| Romans! |
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| Chapter Eight |
In the last chapter we saw Paul's and every man's struggle
against sin; and how it is impossible to overcome sin on our own
strength. Paul came to the conclusion that if we were going to
overcome our sinful nature, we would have to do so through the
Messiah.
This doing is accomplished in two ways. At first, when we are
brought into covenant with God, we are justified for our past
sins. This wipes away all of the past and brings us into a close
relationship with God that we did not know before. But, there is
another way that God accomplishes this task of helping us
overcome sin. And that is where we begin with this study.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in the
Messiah, Joshua, who walk not according to the flesh, but
according to the spirit.
At this point, Paul brings the whole together to show that the
believer does not struggle on his own, as explained in the last part
of the previous chapter. Now, as in contrast to the past, there is
no reason for condemnation; and therefore, with the believer
there is no condemnation. God does not disapprove of (condemn)
the believer, why? Because the believer does not walk according
to the flesh, but according to the spirit. The theme of Romans has
been justification. But Paul is expanding that beginning with
chapter 8. In the latter part of chapter 7 Paul came to the
conclusion that there had to be some help for man; and that it
would come through the efforts of the Messiah. He had been
discussing the help of justification up to the middle of chapter 7.
Justification was a direct result of the death of the Messiah. He
took on our sins and cleansed the slate for us. But even with a
clean record, we could not make it on our on! Now Paul goes into
the giving of the holy spirit and how that works to bring us into
the Family of God.
In this verse Paul is showing another part of what the Messiah
has done for us in making up the difference for what we as mere
human beings cannot do. The Messiah said – If I go not away, the
Comforter will not come to you. But, if I depart, I will send him to
you. Here we see a personification made of the spirit – or a
synonym for God who dwells in us by the spirit. But Paul is
making the point that through the Messiah we have something
even beyond justification that makes up the difference for our
inability to overcome sin - especially those habitual sins that one
has become a slave to. The holy spirit does not accomplish this
fete on its own for us, but aids us as we show a desire to live
according to the law of God. The power is there to help us
overcome, but we have to ask for that power. We have to show
an unyielding desire for that power.
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I
depart, I will send him unto you.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the spirit, which brings us life through the Messiah,
Joshua has freed me from the law of sin and death.
Paul says that the law or establishment of the spirit within him
has brought him life. This has been made possible, as explained
before, through the Messiah. He was the one who justified us
from sin; and the one who made possible the indwelling of the
holy spirit to give us power to overcome sin. This has freed us
from the law of sin and death. In other words, the holy spirit
makes it possible for us to live according to the law so that we will
not come under its penalty of death by living contrary to its
demands.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death.
What the law could not do, because human nature was weak, God
did. He condemned sin in human nature, by sending his own Son,
who came with a nature like man's sinful nature, to judge and
condemn sin.
Now, the law could not and was not designed to help man
overcome sin. The law expressed what a man was to do or not
do. Any deviation from the demand of the law was to be
understood as sin. That sin separated man from God for He
would not and will not condone sin.
Where the problem came in was that man's human nature was
weak and could not resist sin. The law was not weak for the
purpose it was designed, but the end result that God wanted from
man by giving the law was totally unsatisfactory. God gave the
law so that man could live by the law, build character and
ultimately be given eternal life. Because man's human nature
was weak and tended to live according to its lusts and not
according to the demands of the law, it weakened - in fact
destroyed - the reason for the giving of the law in the first place.
The law became just so many words on parchment. If man could
not live by these words, they were without any value for the
purpose that God had for man. Therefore, God took another step
to rectify this problem. He sent His Son as a human being to live
a sinless life to show that it could be done, with the power of the
holy spirit. Then He died on the tree for the justification of the
past sins of man and thereby pronounced judgment against sin in
our human nature.
There was a two-pronged onslaught made against sin: 1) Past sins
would be destroyed in order to bring the covenant holder into
God's presence; 2) The holy spirit would be made available to
give man a desire to live by the law and to give him the power to
live by the law.
This is not to presume that man would live his life completely
sinless, as did the Messiah (for He was given the spirit without
measure), but that there was now a way made that good progress
toward living according to the demands of the law was possible.
In other words, with these two tools against sin, God's purpose
for man would make some real progress - whereas it was not
possible to do so before.
The purpose was not to make it possible for man to be sinless, but
to give man a fighting chance against sin. God's purpose is
achieved in the struggle against sin. In the past, sin would always
win. Now sin would win less and less, even according to the spirit
of the law, to show a tendency toward more and more
righteousness. This would tell God what He wanted to know
about the man. And after so much is known, the man becomes a
known quantity to God. God does not have to see perfection in
man to know how he will turn out. In fact, how a man is going to
turn out is more important than perfection at this time. Either a
man is for God's ways or he is for Satan's ways. Those who are
for God's ways will depart from iniquity. Through a process, they
will become perfect even as our Father who is in heaven is
perfect!
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh:
God did this so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not according to our human nature (our sensual
selves), but according to the spirit.
Now, why did God condemn sin in the believer (this is another
way to express justification) and make possible the holy spirit?
For the very purpose of making possible, man's living by the
righteousness of the law! This is not possible for those who walk
according to their human nature, but it is possible for those who
walk according to the holy spirit.
We are not given the holy spirit so that God can do everything for
us! If that were so, we could not quench the holy spirit. But if we
yield to the urgings of the holy spirit and appeal to God for
strength to overcome sin, the power of the holy spirit will be
made available to us even as it was to the Messiah, in order to
overcome sin. Of course, the Messiah had the holy spirit without
measure and we are given only a measure of the holy spirit.
2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest (down payment)
of the Spirit in our hearts.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Those who live according to their human nature are guided by it;
but those who live according to the spirit seek those things that
are according to the holy spirit.
There are two ways of life. One way is to live according to the
desires of the flesh, or according to our human nature. The other
way is to seek God's desire for one’s life. If a person is in
covenant with God he will have His holy spirit and the desire to
live according to God's law, which is His way - providing he is not
quenching the holy spirit.
The covenant clearly shows that the holy spirit is given to
promote in us a desire to live by God's standard - His ten
commandments.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they
that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
To be guided by our human nature results in death. To be guided
by the holy spirit results in life and peace.
In these statements, Paul is showing two ways to live. If we are
guided by our human nature, it will result in death. If the holy
spirit (God’s mind) guides us, it will result in life and peace of
mind - a state of tranquillity.
Those who live by their human nature will have anything but
peace of mind. One cannot live contrary to the law and have
peace of mind. Better to come into line with the demands of the
law and have life eternal in the future and peace of mind now
than to live a life full of agitation now and die the eternal death
later. The holy spirit is given so we will desire the right way and
have the power to live the right way - if we express that desire.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace.
The person who is guided by his human nature is an enemy of God
– for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it.
The person who does not live by the law of God is His enemy!
The word <enmity> means: Deep seated, often mutual hatred.
The sinner hates God's law. God hates sin; and a gulf comes
between God and the man who is living according to his human
nature. This is the very reason that God required the death of
His Son! Man had to be reconciled back to God because of his
sin. It is impossible for man to live according to the law on his
own, so justification alone was not adequate. The holy spirit was
given, making a better covenant between God and man. For the
old covenant did not include the holy spirit as part of the
agreement. With the holy spirit, it is possible to please God.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Those who live according to their human nature (their senses)
cannot please God.
Without the holy spirit it is impossible to please God. It has
already been proved that man cannot live by the demands of the
law on his own. Without justification and the holy spirit man is
without hope.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not living according to your human nature; instead
you are living according to the spirit, if in fact the spirit of God is
in you. If anyone does not have the spirit of the Messiah, he does
not belong to Him.
Here we see that the believer must have the holy spirit and live
according to its guidance. If the holy spirit does not exist in a
person, then he does not belong to God. The holy spirit separates
the believer from the non-believer: those who do not have the
spirit. Those without the spirit live according to their human
nature. Those with the holy spirit live according to the laws of
God, for it gives them the desire and power to yield themselves to
God.
Here Paul speaks of, "the spirit of the Messiah." The holy spirit
emanates from the Father and was given to the Messiah without
measure. The spirit of the Son comes from the Father and we
must have that same spirit, as does He.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Lu 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to them that ask him?
Therefore, if we don't have in us the same spirit that is in the
Messiah, we do not belong to Him. If we are not living our lives
according to God's standard, we are either quenching the holy
spirit or do not have it. The fact that we can quench the holy
spirit shows that we have a part in the salvation process. God is
not doing it all for us. We can make or hinder progress toward
salvation.
9 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.
But if (the spirit of) the Messiah lives in you, your body is dead in
reference to sin; but the spirit is life in reference to righteousness.
Paul tells us here that if we have the holy spirit then our bodies
die to the urges of sin. And on the other hand, our minds become
alive to righteousness. Paul is inspired to speak of it here as a
done deed. We know from other Scriptures that it is a process.
But notice how the Scriptures read concerning Abraham, "...for a
father of many nations have I made you." This was a process.
Abraham began the process with Isaac. But it was many
generations later, after this declaration, before Abraham became
the father of many nations. But here, in God's sight it was
already done. So it is with salvation. Unless we abort the
process, our salvation is sure, if we have the holy spirit and yield
ourselves to God.
Ge 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name
shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit
is life because of righteousness.
If the spirit of God who raised up Yahshua (Joshua) from the
dead is in you, He who raised up the Messiah from the dead shall
also make alive your mortal bodies by His spirit that is in you.
Here Paul shows the process of our resurrection to eternal life.
The means by which we are resurrected to eternal life is by the
holy spirit, which is a part of our minds. It was by the holy spirit
that God the Father raised up Yahshua or Joshua from the dead.
It will be by the same holy spirit that God will resurrect and make
truly alive our mortal bodies. Currently we are only a
physiochemical existence. We are a knowing entity because of
the spirit given to every man. With the addition of the holy spirit
to the spirit given to every man, one can become a son of God.
Paul will go into more of this in the next few verses.
11 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.
Therefore, my brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to live
according to the dictates of our human nature.
We have a debt, but it is not to our flesh, our senses, and our
human nature. Our debt is to live according to God's standard,
His law, the ten commandments, the urging of the holy spirit.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the
flesh.
For if you live according to your senses (human nature), you are
going to die. But if you put to death the (sinful) deeds of the
body, you shall live.
Paul's teaching is very clear here. If we live according to the
dictates of our senses, we are going to die. If we put to death,
destroy, escape the bonds of sin that are a part of every man,
then we will live.
We cannot live according to the dictates of our senses. Living
according to these senses, our human nature, is against the law of
God and on its own cannot be any other way. That is the reason
that God has given us the holy spirit. We are to yield to God by
the power and desire given to us by means of the holy spirit. Only
then shall we live.
13 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.
For those who are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of
God.
The holy spirit is given to us for a purpose. We are to be led by
that spirit. We can resist that spirit and not be led by it. In that
case, we will not be the sons of God. But if we yield ourselves to
God and walk by the urgings of the holy spirit and by the power
that we can receive through that source, we will be the sons of
God.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For (the spirit that) you have now received (is) not a spirit of
slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have
received the spirit of adoption -- the spirit that produces son ship
-- for which cause we cry, Abba! (that is,) Father!
Paul shows that we can only become sons of God by the spirit of
adoption. It is the spirit of God in us that makes possible the
living according to the standard of God. God will not make
children or sons of those who are in rebellion to His law. This
spirit is not the spirit of bondage. Therefore, we are not to be in
fear as were those under the first covenant who did not have the
holy spirit and the justification to wipe away their sins. Once
they sinned against the law they were left with only fear. But we
have received the holy spirit, the mind of the living God and the
justification of His Son. We are being groomed to be the sons of
God. Without the holy spirit we could not be God's sons.
Therefore, we cry out Abba, that is, Dear Father! We realize
that God <is> our Father, and not just in some forensic manner.
God is not our Father just rhetorically speaking, for the sake of
an argument or debate, or in some non-legal way. He really is our
Father! The holy spirit is His mind. He made us. He gave us
knowledge. He gave us a "human" mind so that we could
comprehend knowledge. But with the addition of the holy spirit,
we have literally become begotten sons of God!
15 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.
The holy spirit joins with our spirit to declare that we are the
children of God.
Here Paul tells us that the holy spirit or mind of God, with our
physical mind (the spirit that God gives to all men for the purpose
of being capable of understanding) comes to the conclusion that
we are indeed the children of God. The message that we arrive
at with the spirit in man is that through God's holy spirit we have
become the begotten children of God. Of course, here again,
Paul is inspired to call that which is to be as though it already is.
But the next verse clears up any doubt on this score.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also: heirs of
God and fellow heirs with the Messiah -- sharing His inheritance
with Him; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His
glory.
Now, Paul argues, if we are the children of God, then we are also
His heirs. If we are legal children of God, then we are legal heirs
of His promises. The Messiah has already received His
inheritance of eternal life and glory with the Father. But, if we
are heirs of God then we are fellow heirs with the Messiah. We
are going to share His inheritance of eternal life with Him. But,
there is just one catch! It is not a sure thing yet! This lets us
know that in some of the previous verses Paul is speaking of that
which can be and should be, and will be – if we do our part – as
though it is already true! The catch is this: We have got to be
willing to do some suffering with the Messiah if we are going to
share in His glory! There is a baptism of suffering before the
glory. Unless we are willing to put to death the sinful deeds of
our sensual nature, we will not share in the glory of God.
2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also
will deny us:
Mt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye
able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mt 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right
hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for
whom it is prepared of my Father.
17 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.
For I conclude that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Paul had thought over the suffering of this life in comparison to
the glory of the eternal life that is to come. And his conclusion
was that there is no comparison! If we are willing to bring every
thought into captivity to the obedience of God and if we are
willing to weary and beat our bodies black and blue in order to
bring them into subjection, if we put up with the insults of this
world who are living according to the senses of their flesh, if we
do these things, we will then receive the glory. And it will be as
though we suffered for only a moment in comparison to the glory
we will receive. Some are not willing to suffer. They feel that
the suffering for the moment is Pharisaic. That someone is trying
to earn his salvation! Never! There has been a two-fold
onslaught against sin that only God could overcome.
If we can learn to justify ourselves and live perfectly without the
holy spirit, then we can say that we have earned our salvation -
then we will be Pharisaic, for it is impossible. I find that man
wants to excuse himself from the suffering. And Paul said that
unless we are willing to do the suffering we would not share in the
glory!
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ;
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
In this part we have seen another tool added to justification to
make possible our salvation. Justification is to close the gap. The
holy spirit is to give us the knowledge and power to do what
cannot be done on our own. Paul is not saying that God is going
to do it all for us! Paul is showing that we do have our part and
how that God is going to hold us by the hand until our part is
done, even picking us up when we have fallen and restoring us so
that we may try all over again.
If God were going to do it all for us there would have been no
need for the human experience. It is because we have a part that
God chose the creation of human beings, to bring sons of God into
His Family.
In the previous verses we saw the addition of the holy spirit to aid
us in desiring and living by the ten commandments. Paul
concluded that the suffering we would go through in our lives to
live righteously could not be compared to the glory that is waiting
for those who have been called to this endeavor.
All of creation (humanity) waits with eager longing for God to
reveal His sons.
Paul continues to show that the glory that awaits us is exactly
what the rest of humanity, by far the majority, who has not yet
received the holy spirit, is waiting for. Until God gives us glory,
they cannot begin on their journey to also become sons of God!
We have got to be put into the kingdom and be made kings and
priests before the rest of humanity can get started to eternal life.
The word <creature> is referring to humanity. Notice that the
Messiah said that the gospel was to be preached to every
<creature>. And Paul says that the gospel had, at that time, been
preached to every creature under heaven!
It is true that the rest of the non-human creation will benefit
when the sons of God come into their glory. However, the earth
and its solar system was created so that the "humans to sons of
God" project could be accomplished. When this first phase is
complete, the rest of the non-human creation will come into a
normal state. However, the subject Paul is referring to is not the
non-human creation but all of humanity. This will become clearer
as we study the next few verses.
Do dogs, cats, cows, and pigs wait for the manifestation of the
sons of God? It does seem that their nature was changed some
when Adam and Eve sinned as the Bible shows that the lion will
eat straw like the ox during the 1000-year reign of the Messiah.
However, there are some statements here that show these verses
cannot specifically refer to any but human beings.
Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which
was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am
made a minister;
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creation (humanity) was made subject to a complete lack
of the truth, not willingly, but because God willed it to be so. But
it was done in hope.
Humanity was made subject to lies. It was God who allowed
Satan to come into the garden of Eden. For God knew that the
only way man could build character was if there was something to
struggle against. That is the reason a command of "You shall not
eat" was given to Adam and Eve. But this was all done in hope,
the hope that man would be made in the image of God at the end
of the struggle. Eve did not become subject to these lies
willingly. For to do so willingly she would have walked over to the
tree and ate of it, without Satan seducing her. She was lured into
the snare by one who was very subtle and shrewd and much older
than she – and one who had a history of doing evil. And this was
allowed to happen to the creation – in hope. Obviously the hope
was and is only applicable to human beings. Only humans were
made in the image of God. Only humans have the potential of
becoming eternal sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by
reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
For the creation (humanity) itself shall also be delivered from the
bondage of corruption and share in the glorious liberty of the sons
of God.
Paul is discussing the firstfruits, who will be sons of God in the
first resurrection and showing that it is most important that they
complete their phase of the project that God is working out in
order for the rest of humanity to share in their glory. Notice in
this scripture that Paul says they will also be delivered from the
bondage of corruption. This is obviously not speaking about the
rest of the non-human creation. There is no scripture, so far as I
know that tells us that the animals will be made into a substance
not subject to corruption. This would indicate that Paul is
speaking of the first fruits and the results it will have on those
who are to come into the plan at later stages. For they will also
be delivered from the bondage of corruption even as we will be.
They too will share in the glorious liberty that we will share in and
receive eternal life, not subject to decay.
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that all of creation (humanity) groans and suffers
birth pains up to the present time.
The word <whole> should be translated <all>. It is by far the
most common translation with 748 occurrences and only 12 times
is it translated as <whole>, this being one of them. All of
humanity has groaned and suffered sore pain, even as in the birth
of a child, up to this point. It was at this time, during which Paul
lived that the solution had come. Sons were already in the
making. Once these few sons, in the early part of the plan, were
perfected, the rest of humanity could follow. It wasn't like the
sighing and crying would cease. Rather, there had come a
glimmer of light as to the solution to all the pain and suffering.
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Commentaries
Chapter:
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Five
Six
Seven
Seven Continued
Eight
Eight Continued
against sin; and how it is impossible to overcome sin on our own
strength. Paul came to the conclusion that if we were going to
overcome our sinful nature, we would have to do so through the
Messiah.
This doing is accomplished in two ways. At first, when we are
brought into covenant with God, we are justified for our past
sins. This wipes away all of the past and brings us into a close
relationship with God that we did not know before. But, there is
another way that God accomplishes this task of helping us
overcome sin. And that is where we begin with this study.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in the
Messiah, Joshua, who walk not according to the flesh, but
according to the spirit.
At this point, Paul brings the whole together to show that the
believer does not struggle on his own, as explained in the last part
of the previous chapter. Now, as in contrast to the past, there is
no reason for condemnation; and therefore, with the believer
there is no condemnation. God does not disapprove of (condemn)
the believer, why? Because the believer does not walk according
to the flesh, but according to the spirit. The theme of Romans has
been justification. But Paul is expanding that beginning with
chapter 8. In the latter part of chapter 7 Paul came to the
conclusion that there had to be some help for man; and that it
would come through the efforts of the Messiah. He had been
discussing the help of justification up to the middle of chapter 7.
Justification was a direct result of the death of the Messiah. He
took on our sins and cleansed the slate for us. But even with a
clean record, we could not make it on our on! Now Paul goes into
the giving of the holy spirit and how that works to bring us into
the Family of God.
In this verse Paul is showing another part of what the Messiah
has done for us in making up the difference for what we as mere
human beings cannot do. The Messiah said – If I go not away, the
Comforter will not come to you. But, if I depart, I will send him to
you. Here we see a personification made of the spirit – or a
synonym for God who dwells in us by the spirit. But Paul is
making the point that through the Messiah we have something
even beyond justification that makes up the difference for our
inability to overcome sin - especially those habitual sins that one
has become a slave to. The holy spirit does not accomplish this
fete on its own for us, but aids us as we show a desire to live
according to the law of God. The power is there to help us
overcome, but we have to ask for that power. We have to show
an unyielding desire for that power.
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I
depart, I will send him unto you.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the spirit, which brings us life through the Messiah,
Joshua has freed me from the law of sin and death.
Paul says that the law or establishment of the spirit within him
has brought him life. This has been made possible, as explained
before, through the Messiah. He was the one who justified us
from sin; and the one who made possible the indwelling of the
holy spirit to give us power to overcome sin. This has freed us
from the law of sin and death. In other words, the holy spirit
makes it possible for us to live according to the law so that we will
not come under its penalty of death by living contrary to its
demands.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death.
What the law could not do, because human nature was weak, God
did. He condemned sin in human nature, by sending his own Son,
who came with a nature like man's sinful nature, to judge and
condemn sin.
Now, the law could not and was not designed to help man
overcome sin. The law expressed what a man was to do or not
do. Any deviation from the demand of the law was to be
understood as sin. That sin separated man from God for He
would not and will not condone sin.
Where the problem came in was that man's human nature was
weak and could not resist sin. The law was not weak for the
purpose it was designed, but the end result that God wanted from
man by giving the law was totally unsatisfactory. God gave the
law so that man could live by the law, build character and
ultimately be given eternal life. Because man's human nature
was weak and tended to live according to its lusts and not
according to the demands of the law, it weakened - in fact
destroyed - the reason for the giving of the law in the first place.
The law became just so many words on parchment. If man could
not live by these words, they were without any value for the
purpose that God had for man. Therefore, God took another step
to rectify this problem. He sent His Son as a human being to live
a sinless life to show that it could be done, with the power of the
holy spirit. Then He died on the tree for the justification of the
past sins of man and thereby pronounced judgment against sin in
our human nature.
There was a two-pronged onslaught made against sin: 1) Past sins
would be destroyed in order to bring the covenant holder into
God's presence; 2) The holy spirit would be made available to
give man a desire to live by the law and to give him the power to
live by the law.
This is not to presume that man would live his life completely
sinless, as did the Messiah (for He was given the spirit without
measure), but that there was now a way made that good progress
toward living according to the demands of the law was possible.
In other words, with these two tools against sin, God's purpose
for man would make some real progress - whereas it was not
possible to do so before.
The purpose was not to make it possible for man to be sinless, but
to give man a fighting chance against sin. God's purpose is
achieved in the struggle against sin. In the past, sin would always
win. Now sin would win less and less, even according to the spirit
of the law, to show a tendency toward more and more
righteousness. This would tell God what He wanted to know
about the man. And after so much is known, the man becomes a
known quantity to God. God does not have to see perfection in
man to know how he will turn out. In fact, how a man is going to
turn out is more important than perfection at this time. Either a
man is for God's ways or he is for Satan's ways. Those who are
for God's ways will depart from iniquity. Through a process, they
will become perfect even as our Father who is in heaven is
perfect!
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh:
God did this so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not according to our human nature (our sensual
selves), but according to the spirit.
Now, why did God condemn sin in the believer (this is another
way to express justification) and make possible the holy spirit?
For the very purpose of making possible, man's living by the
righteousness of the law! This is not possible for those who walk
according to their human nature, but it is possible for those who
walk according to the holy spirit.
We are not given the holy spirit so that God can do everything for
us! If that were so, we could not quench the holy spirit. But if we
yield to the urgings of the holy spirit and appeal to God for
strength to overcome sin, the power of the holy spirit will be
made available to us even as it was to the Messiah, in order to
overcome sin. Of course, the Messiah had the holy spirit without
measure and we are given only a measure of the holy spirit.
2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest (down payment)
of the Spirit in our hearts.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Those who live according to their human nature are guided by it;
but those who live according to the spirit seek those things that
are according to the holy spirit.
There are two ways of life. One way is to live according to the
desires of the flesh, or according to our human nature. The other
way is to seek God's desire for one’s life. If a person is in
covenant with God he will have His holy spirit and the desire to
live according to God's law, which is His way - providing he is not
quenching the holy spirit.
The covenant clearly shows that the holy spirit is given to
promote in us a desire to live by God's standard - His ten
commandments.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they
that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
To be guided by our human nature results in death. To be guided
by the holy spirit results in life and peace.
In these statements, Paul is showing two ways to live. If we are
guided by our human nature, it will result in death. If the holy
spirit (God’s mind) guides us, it will result in life and peace of
mind - a state of tranquillity.
Those who live by their human nature will have anything but
peace of mind. One cannot live contrary to the law and have
peace of mind. Better to come into line with the demands of the
law and have life eternal in the future and peace of mind now
than to live a life full of agitation now and die the eternal death
later. The holy spirit is given so we will desire the right way and
have the power to live the right way - if we express that desire.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace.
The person who is guided by his human nature is an enemy of God
– for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it.
The person who does not live by the law of God is His enemy!
The word <enmity> means: Deep seated, often mutual hatred.
The sinner hates God's law. God hates sin; and a gulf comes
between God and the man who is living according to his human
nature. This is the very reason that God required the death of
His Son! Man had to be reconciled back to God because of his
sin. It is impossible for man to live according to the law on his
own, so justification alone was not adequate. The holy spirit was
given, making a better covenant between God and man. For the
old covenant did not include the holy spirit as part of the
agreement. With the holy spirit, it is possible to please God.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Those who live according to their human nature (their senses)
cannot please God.
Without the holy spirit it is impossible to please God. It has
already been proved that man cannot live by the demands of the
law on his own. Without justification and the holy spirit man is
without hope.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not living according to your human nature; instead
you are living according to the spirit, if in fact the spirit of God is
in you. If anyone does not have the spirit of the Messiah, he does
not belong to Him.
Here we see that the believer must have the holy spirit and live
according to its guidance. If the holy spirit does not exist in a
person, then he does not belong to God. The holy spirit separates
the believer from the non-believer: those who do not have the
spirit. Those without the spirit live according to their human
nature. Those with the holy spirit live according to the laws of
God, for it gives them the desire and power to yield themselves to
God.
Here Paul speaks of, "the spirit of the Messiah." The holy spirit
emanates from the Father and was given to the Messiah without
measure. The spirit of the Son comes from the Father and we
must have that same spirit, as does He.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Lu 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to them that ask him?
Therefore, if we don't have in us the same spirit that is in the
Messiah, we do not belong to Him. If we are not living our lives
according to God's standard, we are either quenching the holy
spirit or do not have it. The fact that we can quench the holy
spirit shows that we have a part in the salvation process. God is
not doing it all for us. We can make or hinder progress toward
salvation.
9 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.
But if (the spirit of) the Messiah lives in you, your body is dead in
reference to sin; but the spirit is life in reference to righteousness.
Paul tells us here that if we have the holy spirit then our bodies
die to the urges of sin. And on the other hand, our minds become
alive to righteousness. Paul is inspired to speak of it here as a
done deed. We know from other Scriptures that it is a process.
But notice how the Scriptures read concerning Abraham, "...for a
father of many nations have I made you." This was a process.
Abraham began the process with Isaac. But it was many
generations later, after this declaration, before Abraham became
the father of many nations. But here, in God's sight it was
already done. So it is with salvation. Unless we abort the
process, our salvation is sure, if we have the holy spirit and yield
ourselves to God.
Ge 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name
shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit
is life because of righteousness.
If the spirit of God who raised up Yahshua (Joshua) from the
dead is in you, He who raised up the Messiah from the dead shall
also make alive your mortal bodies by His spirit that is in you.
Here Paul shows the process of our resurrection to eternal life.
The means by which we are resurrected to eternal life is by the
holy spirit, which is a part of our minds. It was by the holy spirit
that God the Father raised up Yahshua or Joshua from the dead.
It will be by the same holy spirit that God will resurrect and make
truly alive our mortal bodies. Currently we are only a
physiochemical existence. We are a knowing entity because of
the spirit given to every man. With the addition of the holy spirit
to the spirit given to every man, one can become a son of God.
Paul will go into more of this in the next few verses.
11 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.
Therefore, my brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to live
according to the dictates of our human nature.
We have a debt, but it is not to our flesh, our senses, and our
human nature. Our debt is to live according to God's standard,
His law, the ten commandments, the urging of the holy spirit.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the
flesh.
For if you live according to your senses (human nature), you are
going to die. But if you put to death the (sinful) deeds of the
body, you shall live.
Paul's teaching is very clear here. If we live according to the
dictates of our senses, we are going to die. If we put to death,
destroy, escape the bonds of sin that are a part of every man,
then we will live.
We cannot live according to the dictates of our senses. Living
according to these senses, our human nature, is against the law of
God and on its own cannot be any other way. That is the reason
that God has given us the holy spirit. We are to yield to God by
the power and desire given to us by means of the holy spirit. Only
then shall we live.
13 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.
For those who are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of
God.
The holy spirit is given to us for a purpose. We are to be led by
that spirit. We can resist that spirit and not be led by it. In that
case, we will not be the sons of God. But if we yield ourselves to
God and walk by the urgings of the holy spirit and by the power
that we can receive through that source, we will be the sons of
God.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For (the spirit that) you have now received (is) not a spirit of
slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have
received the spirit of adoption -- the spirit that produces son ship
-- for which cause we cry, Abba! (that is,) Father!
Paul shows that we can only become sons of God by the spirit of
adoption. It is the spirit of God in us that makes possible the
living according to the standard of God. God will not make
children or sons of those who are in rebellion to His law. This
spirit is not the spirit of bondage. Therefore, we are not to be in
fear as were those under the first covenant who did not have the
holy spirit and the justification to wipe away their sins. Once
they sinned against the law they were left with only fear. But we
have received the holy spirit, the mind of the living God and the
justification of His Son. We are being groomed to be the sons of
God. Without the holy spirit we could not be God's sons.
Therefore, we cry out Abba, that is, Dear Father! We realize
that God <is> our Father, and not just in some forensic manner.
God is not our Father just rhetorically speaking, for the sake of
an argument or debate, or in some non-legal way. He really is our
Father! The holy spirit is His mind. He made us. He gave us
knowledge. He gave us a "human" mind so that we could
comprehend knowledge. But with the addition of the holy spirit,
we have literally become begotten sons of God!
15 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.
The holy spirit joins with our spirit to declare that we are the
children of God.
Here Paul tells us that the holy spirit or mind of God, with our
physical mind (the spirit that God gives to all men for the purpose
of being capable of understanding) comes to the conclusion that
we are indeed the children of God. The message that we arrive
at with the spirit in man is that through God's holy spirit we have
become the begotten children of God. Of course, here again,
Paul is inspired to call that which is to be as though it already is.
But the next verse clears up any doubt on this score.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
And if we are (His) children, then we are (His) heirs also: heirs of
God and fellow heirs with the Messiah -- sharing His inheritance
with Him; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His
glory.
Now, Paul argues, if we are the children of God, then we are also
His heirs. If we are legal children of God, then we are legal heirs
of His promises. The Messiah has already received His
inheritance of eternal life and glory with the Father. But, if we
are heirs of God then we are fellow heirs with the Messiah. We
are going to share His inheritance of eternal life with Him. But,
there is just one catch! It is not a sure thing yet! This lets us
know that in some of the previous verses Paul is speaking of that
which can be and should be, and will be – if we do our part – as
though it is already true! The catch is this: We have got to be
willing to do some suffering with the Messiah if we are going to
share in His glory! There is a baptism of suffering before the
glory. Unless we are willing to put to death the sinful deeds of
our sensual nature, we will not share in the glory of God.
2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also
will deny us:
Mt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye
able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mt 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right
hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for
whom it is prepared of my Father.
17 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.
For I conclude that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Paul had thought over the suffering of this life in comparison to
the glory of the eternal life that is to come. And his conclusion
was that there is no comparison! If we are willing to bring every
thought into captivity to the obedience of God and if we are
willing to weary and beat our bodies black and blue in order to
bring them into subjection, if we put up with the insults of this
world who are living according to the senses of their flesh, if we
do these things, we will then receive the glory. And it will be as
though we suffered for only a moment in comparison to the glory
we will receive. Some are not willing to suffer. They feel that
the suffering for the moment is Pharisaic. That someone is trying
to earn his salvation! Never! There has been a two-fold
onslaught against sin that only God could overcome.
If we can learn to justify ourselves and live perfectly without the
holy spirit, then we can say that we have earned our salvation -
then we will be Pharisaic, for it is impossible. I find that man
wants to excuse himself from the suffering. And Paul said that
unless we are willing to do the suffering we would not share in the
glory!
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ;
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
In this part we have seen another tool added to justification to
make possible our salvation. Justification is to close the gap. The
holy spirit is to give us the knowledge and power to do what
cannot be done on our own. Paul is not saying that God is going
to do it all for us! Paul is showing that we do have our part and
how that God is going to hold us by the hand until our part is
done, even picking us up when we have fallen and restoring us so
that we may try all over again.
If God were going to do it all for us there would have been no
need for the human experience. It is because we have a part that
God chose the creation of human beings, to bring sons of God into
His Family.
In the previous verses we saw the addition of the holy spirit to aid
us in desiring and living by the ten commandments. Paul
concluded that the suffering we would go through in our lives to
live righteously could not be compared to the glory that is waiting
for those who have been called to this endeavor.
All of creation (humanity) waits with eager longing for God to
reveal His sons.
Paul continues to show that the glory that awaits us is exactly
what the rest of humanity, by far the majority, who has not yet
received the holy spirit, is waiting for. Until God gives us glory,
they cannot begin on their journey to also become sons of God!
We have got to be put into the kingdom and be made kings and
priests before the rest of humanity can get started to eternal life.
The word <creature> is referring to humanity. Notice that the
Messiah said that the gospel was to be preached to every
<creature>. And Paul says that the gospel had, at that time, been
preached to every creature under heaven!
It is true that the rest of the non-human creation will benefit
when the sons of God come into their glory. However, the earth
and its solar system was created so that the "humans to sons of
God" project could be accomplished. When this first phase is
complete, the rest of the non-human creation will come into a
normal state. However, the subject Paul is referring to is not the
non-human creation but all of humanity. This will become clearer
as we study the next few verses.
Do dogs, cats, cows, and pigs wait for the manifestation of the
sons of God? It does seem that their nature was changed some
when Adam and Eve sinned as the Bible shows that the lion will
eat straw like the ox during the 1000-year reign of the Messiah.
However, there are some statements here that show these verses
cannot specifically refer to any but human beings.
Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which
was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am
made a minister;
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creation (humanity) was made subject to a complete lack
of the truth, not willingly, but because God willed it to be so. But
it was done in hope.
Humanity was made subject to lies. It was God who allowed
Satan to come into the garden of Eden. For God knew that the
only way man could build character was if there was something to
struggle against. That is the reason a command of "You shall not
eat" was given to Adam and Eve. But this was all done in hope,
the hope that man would be made in the image of God at the end
of the struggle. Eve did not become subject to these lies
willingly. For to do so willingly she would have walked over to the
tree and ate of it, without Satan seducing her. She was lured into
the snare by one who was very subtle and shrewd and much older
than she – and one who had a history of doing evil. And this was
allowed to happen to the creation – in hope. Obviously the hope
was and is only applicable to human beings. Only humans were
made in the image of God. Only humans have the potential of
becoming eternal sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by
reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
For the creation (humanity) itself shall also be delivered from the
bondage of corruption and share in the glorious liberty of the sons
of God.
Paul is discussing the firstfruits, who will be sons of God in the
first resurrection and showing that it is most important that they
complete their phase of the project that God is working out in
order for the rest of humanity to share in their glory. Notice in
this scripture that Paul says they will also be delivered from the
bondage of corruption. This is obviously not speaking about the
rest of the non-human creation. There is no scripture, so far as I
know that tells us that the animals will be made into a substance
not subject to corruption. This would indicate that Paul is
speaking of the first fruits and the results it will have on those
who are to come into the plan at later stages. For they will also
be delivered from the bondage of corruption even as we will be.
They too will share in the glorious liberty that we will share in and
receive eternal life, not subject to decay.
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that all of creation (humanity) groans and suffers
birth pains up to the present time.
The word <whole> should be translated <all>. It is by far the
most common translation with 748 occurrences and only 12 times
is it translated as <whole>, this being one of them. All of
humanity has groaned and suffered sore pain, even as in the birth
of a child, up to this point. It was at this time, during which Paul
lived that the solution had come. Sons were already in the
making. Once these few sons, in the early part of the plan, were
perfected, the rest of humanity could follow. It wasn't like the
sighing and crying would cease. Rather, there had come a
glimmer of light as to the solution to all the pain and suffering.
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Commentaries
Chapter:
One
Two
Three
Four
Four Continued
Five
Six
Seven
Seven Continued
Eight
Eight Continued