Bible Commentary

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified together. 17. and if children, &c.] Here St Paul reasons onward from the primary fact, witnessed to by the Spirit, of the Christian’s sonship. He has in view now, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:17”

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 16. The Spirit itself, &c.] The “Spirit of Adoption” is here seen, as it were, at His mysterious work, teaching us to “cry Abba, Father.” He “witnesses” with a witness which concurs with a witness borne by our own “spirit,” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:16”

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 15. have not received ] Better, did not receive; a reference to definite past bestowal. See on ch. Rom 5:5, last note. the spirit of bondage ] of slavery. The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:15”

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 14. For ] This word points back to “ through the Spirit ” in Rom 8:13. That brief reference to the Divine Helper of the soul suggests and brings in the marvellous passage now following, down to Rom … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:14”

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 13. ye shall die ] Lit. ye are about to die; on the way to die. The phrase indicates a sure effect from the given cause. through the Spirit … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:13”

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 12. debtors ] An emphatic word in the verse. Q. d., “We are debtors to the Giver of the Spirit; to the flesh we indeed owe nothing, for its result is death.” The first part of this statement is unexpressed, but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:12”

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 11. But ] Here the fact of the death-state of the body is met and qualified by the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:11”

And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 10. If Christ be in you ] Observe the immediate transition from “the Spirit of Christ” to “Christ.” See again Eph 3:16, for a deeply suggestive parallel. See too each of the Seven Epistles … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:10”

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 9. But, &c.] After this dark foil, in the picture of the fleshly state, St Paul now gives … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:9”

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 8. So then ] Lit. But; and perhaps better thus. The opposition is to the idea implied by the previous clauses of a condition which can love and submit. in the flesh ] Of course in the moral sense of “the flesh,” and as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 8:8”