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8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit....
Oujde;n a~ra nu'n katavkrima toi'ß ejn Xristw'/ #Ihsou':
Romans 8 is the pinnacle of the Bible from the viewpoint of many people because it provides us as Christians the assurance of deliverance from bondage. The word "therefore" reflects back to the statement in the last part of the earlier chapter, chapter 7; which deals with the conflict of the two natures, spirit and flesh.
Now. Has in view the work which Christ has done.
The now, therefore, in the text, must refer more to the happy transition from darkness to light, from condemnation to pardon, which this believer now enjoys, than to the Christian dispensation taking the place of the Jewish economy." - Adam Clarke, commentary on Romans 8:1.
Condemnation. Is from the Greek word "katavkrima" and means a sentance of damnation. It is found only three times in the entire Bible and all three in the epistle to the Romans; here and in 5:16 and 5:18.
8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death....
oJ ga;r novmoß tou' pneuvmatoß th'ß zwh'ß ejn Xristw'/ #Ihsou' hjleuqevrwsevn se ajpo; tou' novmou th'ß aJmartivaß kai; tou' qanavtou.
law of the Spirit. The New Testament speaks of being of "under the law to Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21); "the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2); and "the perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25; 2:12). Sadly, the blessing of grace can be abused some who profess to be Christians, cf. Galatians 1:6-10. This is why the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ is spoken of here; there are indeed commandments, instructions, and reglations associated with being in the faith of Christ; and this is a good part of the reason why God has given us His word. Those who reject, refuse or ignore the fact the gospel demands obedience are only bringing damnation upon themselves:
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" - 1 Peter 4:17.
"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" - 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9.
What or who then is a legalist? How do we define a legalist? A legalist is one who appears to obey the examples of Christianity that we find in the Bible, to some degree, than adopts a self-righteous demeanor similar to the Pharisees. On the other hand, it is very wrong to call one who exhorts to obey the commandments of the words of Christ a legalist.
hath made me free. Letting the Bible be its own divine interpreter and comparing spirtual with spiritual, we see Paul getting into the subject matter of the Holy Spirit working through Christ who has pre-eminance (cf.John 16:13,14 & Colossians 1:18; the Spirit was poured forth at Pentecost, the Spirit would glorify Christ (John 16:14), who has pre-eminance; and the Spirit does this through the Words of Christ, which of course are truth:
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31,32.
8:3 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:
to; ga;r ajduvnaton tou' novmou, ejn wJ'/ hjsqevnei dia; th'ß sarkovß, oJ qeo;ß to;n eJautou' uiJo;n pevmyaß ejn oJmoiwvmati sarko;ß aJmartivaß kai; peri; aJmartivaß katevkrinen th;n aJmartivan ejn th'/ sarkiv,
The Mosaic law was weak, not because it was designed that way by God, but because mankind, tainted by a sinful nature is too weak in themselves to be able to faithfully live according to it. Therefore and thankfully, God's chosen people can obtain victory over the flesh by the faith of the LORD Jesus Christ. What the law and man could not do, God did: ... the eternal Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, cf. John 1:1,14. Christ came infinately sinless and suffered and died to remove the penalty of spiritual death from us. This would satisfy the law's requirement that penalty be made for sin; yet at the same time Christ, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily remained altogether righteous.
"katevkrinen" is the verb form of "condemnation found in verse 1 of Romans 8. It alludes to an action of justice.
in the likeness of sinful flesh. This is not saying that Christ came in sinful flesh, rather in the likeness of sinful flesh. In other words, He came to be offered for the sins of sinful mankind. Christ came to pay the penalty for the sins of God's chosen, a people God would have for Himself.:
"Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." - Romans 4:7,8. (a quote of Psalm 32:1).
condemned sin in the flesh. Although sinless, Jesus suffered, died and paid the penalty for the sins of His people. He "condemned" sin in the flesh in the sense that He took upon Himself a human nature and was tempted in all the same ways that we are as humans, yet He did not give way to satan. He condemned sin in the flesh because we are in the flesh, yet we often continually yield to sin; Jesus did not. Surely in many ways a mystery, cf. Deuteronomy 29:29; Christ is holy and we are mere flesh andwe are nothing without Him in any sense spiritually.
8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
i&na to; dikaivwma tou' novmou plhrwqh'/ ejn hJmi'n toi'ß mh; kata; savrka peripatou'sin ajlla; kata; pneu'ma.
The law is fulfilled in the LORD Jesus Christ. Furthermore, as Christians are in a spiritual sense deemed the body of Christ, the law is fulfilled in us as we lead our lives by setting our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith; cf. Hebrews 12:2.
The word "i&na" translated "that" in the KJV indicates the purpose of God's condemnation of sin.
"dikaivwma" traslated as "righteousness" in the KJV is defined by Strong's concordance as: "that which has been deemed right so as to have force of law; what has been established, and ordained by law, an ordinance; a judicial decision, sentence of God either the favourable judgment by which he acquits man and declares them acceptable to Him; unfavourable: sentence of condemnation; a righteous act or deed.
King James Word Usage - Total: 10 righteousness 4, ordinance 3, judgment 2, justification 1."
The Bible tells us how we walk by the Spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are described in Galatians 5:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." - Galatians 5:22,23.
8:5 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.
oiJ ga;r kata; savrka o~nteß ta; th'ß sarko;ß fronou'sin, oiJ de; kata; pneu'ma ta; tou' pneuvmatoß.
Verses 5-11 begin to discuss the deliverance from the bondage of sin. Verse 5 connects to verse 4 in that our justification and sanctification will be evidence by the newness of our walk of life in Christ.
mind. Is from "fronevw"; meaning harmony, the same view or mindset, or to strive toward.
mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. We are instructed as believers to "test the spirits". cf. 1 John 4:1. So when it is obvious that ones spirit is led by satan to pursue the things of the world, that is giving ones attention to the things of the world, which we are not to love, cf. 1 John 2:15-17. The things of the world are passing away, but those who are in Christ will enjoy the blessings of comfort, peace and eternal life.
8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
to; ga;r frovnhma th'ß sarko;ß qavnatoß, to; de; frovnhma tou' pneuvmatoß zwh; kai; eijrhvnh:
Like the verb "mind" in verse 5, "minded" (frovnhma) is a noun neuter and offers the same view, that being what is in one's mind, their ideas and purposes. The death spoken of here is spiritual death, which is much more extremely serious than physical death, since it is a seperation from the LORD:
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." - Isaiah 59:2-8.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who set their minds not on God and Spiritual things, but on wordliness will upon their death be seperated from God eternally:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. " - Romans 6:23.
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:14,15.
The minding of the Spirit he calls life, for it is life-giving, or leads to life; and by peace he designates, after the manner of the Hebrews, every kind of happiness; for whatever the Spirit of God works in us tends to our felicity." - John Calvin, commentary on Romans 8:6.
8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
to; ga;r frovnhma th'ß sarko;ß qavnatoß, to; de; frovnhma tou' pneuvmatoß zwh; kai; eijrhvnh:
The mind that is focused on the things of the world and not the LORD is not holy; it is an enemy of the LORD:
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." - James 4:4.
8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
oiJ de; ejn sarki; o~nteß qew'/ ajrevsai ouj duvnantai.
They that are of the world cannot please God unlike those in whom the Word of Christ richly dwells, and in turn, more often then not they are also likewise uncompassionate to their fellow man:
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." - Colossians 3:12-17.
8:9 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.
uJmei'ß de; oujk ejste; ejn sarki; ajlla; ejn pneuvmati, ei~per pneu'ma qeou' oijkei' ejn uJmi'n. eij dev tiß pneu'ma Xristou' oujk e~cei, ouJ'toß oujk e~stin aujtou'.
As far as can be humanly understood, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ are one in the same; this is part of the divine mystery of God; One God spoken of as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
If this be true, it is strange that we are accused of arrogance by the adversaries of the gospel, because we dare to avow that the Spirit of Christ dwells in us: for we must either deny Christ, or confess that we become Christians through his Spirit. It is indeed dreadful to hear that men have so departed from the word of the Lord, that they not only vaunt that they are Christians without God’s Spirit, but also ridicule the faith of others: but such is the philosophy of the Papists.
But let readers observe here, that the Spirit is, without any distinction, called sometimes the Spirit of God the Father, and sometimes the Spirit of Christ; and thus called, not only because his whole fulness was poured on Christ as our Mediator and head, so that from him a portion might descend on each of us, but also because he is equally the Spirit of the Father and of the Son, who have one essence, and the same eternal divinity." - John Calvin, Commentary on Romans 8:9.
8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
eij de; Xristo;ß ejn uJmi'n, to; me;n sw'ma nekro;n dia; aJmartivan, to; de; pneu'ma zwh; dia; dikaiosuvnhn.
"What he had before said of the Spirit he says now of Christ, in order that the mode of Christ’s dwelling in us might be intimated; for as by the Spirit he consecrates us as temples to himself, so by the same he dwells in us. But what we have before referred to, he now explains more fully — that the children of God are counted spiritual, not on the ground of a full and complete perfection, but only on account of the newness of life that is begun in them. And he anticipates here an occasion of doubt, which might have otherwise disturbed us; for though the Spirit possesses a part of us, we yet see another part still under the power of death. He then gives this answer — that the power of quickening is in the Spirit of Christ, which will be effectual in swallowing up our mortality. He hence concludes that we must patiently wait until the relics of sin be entirely abolished." - John Calvin, Commentary on Romans 8:10.
The body here refers to one of a saved individual. This appears to be the same subject spoken of in Philippians.:
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:1-11.
8:11 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.
eij de; to; pneu'ma tou' ejgeivrantoß to;n #Ihsou'n ejk nekrw'n oijkei' ejn uJmi'n, oJ ejgeivraß Xristo;n ejk nekrw'n zw/opoihvsei kai; ta; qnhta; swvmata uJmw'n dia; tou' ejnoikou'ntoß aujtou' pneuvmatoß ejn uJmi'n.
8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
~ara ou\n, ajdelfoiv, ojfeilevtai ejsmevn, ouj th'/ sarki; tou' kata; savrka zh'n:
Those who are saved are in debt to God. We repay this debt bt the Spirit working to guide us by praying for His aid in not giving way to evil.
8:13 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.
eij ga;r kata; savrka zh'te mevllete ajpoqnhv/skein, eij de; pneuvmati ta;ß pravxeiß tou' swvmatoß qanatou'te zhvsesqe.
Colossians 3:5 discusses some of the things associated with living after the flesh:
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:" Colossians 3:5.
Evil will destroy the life of the unbeliever; but the child of God will resist evil.
Concerning this verse, Calvin eloquently comments:
8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
o&soi ga;r pneuvmati qeou' a~gontai, ouJ'toi uiJoi; qeou' eijsin.
led by the Spirit. God the Holy Spirit works through the Word, the infalliable Holy Bible; in the redemption and sanctification of the sinners as we note the words Spirit and Word are often used interchangebly, All part of the mystery of the Divine Godhead; but there should be no doubt thaty we are led in life by the Word of God:
"The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue." - 2 Samuel 23:2.
"Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." - Proverbs 1:23.
"O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?" - Micah 2:7.
"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6.
"Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts." - Zechariah 7:12.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" - Ephesians 6:17.
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." - John 6:63.
Being led by God's Words defines us as being children of God. In turn, we are led by God's Words through no merit of our own, but by the grace of God:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12,13.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10.
"not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" 2 Timothy 1:8-10.
8:15 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.
ouj ga;r ejlavbete pneu'ma douleivaß pavlin eijß fovbon, ajlla; ejlavbete pneu'ma uiJoqesivaß, ejn wJ'/ kravzomen, Abba oJ pathvr:
The obvious question is if "pneu'ma" is speaking of the Holy Spirit or of the human spirit or heart. It would appear to indeed refer to the Holy Spirit as it is in the aortitst tense, indicating a one-time event in the past.
We cry Abba, Father in the sense that those who are true christians, have God as their Father and the right to truly call Him Father, especially in prayer through Christ, another Divine mystery of the Godhead.
8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
aujto; to; pneu'ma summarturei' tw'/ pneuvmati hJmw'n o&ti ejsme;n tevkna qeou'.
Note here that the word "with" is not pointing to becoming saved, but rather witnessing to the fact that we are children of God. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, which includes all promises to believers of eternal life in glory. The Holy Spirit works through the Holy Bible which He has given us for instruction that we may show obedience and holiness as the Word of Christ richly dwells in us, thus, we bear witness that we are children of God.:
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." - Colossians 3:12-17.
8:17 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.
eij de; tevkna, kai; klhronovmoi: klhronovmoi me;n qeou', sugklhronovmoi de; Xristou', ei~per sumpavscomen i&na kai; sundoxasqw'men.
The Holy Spirit speaks through the written Word, the infallible and Holy Bible, giving witness to the truths of salvation and rewards.
As Christians we are worthy of being glorified with Christ; however, we must also willingly suffer with and for Him; keeping in view our ultimate inheritance in heaven:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." - 1 Peter 1:3-5.
"eij de;"; as in verse 9, more literally points to "if indeed". This points to a specific condition of first suffering, then being glorified, just as Christ was and is; note:
"Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" - Luke 24:26.
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." - Hebrews 2:10.
The idea of suffering for Christ and righteousness is very clearly stated in many passages in the Bible, please see and read especially Matthew 5:10-12; Philippians 1:29; 3:10; 2 Corinthians 1:5-7; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4.
All this being said, our main focus should not be on the fact that afflictions come with the new life of being a Christian; but rather faithfully suffering with Christ which leads to our glory:
"Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:10-18.
8:18 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.
Logivzomai ga;r o&ti oujk a~xia ta; paqhvmata tou' nu'n kairou' pro;ß th;n mevllousan dovxan ajpokalufqh'nai eijß hJma'ß.
In vv.18-25 we find many encouragements to endure suffering. The first encouragement is found in the fact that we must view our sufferings as a pixel in the overall picture that is eternity. Our present sufferings are evidence or prophecy of our future honor in heaven. Or to be more specific, those of us who share in the first fruits of the Spirit patiently wait for the day when we receive our newly resurrected bodies for eternity future. Patience and hope are evidences or characteristics of the true child of God.
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" - Romans 8:24.
Hope is even made the more easier for Christians under the New Covenant, looking upon the grace of Christ in contrast to the law.
I reckon that the sufferings of this present time. Part of the Christian life is the easy yoke of setting our eyes upon grace. This is balanced by God in the fact that as Christians we too especially must carry our crosses and suffer in this world. We suffer because of mankinds sin and the sin cursed world; we also suffer because Christ sufferd and we walk in the way knowing these sufferings are momentary and setting our hearts upon the wonderful future promises of the LORD:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17,18.
Unfortunately, today many do not want to recieve these truths of the Bible as we see the "health & wealth" gospels of today sprouting up for many with itching ears, we know however from many, many places in the Bible that this was not the case with the first apostles and disciples, and it is not true now, all who are in Christ must share in the sufferings that pave the path to glory.
8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
hJ ga;r ajpokaradokiva th'ß ktivsewß th;n ajpokavluyin tw'n uiJw'n tou' qeou' ajpekdevcetai:
Throught the history of the world the children of God who are now deceased will be innumerable in human terms, these souls and Christians who are alive today all look toward the last day and the final resurrection.:
"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." - Revelation 7:1-12.
8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
th'/ ga;r mataiovthti hJ ktivsiß uJpetavgh, oujc eJkou'sa ajlla; dia; to;n uJpotavxanta, ejfj eJlpivdi
creature. As we see from the Greek, the word "creature" is the same word as in verse 19. It's word origin goes back to "ktavomai'" (Strongs #2932) and points to acquiring something as in Luke 21:
"In your patience possess ye your souls." - Luke 21:19.
It is also used in Matthew 10:9; Luke 18:12; Acts 1:18; 8:20; 22:28; and 1 Thessalonians 4:4.
vanity. Is defined by Strong's Concordance as: "what is devoid of truth and appropriateness perverseness, depravity frailty, want of vigour". It is from "mataiovthti" and found in 2 other places in the New Testament, Ephesians 4:17 & 2 Peter 2:18.
What creation can expect to receive on the last day is a new heaven and earth. This we read of in a few different places in the Bible, for example in Isaiah 65 we read:
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 65:17-25.
I do believe Romans 8:20 is teaching that the inanimate creation of God such as the vegetation is hoping and yearning for a deliverance. God here is giving us a parable; he is telling us here as in Revelation 5:13 and Psalm 148 that the whole creation will be redeemed and praising Him forevermore.
The unsaved as well will give glory to God. We read in Philippians 2:9-11: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
On judgement day, Christ will judge. Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross will return with honor and power to judge all mankind.
As Christians we are to in a similar manner, walk very meekly, in humility as often we are ridiculed for the faith of Christ. On the last day it will all be very, very different as the violent and proud of the world are judged, and as we read in 1 Corinthians 6, we will be judging them with our Saviour.
Psalm 39 speaks of the vanity of life, all of which will end:
"Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." - Psalm 39:5-12.
8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
o&ti kai; aujth; hJ ktivsiß ejleuqerwqhvsetai ajpo; th'ß douleivaß th'ß fqora'ß eijß th;n ejleuqerivan th'ß dovxhß tw'n tevknwn tou' qeou'.
corruption. Corruption here is "fqora'ß "; it can mean moral decay as in 2 Peter 1:4 & 2:19 or on the other hand, as it is used here, a collapse of the physical world.
In a sense, the entire universe fell when sin began in the garden of Eden; but the good news is that Jesus has paid the penalty of sin for His people. The children of God will receive newly resurrected bodies as well as a new cosmos. This will all take place during the second coming of Christ:
"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." - Matthew 19:28.
"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." - Acts 3:21 nas.
As we read above in Isaiah 65 as well as Isaiah 66 and 2 Peter 3 and Revelation 21, we look forward to a new heaven and new earth in which dwells only righteousness. There will no longer be any curse, but surely the meek will inherit the earth, cf. Matthew 5:5; Revelation 22:3.
The wedding gift to Christ and His children will be in place forever. Amen!:
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." - Revelation 21:1,2.
8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
oi~damen ga;r o&ti pa'sa hJ ktivsiß sustenavzei kai; sunwdivnei a~cri tou' nu'n:
8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
ouj movnon dev, ajlla; kai; aujtoi; th;n ajparch;n tou' pneuvmatoß e~conteß hJmei'ß kai; aujtoi; ejn eJautoi'ß stenavzomen uiJoqesivan ajpekdecovmenoi, th;n ajpoluvtrwsin tou' swvmatoß hJmw'n.
The adoption spoken of in verse 23 is pointing to salvation. Christ's children will be delivered from the grave to a transformed resurrected body, all part of the glorious benefits of salvation; of being a Christian.
During our present lives, thenature of salvation will not be fully realized. The things we hope for and the goodness and love of God that will prevail are all promises yet to be revealed as we read in God's word. God is truth, therefore He is true to His Word and all such good things will come to fruition.
8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
th'/ ga;r ejlpivdi ejswvqhmen: ejlpi;ß de; blepomevnh oujk e~stin ejlpivß: oJ; ga;r blevpei tivß ejlpivzei;
hope. Hope is one of the greatest virtues.:
"Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope." - 1 Corinthians 9:10.
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." - 1 Corinthians 13:13.
8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
eij de; oJ; ouj blevpomen ejlpivzomen, dij uJpomonh'ß ajpekdecovmeqa.
patience. Likewise, patience goes hand and hand with hope; patience and hope compliment and work together in the life of a child of God. Although not mentioned with the virtues of faith, hope and love in 1 Corinthians 13:13, patience is an extremely important virture that we read about in the Holy Bible. Paul speaks of patience many times in the New Testament and in the KJV we find the word patience used by Paul five times; here in 8:25, as well as 5:3, 5:4; 15:4 and 15:5.
Patience is a characteristic of love:
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant," - 1 Corinthains 13:4 nas.
Patience is a Christian grace that is commanded by God and exemplified by the prophets:
"You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord." - James 5:8-10 nas.
In other words, through patience and endurance we are eagerly awiting good things in the new earth and heaven.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
JWsauvtwß de; kai; to; pneu'ma sunantilambavnetai th'/ ajsqeneiva/ hJmw'n: to; ga;r tiv proseuxwvmeqa kaqo; dei' oujk oi~damen, ajlla; aujto; to; pneu'ma uJperentugcavnei stenagmoi'ß ajlalhvtoiß:
As we have read in the earlier verses in Romans 8, our weaknesses are helped very, very much by the promises the Holy Spirit brings in God's Word. This is the essence of Christian hope, to long for our eternal home in heaven.
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:. There has been some misunderstand of this in the past; we know that Jesus offered instructions for us for prayer:
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:9-15.
Jesus also said:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." - John 14:12-14.
So what I believe is being taught here in Romans is that although we do have instructions how to pray; if we do not offer the perfect prayer; intercession will be made by God the Holy Spirit through Christ to God the Father in that our prayers ascend in perfection; much of this of course being a great, and divine mystery to us at this time, cf. Deuteronomy 29:29. Both God the Son and God the Holy Spirit act as intercessors for the Christian to God the Father:
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." - Hebrews 7:25.
groanings. The Holy Spirit does the "groaning"; what this is again a divine mystery to mankind spoken of in God's Word. Jesus told the disciples that He would send a "helper", cf. John 14:16; that being the Holy Spirit; it is a comfort and encouragement to know He is there to help us in spiritual things such as redemption, sanctification, and prayer.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
oJ de; ejraunw'n ta;ß kardivaß oi\den tiv to; frovnhma tou' pneuvmatoß, o&ti kata; qeo;n ejntugcavnei uJpe;r aJgivwn.
he that searcheth the hearts. God searches the hearts. We know this from passages elsewhere in the Bible as we compare scripture with scripture:
"Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart." - Psalm 44:21.
"I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." - Jeremiah 17:10.
"And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen." - Acts 1:24 nas.
for the saints. It should be noted here that the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit is not for all men in general, but for the saints, God's children are granted this special privilidge as part of their election.
according to the will of God. Anything the God the Holy Spirit brings before God the Father will be according to God's perfect and divine will; nothing that is not part of God's good will shall be put before Him, again a Divine and awesome mystery.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
oi~damen de; o&ti toi'ß ajgapw'sin to;n qeo;n pavnta sunergei' eijß ajgaqovn, toi'ß kata; provqesin klhtoi'ß ou\sin.
all things work together for good. Not difficult to understand at all. Just as our Creator saw that His creation was good (Genesis 1:4), so too does God work all things together to them that love God, to them unto He has elected in the mystery of providence, His eternal and infinite goodness. However, if one does not love God, they cannot see all His workings as good. All things work according to His goodness and nothing can stand against that fact! As Christians, we have been called by the LORD Jesus Himself, cf. 2 Timothy 1:8,9.
purpose. Is from the Greek "provqesiß" and found in 11 other places in the New Testament; it is synonymous with "view". So we are encoraged not to worry; should the entire world be collapsing, it will be all in the hands of God and His children ultimately safe. This is a promise to every Christian; but the unsaved will suffer the fate of eternal damnation. Often things may seem to be troublesome in our lives, such as afflictions, but they too work out for the good since those suffering will be better able to relate to the afflictions and sufferings of others, as to minister to them; whereas those blessed with many worldly possessions, will not be able to relate, cf. Matthew 5:4. This really hits to the heart of the Christian's calling, cf. Hebrews 13:1. I believe "purpose" to be a "keyword" in understanding all of this. The purpose namely being our eventual reward in heaven, note:
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, - 2 Timothy 3:10.
The fruits of the believer and purpose of Christ all go hand in hand together perfectly. This is the nature of the true gospel calling.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
o&ti ouJ;ß proevgnw, kai; prowvrisen summovrfouß th'ß eijkovnoß tou' uiJou' aujtou', eijß to; ei\nai aujto;n prwtovtokon ejn polloi'ß ajdelfoi'ß:
foreknow. Is defined by Strong's Concordance as: to have knowledge before hand; to foreknow; of those whom God elected to salvation; to predestinate.". This exludes the idea of free-will when it comes to salvation, all is in the hands of Christ's goodness and nothing could be lovlier than that fact. God knows each and every one of His children, every hair upon their head is numbered, cf. Matthew 10:29,30. God will not reject His people, whom He did foreknow, cf. Romans 11:2. And in the sweet by and by we will be conformed to His image; cf. Philippians 3:21 and 1 John 3:1-3. As Christians, this is what we are predestined for, heaven, in a brand new glorified body in the model of Christ's.
brethren. This refers to other believers as we go through life on earth, we are united by the bond of affection, through the LORD Jesus.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
ouJ;ß de; prowvrisen, touvtouß kai; ejkavlesen: kai; ouJ;ß ejkavlesen, touvtouß kai; ejdikaivwsen: ouJ;ß de; ejdikaivwsen, touvtouß kai; ejdovxasen.
The fact that God predestines, calls, justifies and glorifies is worded very carefully here by God the Holy Spirit, the author of the Bible; it is in precise order and four things are mentioned. In the Bible, the number four, when used in a spiritual way, often represents universiality; so God will accomplish these things throughout time and the world and nothing will be able to stand against His good will. When an individual is saved, God saves them from all their sins: past, present and future, they cannot fall. Although living in a fleshly body, they will sin, but it will in fact be covered, cf. Romans 4:7,8. This is a quote of Psalm 32 in Romans 4 and it has always been that way weather one lived during the old or new covenants. God calls and saves those whom He loves through His word, the infallible Holy Bible see Romans 10:17. The Bible gives us evidence such as the resurrection of Jesus that His people will not be forgotten. We love Him, because He first loved us, cf. 1 John 4:19ff.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Tiv ou\n ejrou'men pro;ß tau'ta; eij oJ qeo;ß uJpe;r hJmw'n, tivß kaqj hJmw'n;
these things. This refers to the things previously mentioned; namely, hope, the help of the Holy Spirit and the Divine goodness of the mysteries of providence from Jehovah God.
Psalm 118:6 tells us that we should not fear what mankind can do to us; this is again repeated in Psalm 56:4,11. We have hope, the Holy Spirit and divine goodness from the foundation of the world on our side, therefore what can mankind do to a true child of God? While it is true that the forces of evil are continually bearing against the Christian, we need not be afraid because in the sweet bye and bye, God will vindicate everything with vengeance --- the forces of good will triumph over the forces of evil; the Bible tells us so, it is the Word of God, altogether true and therefore we believe it.
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
o&ß ge tou' ijdivou uiJou' oujk ejfeivsato, ajlla; uJpe;r hJmw'n pavntwn parevdwken aujtovn, pw'ß oujci; kai; su;n aujtw'/ ta; pavnta hJmi'n carivsetai;
God gives His children "all" things in the sense of the fact He gives each one of His children everything they need to secure their future promised home in heaven. If we pray for a Rolls Royce and do not get it, that is because God has deemed it best for us not to have it. Of course many in the false "health and wealth" gospels cannot understand this since they do not have "ears to hear"; again we see how more often the most misunderstood words in the Bible are not the big words, but usually the small ones like the little word "all". This in turn is a great encouragemnt for the Christian life, knowing that God will supply all our needs by giving us according to His divine, infinite goodness. Therefore we realize, God is speaking in a Spiritual sense, not a literal one.
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
tivß ejgkalevsei kata; ejklektw'n qeou'; qeo;ß oJ dikaiw'n:
The drift of the whole is, that we are not only freed from terror by present remedies, but that God comes to our aid beforehand, that he may better provide for our confidence.
But it must be here observed, as we have before reminded you, that to be justified, according to Paul, is to be absolved by the sentence of God, and to be counted just; and it is not difficult to prove this from the present passage, in which he reasons by affirming one thing which nullifies its opposite; for to absolve and to regard persons as guilty, are contrary things. Hence God will allow no accusation against us, because he has absolved us from all sins. The devil no doubt is an accuser of all the godly: the very law of God and their own conscience convict them; but all these prevail nothing with the judge, who justifies them. Therefore no adversary can shake or endanger our salvation.
Further, he so mentions the elect, as one who doubted not but that he was of their number; and he knew this, not by special revelation, (as some sophists falsely imagine,) but by a perception (sensu-feeling) common to all the godly. What then is here said of the elect, every one of the godly, according to the example of Paul, may apply to himself; for this doctrine would have been not only frigid, but wholly lifeless had he buried election in the secret purpose of God. But when we know, that there is here designedly set before us what every one of the godly ought to appropriate to himself, there is no doubt but that we are all encouraged to examine our calling, so that we may become assured that we are the children of God.] - John Calvin, Commentary on Romans 8:33.
Isaiah 50 likewise speaks of God's justification:
"He who vindicates Me is near; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand up to each other; Who has a case against Me? Let him draw near to Me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me; Who is he who condemns Me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; The moth will eat them. Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with firebrands, Walk in the light of your fire And among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: You will lie down in torment." - Isaiah 50:8ff, nas.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
tivß oJ katakrinw'n; Xristo;ß Í*jihsou'sÑ oJ ajpoqanwvn, ma'llon de; ejgerqeivß, oJ;ß kaiv ejstin ejn dexia'/ tou' qeou', oJ;ß kai; ejntugcavnei uJpe;r hJmw'n.
Christ makes intercession for us by the work He has done and through our prayers.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
tivß hJma'ß cwrivsei ajpo; th'ß ajgavphß tou' Xristou'; qli'yiß h^ stenocwriva h^ diwgmo;ß h^ limo;ß h^ gumnovthß h^ kivndunoß h^ mavcaira;
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
kaqw;ß gevgraptai o&ti &eneken sou' qanatouvmeqa o&lhn th;n hJmevran, ejlogivsqhmen wJß provbata sfagh'ß.
When afflictions come upon us, we need not worry as to the source of the affliction, but rather focus on the love of Christ. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Here in Romans 8:36 we have a quote of Psalm 44:22. Under the Old Covenant, national Israel were God's chosen people (cf. Deuteronomy 4:7); yet daily when under the captivity of Babylon, they were murdered as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
ajll# ejn touvtoiß pa'sin uJpernikw'men dia; tou' ajgaphvsantoß hJma'ß.
Christians are more than conquerers in the sense that Christ has done all the conquering for us. Even death, spiritual death, has been overcome through the atoning work of the LORD Jesus Christ, cf. 1 Corinthians 15:54ff. As Christians we conquer trials by putting on the whole armour of God, cf. Ephesians 6:10ff. Our nature has been made incorruptable and we pray and stay close to the Holy Bible, the infallible Words of God as we await our future rest from the toils of this life.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
pevpeismai ga;r o&ti ou~te qavnatoß ou~te zwh; ou~te a~ggeloi ou~te ajrcai; ou~te ejnestw'ta ou~te mevllonta ou~te dunavmeiß
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ou~te u&ywma ou~te bavqoß ou~te tiß ktivsiß eJtevra dunhvsetai hJma'ß cwrivsai ajpo; th'ß ajgavphß tou' qeou' th'ß ejn Xristw'/ #Ihsou' tw'/ kurivw/ hJmw'n.
God, through Paul, touches upon this earlier in the epistle; with wonderful reassurance we read:
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 nas.
Indeed:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1 nas.
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