principle that operates in power. Spirit here is surely the Holy Spirit,5 who is characterized as the Spirit of life, that is, the life-giving Spirit. The presence of the Spirit is the distinguishing mark of the Christian, and this presence means the defeat of the power of sin. Gifford rejects such ideas as that the law of the Spirit means the gospel (so Hodge) or the plan of salvation, and says it is “the life-giving power of the Holy Ghost, ruling as a law within the heart.” Paul is saying that