The lack of knowing how to pray was aided by the Spirit. Consider also the spiritual gifts at play in prayer in the first century (I Corinthians 14:13-17).
• The Spirit also made intercession in prayer [more on this in the next verse]. So, think about how that explains other Scriptures (Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 1:20).

• He that searcheth the hearts is in reference to God (Genesis 6:5, I Chronicles 28:9, Psalms 44:21, Acts 8:21, and I John 3:20-21).
• Catch this though, through this verse (and the previous verse) we see the Spirit’s work in revealing what is in the heart of man. The Holy Spirit as an intercessor (Ephesians 2:18).
• We will also see, in this same context, Jesus as an intercessor (Romans 8:34). The same was said of Moses (Exodus 32:30-35) and Elijah in the past (Romans 11:1-5).
• The Spirit intercedes according to the will of God, which refers to the Father, as He is the overall head (I Corinthians 11:3; cf. John 5:20-30).
• Remember when Jesus was talking to the Apostles that He established the Spirit would guide them according to His [Jesus] and the Father’s will (John 16:1-15; cf. Hebrews 2:1-4).

• This is not then or now a promise for things to go well in one’s physical life. Simple logic reveals that. The immediate and overall context proves that out as well (Romans 8:35-39; cf. Romans 5:1-4 and Romans 12:14).
• The working out for good is all about what is to come in eternity (John 14:1-3, II Corinthians 4:7-5:10, I Peter 1:1-9, and I Peter 3:12-13).
• It is certain that the faithful have and will suffer through things in the flesh in both what is common to man (I Corinthians 10:13) as well as things we suffer because we are in the faith (Matthew 5:10-12, II Thessalonians 1:3-12, II Timothy 3:12, and Revelation 2:10).
• Those who love God (John 14:21, I John 2:3-6, and I John 5:1-3).
• Called (II Thessalonians 2:14) according to His purpose (II Timothy 1:9-12; cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 and Revelation 4:11).

• “For” ties us back to the conclusion of the previous verse “to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
• God knew beforehand, according to His purpose, who would be conformed to the image of Jesus. Think about how the Jews viewed Gentiles (Acts 15:1 and Galatians 2:12), but how God foreknew, predetermined, that the Gentiles could be saved (Ephesians 1:3-12; 2:1-17; cf. Romans 3:29-30).
• What God preordained was before the foundation of the world (I Corinthians 2:7).
• Think about the phrase “image of His Son” (Romans 13:14, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, and I John 2:3-6). How this applies, by extension, to the Father (II Corinthians 4:4).
• Jesus, the image of the invisible God, as the firstborn (Colossians 1:12-18).
• Jesus among many brethren (Matthew 12:46-50 and Hebrews 2:9-18).

• They (saints in Rome) where among the called (Romans 1:6).
• Not only the Jews (Romans 9:23-24).
• Being justified, they were heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).
• Glory - not only to the Jews in Christ (Romans 2:10 and I Thessalonians 2:12).

• The context is going to bear out that this does not mean God keeps His people from facing physical persecution, etc.
• There is a peace of mind of knowing that we have a Father who cares for our especially in regard to our immortal souls (Psalms 118:6-8, John 10:27-30, and I John 5:11-13).

• The evidence that you can trust in God is in what God has done already. That is, He has shown His love by sacrificing Jesus (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-10, and I John 4:9-10). Why would God invest so heavily if He was not willing to give what the sacrifice offered?
• Jesus died for “us all” (John 1:29, Titus 2:11-14, I John 2:1-2, and I John 4:14).
• He is faithful that promised (Hebrews 10:23).
• The contrast can be Scripturally made too. Based upon God’s judgment before what would make think He would not bring damnation on the unjust (Hebrews 10:26-31 and II Peter 2:1-9).

• God justifies (Romans 3:24-30).
• Who could lay a charge [accuse] one whom God has justified (Romans 14:4-13 and James 4:11-12; cf. Isaiah 33:22)?

• To further the point in Romans 8:33, the question if it is Christ doing the condemning is clear. Jesus will judge according to the will of the Father (Matthew 25:31-46, John 5:19-29, Acts 10:38-42, Romans 2:16, II Corinthians 5:10, and II Timothy 4:1).
• The chapter started off showing those in Christ are NOT condemned (Romans 8:1).
• Jesus who is risen and is at the right hand of God (I Peter 3:18-22).
• Jesus intercedes (Isaiah 53:1-12, Hebrews 7:22-25, Hebrews 9:24, and I John 2:1-2; cf. John 17:20-24 and Hebrews 4:14-16).

• The question is answered here and down through verse thirty-nine.
• The Good Shepherd [Jesus] doesn’t give place for anyone or anything to separate us from Him (John 10:1-30 and Hebrews 13:5-6).
• Tribulation doesn’t separate the faithful from the love of Christ (Acts 14:22).
• Distress doesn’t separate the faithful from the love of Christ (II Corinthians 12:10).
• Persecution doesn’t separate the faithful from the love of Christ (Luke 6:22-23, II Corinthians 4:8-11, and II Timothy 3:12).
• Famine doesn’t separate the faithful from the love of Christ (Acts 11:27-30 and I Corinthians 4:11-16).
• Nakedness or peril doesn’t separate the faithful from the love of Christ (II Corinthians 11:26-27; cf. II Timothy 4:6-8).
• Being put to death, sword or otherwise, doesn’t separate the faithful from the love of Christ (Revelation 2:13).
• So, don’t think that something bad happening to you is an indicator that God has left you (Luke 13:1-5).

• As it is written (Psalms 44:22).
• History tells the story (I Kings 18:3-4, II Chronicles 24:19-22, Nehemiah 9:26, Luke 11:47, Acts 7:52, I Thessalonians 2:14-16, etc.).
• Jesus did not present any false promises regarding what saints would face (Matthew 5:10-12 and Matthew 23:34), even specifically to His Apostles (John 15:18-23 and John 16:1-3).

• In all the bad that can happen, saints are MORE than conquerors [a decisive victory] through Christ (Matthew 16:24-27, I Corinthians 15:54-58, I Peter 5:10, I John 2:25, and I John 5:11-13).
• There is no way to the Father but through Christ (John 14:6 and Acts 4:10-12).

• This verse is a continuation of things discussed earlier (Romans 8:35). The point here is that nothing on earth or in Heaven that can separate the faithful (Romans 8:28; cf. John 14:15) from God.
• Paul, the penman of this letter (Romans 1:1), is persuaded of what he is teaching by inspiration. As we see he writes at other times in other contexts (Acts 26:26, Romans 14:14, Romans 15:14, II Corinthians 4:8-14, Philippians 1:25, II Timothy 1:5, and II Timothy 1:8-12).
• How can one keep themselves in the love of God (John 14:21-24, John 15:9-10, I John 2:3-6, I John 5:2-3, and II John 1:6)?
• The only person that can separate you from God is you (Isaiah 59:1-2, John 3:36, Galatians 5:4, II John 1:9-11, and Jude 1:21).
• Even if an angel from Heaven where to approach a person, it is upon the individual not to receive anything that is erring (Galatians 1:6-9).