COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
By Dr. John R. Stone
Romans 8:1-11
Part 22
Overview:
The climax of Paul’s description of the process of sanctification in a believer’s life is found in Romans chapter eight. Paul’s explanation of the full benefits of the gospel of grace reaches a new level of excitement and wonder in this chapter. In chapters 1-2 Paul laid the foundation for sin and the need for salvation. In chapters 3-5 he defined the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. In chapters 6-8 he set forth the truth about sanctification and how the believer is set free from the bondage of sin. The glorious gospel shines forth in all its beauty here as Paul explains the believer’s freedom from sin and declares the guarantee of final victory for every child of God. In the first eleven verses of this chapter Paul develops his argument through a three-fold contrast between God’s provision for His children and the condition of those who are unregenerate (not saved).
Vss. 1-4: Abiding Principle (Enduring Basic Truth): Law vs. (versus) Spirit
The first of these three contrasts has to do with the Law vs. the Spirit and the incredible benefit of a salvation that is by grace through faith. For the believer in Christ there is no condemnation before God. The believer will never ever again be subject to God’s wrath nor come under the condemnation of a holy God. This fact is almost too good to be true, but it is true because the child of God is “hidden with Christ in God” and stands before the Father clothed in the righteousness of His dear Son. The believer is as acceptable in God’s sight as His own Son is. The believer is free from the “law of sin and of death” and is no longer subject to condemnation because of failure to keep the Law.
Just as an eagle falls toward the ground because of the law of gravity, but soars when it spreads its wings because the law of lift overcomes the law of gravity, even so the believer is bound by “the law of sin and of death” until he spreads the wings of faith and soars into spiritual freedom. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets him free from the law of sin and death. The Law could not produce righteousness in the believer, but by the power of life in Christ the Spirit produces in the believer what the Law requires.
Vss. 5-8: Temporary Conflict (Short-lived Clash): Flesh vs. Spirit
The second of Paul’s three contrasts in this passage is the contrast between the flesh and the Spirit in verses 5-8. Those who are “according to the flesh” are unsaved people, and those who are “according to the Spirit” are saved people. Unsaved people cannot please God no matter how good they might appear to be in the eyes of men. It is only what the Spirit produces in the lives of believers that pleases God. It is because of this fact that salvation must be by grace, not by works, because the unregenerate man cannot earn favor with God.
Vss. 9-11: Ultimate Triumph (Final Victory): Death vs. Life
There is no such thing as a Christian who does not have the Holy Spirit, as some claim. Every true believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and sealed by Him unto the day of redemption. There are no exceptions to this blessed reality, and it is this truth that provides the guarantee of triumph for the believer. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the seal of God’s ownership. He gives spiritual life here and now for the believer, and He guarantees physical resurrection in the future. This eternal life and spiritual freedom are available for all who abandon their hope of earning God’s favor and, instead, trust completely in what Jesus did on the cross for sinners.
Top of page >
Chapter 7:13-25 >
Chapter 8:12-17 >
|
