Romans 8:23-25 …but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.Having taught tha...  Read More

Romans 8:20-22 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.The personified creation in v. 19 longs for t...  Read More

Romans 8:18-19 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.After having tied in the issue of suffering with being a Christian in 8:17, Paul now seeks to encourage all of God’s children who are burdened by the general sufferings related t...  Read More

Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.Paul’s letter to Ephesus is so closely linked to his letter to Colossae that the two epistles are commonly called sister epistles. Instructing the Colossians to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (v. 16), Paul tells them what results is teaching and admonishing one another with psalms an...  Read More

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.The Holy Spirit “testifies” with the spirit of man—his intellect, that he is indeed a child of God. The present tense verb “testify” (Gr. summartureō) means “to conf...  Read More

Romans 8:14-16 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God…Observing the verb in v. 14 is crucial to understanding the passage. Those who...  Read More

Romans 8:12-13 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.Paul’s next point is that, since the Holy Spirit dwells in true believers (vv. 9-11), Christians are “under obligation,” or debtors (ESV), “not t...  Read More

Romans 8:9-11 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesu...  Read More

Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.Of interest in 8:5 is that those who “live according to the flesh,” by default, fail to “walk according to the Spirit.” The fulfillment of the law “in Christ” has not been accomplished in them, so they “set their minds on the things of ...  Read More

Romans 8:5-8 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so...  Read More

Romans 8:3-4 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.The Law of God could not, and cannot, save anyone. Though it is holy, ri...  Read More

Nov 19, 2024 Dr. D. Lance Waldie Romans 8:1-2 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.The word “law” is used twice in v. 2, but not in reference to the Mosaic Law. The first use, “law of the Spirit of life,” or “law of the life-giving Spirit” (NET), speaks of a ge...  Read More