8:1–17 In this chapter, Paul presents God’s solution to humanity’s enslavement to sin—the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to overcome the limitations of the flesh and live in righteousness. Only the power of God’s indwelling Spirit can free the believer from the law of sin and death (v. 2). Chapter 94: The Greatest Chapter in the Bible Romans 5–8 (Boice) Romans 8:1–11 Romans (IVP)

8:1 condemnation Refers to the penalty for sin, which is separation from God. Paul’s assertion that there is no condemnation for believers summarizes the primary message of this chapter: Christ has brought life to those who deserved death and freedom to those who were guilty under the law. This verse also mirrors Paul’s positively stated claim in 5:1: There is no condemnation for justified believers in Christ Jesus because they have peace with God.

8:2 law of the Spirit of life Refers to the authority of the Holy Spirit, who gives life and empowers believers to do what is right.

8:3 what was impossible for the law The law could not help a person overcome sin or escape the penalty for sin (see 3:20; 7:8, 11).

The Law in Paul’s Letters

in the likeness of sinful flesh Jesus became human and experienced the weakness and vulnerability of human nature to sin, yet He did not sin. On the Greek term sarx (often translated “flesh”), see note on 7:5.

he condemned sin Through Christ’s sacrificial death, God carried out His judgment upon sin, thereby breaking its power to control (Gal 1:4; 1 Pet 3:18).

in the flesh Refers to Jesus’ physical body. Jesus’ humanity was an essential part of God’s plan to fulfill the law and break the power of sin.

8:4 would be fulfilled Through the death of Christ, believers receive righteousness; through the Spirit, they are empowered to obey the essence of the law—to love (Rom 5:8; 13:8–10).

who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit Throughout this section, Paul contrasts two ways of living: The flesh leads people to oppose God, so they are unable to obey Him; the Spirit dwells within believers and empowers them to do God’s will.

Pneuma Word Study

8:5 things of the flesh Compare to the deeds of the flesh (Gal 5:19–21).

things of the Spirit Compare to the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–23).

8:6 death Refers to estrangement from God.

peace Refers to reconciliation with God (compare Rom 5:1).

8:7 mindset of the flesh Describes a mindset that opposes God—one that hates what God loves and loves what God hates.

subjected to the law of God This could refer to the law of Moses or to God’s will in general. Those who live according to the mindset of the flesh cannot align themselves positively with God’s will.

The Law in Paul’s Letters

8:8 those who are in the flesh Refers to being in the domain of the flesh—opposed to God and unable to do what pleases Him.

8:9 but in the Spirit Refers to being in the Spirit’s domain—empowered to obey God.

the Spirit of Christ Paul is talking about the same Spirit, but he changes his language here to identify Jesus with the Spirit of God (compare Phil 1:19; Gal 4:6; 1 Pet 1:11).

lives in you In Romans 7:17, Paul argued that people disobey God’s law because of the indwelling power of sin. Here, he asserts that the indwelling and empowering presence of the Spirit helps believers to resist the flesh and please God.

8:10 righteousness See note on 1:17.

8:11 the one who raised Jesus God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, working through His Spirit (Col 2:12; see note on Luke 24:6; compare note on Isa 53:10).

make alive Refers to the bodily resurrection. See Rom 1:4 and note.

your mortal bodies Refers to human bodies (see v. 10 and note; 5:12 and note; compare 6:6; 7:24). After the resurrection, these bodies will no longer be subject to death or decay (see 1 Cor 15:42–44).

8:12 obligated not to the flesh Formerly, people did not have a choice; they were under the control of sin (Rom 6:16; 7:17). Because of the indwelling Spirit, Paul declares that believers are no longer subject to the control of the flesh. They have been transferred from the realm of the flesh to the realm of the Spirit.

8:13 you live according to the flesh See note on v. 4.

deeds of the body Refers to sinful behavior, characteristic of someone living according to the flesh.

Spirit and Flesh in Paul’s Letters

8:14 led by the Spirit of God Describes living under the control and empowerment of the Spirit. Compare Gal 5:18 and note.

sons of God The Greek text associates ot ideas of divine sonship with the Church. Believers become part of God’s family by adoption (Rom 8:15), both on earth and upon glorification in the coming age.

8:15 a spirit of slavery Alludes to enslavement to sin (compare 6:6, 16–22).

Spirit of adoption The Greek phrase used here indicates that the Holy Spirit makes believers children of God (compare Gal 4:6).

Abba! Father The Aramaic word abba means “father.” Both here and in Gal 4:6 Paul presents the phrase as an expression enabled by the Spirit to affirm the believer’s place in the family of God. Paul and other Christians likely used the phrase because it reflected Jesus’ own way of talking to God (see Mark 14:36 and note).

8:16 Spirit himself confirms to our spirit The Holy Spirit makes believers aware of their new status as children of God.

8:17 heirs of God The children of God will inherit what God has promised them: eternal life (Rom 8:10–11).

fellow heirs with Christ Indicates that believers share in the same privileges as Christ.

if indeed we suffer together Probably refers to persecution, but may include general hardship. Compare Phil 1:29; 1 Thess 1:6. See note on 1 Thess 2:14.

8:18–30 In this passage, Paul addresses the tension between present suffering and the hope of future glory, explaining why the redemption of the children of God and creation itself is only partially fulfilled. Paul asserts that even creation has been subjected to pain and suffering through the presence of sin (Rom 8:20–22). The one cause for hope in present circumstances is the certainty of future glory. The created order will one day be liberated from death and decay (vv. 20–21). Romans 8:18–30 Romans (IVP) Romans 8:18–30 NICNT Ro

8:18 sufferings of the present time Earthly suffering is not an eternal reality. In v. 17, Paul’s reference to suffering together with Christ likely alludes to persecution for confessing faith in Christ. Here, the present sufferings may refer to more than persecution and encompass the full range of human experience: sickness, injury, natural disaster, financial loss, poverty, hunger, and death.

Suffering

glory The Greek word used here, doxa, points to the transformation of the body through resurrection (see 1 Cor 15:42–44; Col 3:4).

Doxa Word Study

8:19 revelation of the sons of God Refers to the final unveiling of God’s family of glorified humanity—those glorified through faith in Christ. There may also be a hint of the unveiling at the apocalypse, as Jesus returns with His “holy ones” (compare Zech 14:5; Rev 19:11–16), a term applied in the ot to both divine beings loyal to Yahweh and believers (Dan 7:21–22, 25, 27; 8:24). See note on Rom 8:14.

8:20 subjected to futility Sin affected more than humanity’s relationship to God; creation itself was spoiled and suffered decay (v. 21).

the one who subjected it Usually identified as God, acting in response to the sin of Adam and Eve (compare Gen 3:17–19).

8:21 glorious freedom Creation will benefit from the freedom afforded to the children of God through Christ.

8:22 groans together and suffers agony The created order is in turmoil. Like God’s people, it is longing for Christ’s return, when He will liberate the world from death and decay (see Rev 21:1 and note). This restoration is a prominent theme of the ot prophets (compare Isa 35:1–10).

8:23 first fruits An ot expression referring to the first part of the harvest, which God designated for Himself and His priests (Lev 23:10; Deut 18:4; see note on Lev 2:12). Here, its usage refers to God’s initial transformative work in His people, which will result in resurrection glory.

groan Expresses frustration with the present evil age and the anticipation of complete redemption.

our adoption See note on Rom 8:14.

redemption of our body See v. 11 and note.

8:24 in hope In the nt, hope is not wishful thinking; it is a confident expectation in the fulfillment of God’s promises. Paul described Abraham as an example of hope in God (see note on 4:18).

8:25 patient endurance Present troubles are manageable when living in hope of future redemption.

8:26 our weakness Refers to people’s limited capacity and susceptibility to sin and death. Paul encourages the Roman believers that the Spirit does not condemn them in their weakness.

Spirit himself intercedes Even with the assurance of future hope, believers who patiently endure suffering may, at times, face troubles that exhaust their strength and try their faith. Paul urges such believers to find encouragement in the intercession the Holy Spirit makes on their behalf in these circumstances. This is one aspect of how the Holy Spirit serves as an advocate (paraklētos) for followers of Christ. See note on John 14:26.

unexpressed groanings May refer to the groaning of the Holy Spirit or the groaning of the believer (compare Psa 1:1 and note).

8:27 the one who searches our hearts An expression of God’s omniscience (see Acts 1:24; 2:23; 15:8). Paul tells the believers that God continues to work on their behalf, especially when they do not know what to pray for.

The Omniscient Know-It-All Devotional

saints Refers to those who are set apart to God. See note on Rom 1:7.

8:28 all things work together for good Paul has been discussing the perceived tension between human experience and divine promise. He assures believers that God is working for the ultimate good. Compare Gen 50:20; Eccl 8:12.

called according to his purpose God calls people to receive salvation and, through the resurrection, to reflect His glory (1 Cor 15:42–44).

8:29 foreknew The Greek word used here, proginōskō, means “to know in advance” or “to choose beforehand.”

Election

predestined The Greek verb used here, proorizō, refers to choosing or deciding beforehand. Salvation ultimately depends on God’s choice. Compare note on Rom 9:11.

Election

conformed to the image of his Son Refers to sanctification, the process by which a believer grows to be more like Christ. Compare 6:19; 1 Cor 1:2; see note on Eph 3:17.

Jesus as the Image of God

the firstborn This term does not indicate that Christ was created; rather, it means that Christ resides in the place of utmost priority in God’s kingdom.

8:30 called God’s act of drawing someone to a relationship with Him through Christ. Recalls references to those whom God has called in Rom 8:28 and elsewhere in the letter (1:6, 7; 9:24–26).

justified Refers to being set right or declared righteous by God (3:20, 24). Justification is a central theme of Romans (see 2:13; 4:2; 6:7).

glorified Paul’s chain of verbs culminates in glorification, tying this section back to its starting point in v. 18 and emphasizing that the hoped for future glory is just as certain as the already evident work of calling and justification.

Doxa Word Study

8:31–39 Paul ends this chapter by emphasizing how believers can look forward to Christ’s ultimate victory over earthly suffering and supernatural oppression. God’s plan of salvation has resulted in total victory. Nothing on heaven or earth can separate believers from the love of God in Christ. Romans 8:31–39 NICNT Ro

8:31 who can be against us Up to this point in the letter Paul has repeatedly emphasized the opposition of the flesh, sin, and even the law to believers. Here Paul declares that what matters is not what is against them, but who is for them—God Himself.

8:32 freely give us all things Underscores the future inheritance of believers as children of God and co-heirs with Christ (v. 17).

8:33 God’s elect Refers to those who have been chosen as children of God. For more on election, see note on v. 29.

Election

one who justifies In legal contexts, the Greek word used here, dikaioō, refers to acquitting or vindicating. Jesus’ death accomplished the justification of believers.

8:34 one who condemns Believers are not subject to condemnation (v. 1). Christ’s death covered their sin (3:25), and His resurrection imparted righteousness and life (4:25; 8:10).

right hand of God A position of honor and authority.

8:35 the sword Compare 13:4.

8:36 the whole day long Describes a constant threat of death.

we are considered as sheep for slaughter Paul quotes Psa 44:22 to point out that God’s people have always encountered opposition.

8:38 angels nor rulers Both of the Greek terms used here (angelos, archē) commonly refer to unseen divine beings.

New Testament Terms for Unseen Divine Beings

powers The Greek word used here, dynamis, can describe supernatural forces (Heb 6:5; 1 Pet 3:22).

8:39 any other created thing Indicates the entire created universe.