Romans 8

1 From that which hath been hitherto declared, the Apostle draws this consolation, that there is no more condemnation of believers, 4 and exhorts them with divers motives, that they must not walk after the flesh but after the spirit. 17 Declares further that the lot of believers in this life, is to suffer with Christ, but strengthens them against it with the greatness of the glory which shall follow after, 19 sets before them the example of the whole creation, which had a natural longing after it. 23 Comforts them further by the hope which they themselves have thereof, 26 and by the help of the Holy Ghost in prayer. 28. Withall by the assurance which, notwithstanding all their sufferings, they hold fast of their election, calling, justification and glorification. 31 Concludes this comfort with a glorying in Christ against all that which might be able to accuse them through Christ they shall overcome in all things.

1. There is therefore [This therefore hath reference to that which the Apostle hath hitherto taught in this Epistle. Namely, the man is righteous not by the Law, but by faith in Christ: and that he is delivered from the dominion of sin by the spirit of Christ, although there still remains a strife in him] now no condemnation [he said not nothing damnable, for sin in itself is always damnable, Rom.3.19. but it extends not to damnation of the faithful, because sin is forgiven to believers for Christs sake, and therefore he adds, for them that are in Jesus Christ, i.e. that are united him by a true faith, Ephes. 3.17.] for them that are in Jesus Christ; who walk not after the flesh [that is, who follow not the lusts of the flesh, or live not according to the same. This the Apostle opposeth to those that are Christians in word, as an evidence of those, who are truly united to Christ by faith, and consequently delivered from all condemnation, Job. 15.v2.3.] but after the spirit.

2. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus [That is, the quickening spirit which is in Jesus Christ] hath made me free from the law of sin [that is, the power of sin which formerly reigned in us. And this is a strong proof of the last part of the first verse, that believers walk not after the flesh but after the spirit] and of death.

3. For [In these two verses he proves the first part of the first verse, namely, that there is no condemnation for believers] that which was impossible to the law, [Gr. The impossible of the law, i.e. because it was impossible to the law to do away sin, or to justify man before God] seeing it was powerless through the flesh, {or impotent, namely, through the corruption of our nature to justify us and give us life] God sending his Son in the likeness [Christs manhood was true humane nature, but no sinful nature, but had only the likeness of sinful nature, because he bare all our infirmities, in which we lay through sin, Phil.2.7.] of sinful flesh, [Gr. Of the flesh of sin] and (that) for sin [that is, a sacrifice for sin, Hebrews 10:6. Or for the expiation and abolition of sin, Romans 4:25. 1 Cor. 15.3.] condemned sin [that is, punished, put to death, and took the power accusing it] in the flesh. [namely, of Christ, i.e. by the sacrifice of Christ, who suffered for us in the flesh.]

4. That the right Law [That is, that which the Law required, which promised life to those which perfectly kept the Law, which demand Christ fulfilled for us, Galatians 3:13,14. and 4.4,5.] might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.[this the Apostle repeats again out of the first verse, not as a cause of justification, which he had denied even of Abraham and David themselves, chapter 4.but as an evidence, whereby believers may be assured of the truth of their faith, and consequently of their justification: and he lays this evidence as a foundation whereto build the following exhortation.]

5. For they that are after the flesh, [That is, in whom natural corruption hath yet its full power as before] think upon that which is of flesh, [or mind, consider, i.e. with their understanding and all their services are carried after fleshly things; the fruits wherefore are described at large, Galatians 5:19,20,21.] but they that are the spirit, [that is who are regenerated by the Spirit of God] (think upon) that which is of the spirit. [that is, give them to and are carried after the spiritual things; which are also at large described by the Apostle, Gal.5.22.]

6. For the cogitation of the flesh is death; [That is, leads and brings a man to death] but the cogitation of the spirit is life and peace. [that is, the way to everlasting life and everlasting peace, Romans 2:10.]

7. For this cause that the bethinking of the flesh is enmity against God: [That is, hostile minded against God, not that the carnal mind always intendeth to hate God as an enemy, but because that which he take delight in, is odious and hateful to God, and he hereby makes himself hateful before God, Deuteronomy 5:9. Rom.1.20.] for it doth not subject it self to the Law of God, and obey that from the heart: namely, by reason of the corruption and perverseness which is therein, and in the world, wherein it takes pleasure, 1 John 2:15,16.]

8. And they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [Namely, as long as they are not delivered out of it by the spirit of Christ.]

9. But ye [Namely, who have believed in Christ: For to them he properly writes, Romans 1:7.] are not in the flesh [that is, after the flesh, as is expounded v.5.] if so be [or seeing, forasmuch as. So also v.17.] the spirit of God dwelleth in you; [namely, by his gracious operations, such as are illumination of the understanding, confirmation of faith, assurance of salvation, exciting us to prayer, moving to spiritual desires, consolation in crosses and temptations, etc. For where a man dwells as Lord, there he hath his command, and there he doth his ordinary work, John 14:16, 17. 1 Cor. 3.16.] but if any man hath not the spirit of Christ, [that is, the same spirit which in the foregoing verse is called the spirit of God, namely, the Father, and is here also called the spirit of Christ, because he also proceeds from Christ, and is procured for us by Christ, John 14:26. and16.7. Galatians 4:6.] he belongeth not to him. [namely, as a true member of his body, which liveth and hath its spiritual motion only by this spirit.]

10. And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead [That is, still mortal or subject to corporal death as is expounded v, 11.] because of sin: [that is, because of the remainder of sin which are yet in you, 1 Cor. 15.56.] but the spirit [that is, your soul which is renewed by spirit of God, as appears by the opposition of the body] is life [that is, partaker of eternal life, and shall always be with God in glory, albeit the body must be put off for a time, 2 Cor. 5.1.8.] because of righteousness, [namely, whereby ye are justified, and whereupon sanctification follows also, which Christ begins in us here, and hereafter shall perfect in us, seeing he will not let the work stick, which he hath begun.]

11. And 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 [That is, raise up again to an eternal life, where no sin nor death shall have place no more] your mortal bodies, by his spirit which dwelleth in you. [for as the Father raiseth the dead, so the Son also raiseth the dead, John 5:21. and here also the Holy Ghost as one and the same God with them, and of the same power.]

12. So then brethren we are debtors [That is, bound and obliged by the benefit which we have already received, and yet expect] not to the flesh to live after the flesh.

13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall dye: [Namely, eternal death, as appears by which is here promised. And this the Apostle saith not cause believers to doubt their salvation, for he will strongly prove the contrary from the verse following, to the end of the chapter: but he saith this to arm the more against the flesh, and to distinguish true believers, and are not such indeed, seeing they testify by their life, that they are not regenerated by the Spirit of God; whom by this grievous threatening he would bring to consideration and conversion] but if by the spirit [namely, which dwells in you, and hath already given you power of this purpose, if by prayers and other exercises of piety ye do but duely stir up the same, 1 Cor. 15.10. 2. Tim. 1.6.] ye do mortify [that is, resist, subdue, that they may not live or reign in you] the workings of the body, [that is, the lusts and motions of sin, which is yet remaining in you] ye shall live.

14. For as many as are led [Or driven i.e. enlightened in their understanding; and governed and guided in their will and inclinations, to do that which is pleasing unto God] by the Spirit of God, they are children of God. [that is, they have the certain evidence, that they are received for children by God, through faith in Christ, John 1:12. Ephesians 1:3. which also proves in the two following verses, by the proper operation of the Spirit which believers receive.]

15. For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage [So he calls the operation of the Spirit of God by the Law, which affrights and terrifies the heart of men by the threatening against the transgressors; as we have a clear example thereof in the Israelites, when God spoke out the Law of the ten commandments before them from the mountain, Exod. 20. ver. 19. To which the Apostle here alludes, as also Hebrews 12:18.19.] again unto fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, [hereby is understood the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost by the preaching of the holy Gospel, which revives the hearts of believers, and assures them of their adoption: to which purpose the following operation serve also See Galatians 4:6. Ephesians 4:30.] by which we cry Abba Father, in the Sriack tongue which the Apostle here retaineth , because it is a word full of affection, which young children retain in almost in all languages: and he adds to it the word Father not only to expound the same, but also the better express the moving and singular affection of believers in this crying unto God: as Christ also used this doubling of the word Father for this end, in his greatest distress, Mark 14:36. and on the Cross the doubling of the words, my, God, my God, Mark 15:34. See hereafter ver. 26.]

16. The same spirit witnesseth with our Spirit [Or, witnesseth together with our Spirit, i.e. The Holy Ghost doth not only move us to call upon God for our Father, but witnesseth also inwardly into our spirit that we are Gods children: Or, witnesseth with our Spirit, i.e. together with our Spirit, which witnesseth unto us also, by observing the evidence of our being children of God, which our spirit, the Spirit of God finds in it self: which testimony although it may not always alike powerful in believers; yet not withstanding it manifest it self many times in their greatest humiliation and distress] that we are children of God.

17. And if we are children, we are also heirs, heirs of God [Namely, as of our Father, who gives us part with him in his heavenly good things] and coheirs of Christ: [namely, as of our eldest brother, to whom the same belong by nature, and who makes us also partakers of the same by grace. See ver. 29. Luke 22:29. Hebrews 1:2.] if so be we suffer with (him) [that is, are willing to suffer and patient in the same, if it please God to call us hereunto, Acts 5:41. 2 Tim. 2.12. And here the Apostle begins the second part of this chapter, propounding divers solid reasons of consolation, to strengthen believers in this suffering, and to assure them of the victory over them at last, after his own example] that we may also be glorified with (him) [namely, with Christ Philippians 3:20.21.]

18. For I make account that the suffering of this present time [Gr. Of the time of now] is not to be valued against the glory [Or, is not worthy of the glory i.e. hath no likeness in worth with the glory, namely, both in respect of the greatness of this glory, as in respect of eternity thereof, whereas our suffering here is short and not laid upon us above that we are able, 2 Cor. 4 17. This is the first reason to move us to patience] which shall be revealed on us.

19. For [Gr. For the longing or waiting of the Creature, expecteth with the head lift-up etc. See also Philippians 1:20.] the Creature [namely, of heaven and earth, which now contrary to the first institution of God is subject to vanity, i.e. must serve wicked men, and also in a great part is subject to destruction for mans sake ver. 21. from which it shall be delivered again at the last day, Acts 3 ver. 21. 2 Pet. 3.12.13. For whereas some hereby understand as like Mark 16:15. it cannot stand, forasmuch as the ungodly long not after it; and of believers he will specially dircourse ver. 23. And this example is the second reason to move believers to patience] (as) with head lift up, expecteth the manifestation of the children of God.

20. For the creature is subject to vanity, not willingly [i.e. not of it self, or according to the order which God first appointed in the creation: for no creature seeks its own destruction] but for his sake who hath subjected it (to vanity.) that is, by reason of the sin of the curse came upon the (whole) earth, Genesis 3:17. and upon all other creatures, which must serve man in this state of corruption, Matthew 5:45. and are subject to the abuse of man.]

21. In hope [Before he called it expectation, for hope is a perfect expectation of anything. And is so called here because God hath promised this universal deliverance of the creature from destruction and abuse of men, which the Angels and holy souls long for, revel. 6.10. and the other Creatures seem to have a natural inclination, to which in the following verse by similitude is called a groaning, and traveling, whereupon deliverance is expected. Some join those words in hope to the former verse; and begin this verse thus. For the creature also &c.] that the creature it self also shall be made free from the bondage of corruption, unto the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

22. For we know that the whole creature groaneth together, and is ( as it were) in travel together until now.

23. And not only (this) but we our selves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, [So he calls the regenerate because they have received the first gift of the Holy Ghost, and expect that the rest also which are promised us shall follow; like the first fruits, which being offered up unto God, hallowed the whole mass. Rom. 11. ver.16.] even we our selves (I say) groaning our selves [that is, in the inmost of our hearts. See possession of the inheritance which was promised us in the adoption] (namely) the redemption of our body. [namely, from corruption and vanity, 1 Cor. 15.42.43.44. and this is the third ground of comfort under the Cross.]

24. For we are saved in hope, Now hope which is seen [That is, where the thing hoped for is present, or possessed already] is no hope; for that which a man seetth, why shall also hope for it? [Gr. Why doth he also hope for it.]

25. But if we hope for that which see not, [That is, do not yet fully possess, howsoever it be promised us by God, and shall follow in its time: and this belongs also to the third foundation of our comfort] we wait for it with patience.

26. And in like manner the Spirit also cometh to help (together) [The Greek word synantlambanetai signifies properly such an help, when one that is strong taketh up a burden against the other who is too weak, and sets his shoulders against the others to lift up the burden, and to under prop the others shoulders] our infirmities ; [namely, which in crosses and suffering we are still subject to, as well in our spirit which oftentimes murmurs against it, as may be seen in Job and David, as in our body which strail and weak] For we know not [namely, of our selves, when we are in distress, and can have no refuge but to God by prayer] what we shall pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it self prayeth for us. [the Greek word signifies to pray for any man, and is spoken of Christ hereafter ver. 34. who is our advocate with the Father, and as mediator prayeth for us 1 John 2:1. which cannot in such manner be ascribed to the Holy Ghost, seeing he is not properly our mediator : but here it signifies that the Holy Ghost stirs us to praying with inexpressible groans, and as it were spells our lesson before us, how e must pray in our troubles, Luke 12:11.12. John 16:13. Galatians 4:6.] with unutterable groaning.

27. And he that searcheth the heart [That is, God, who only knows mens hearts, 1 Kings 8:39. Revel. 2.23.] knoweth what is the meaning of the spirit: [or, consideration, meditation, namely of the prayer which the Spirit worketh in us] seeing he prayeth for the Saints according to God. [that is, according to Gods will, seeing he knoweth what God will upon for our salvation, how long he would have it to endure, how he will deliver us from it, and whether he will be glorified by our life or death etc. And this is the fourth foundation of our comfort.]

28. And we know [Here begins the last ground of consolation, which believers in all their troubles oppose against all temptations and tribulations, taken from Gods eternal counsel or firm purpose, through the midst of troubles, by the following means to bring us to salvation] that to them that love God, all things [that is, all troubles and tribulations, whereof he had hitherto spoken. See also ver. 38.39.] work together for good, (namely) to them who are called [namely, to true faith, which is powerful by love, not only by an outward but also inward and powerful calling, whereupon obedience certainly followeth, John 6. ver.44.65. 1 Cor. 1.24.26.] according to (his) purpose. [namely, which he hath purposed in himself, to save mankind by grace through Christ. See Eph.1.v.9.12. etc.]

29. For those that he foreknew [Namely, for his, as John 10:14.27. i.e. whom he chose in Christ from everlasting unto eternal life, Romans 11:2. Eph. 1.ver.4. 1 Pet. 1.2. and hereafter ver.33.] them he also fore-ordained to be conformed to the Image of his Son, [namely, not only in suffering, but also especially in sanctification, and glorification, which shall follow after 2 Cor. 15.48. and2 Cor. 3. ver18.] that he may be the first born among many brethren.

30. And those whom he fore-ordained, them he also called: [Namely, to faith and obedience of faith by a powerful calling. Ver. 28.] and these that he called, them he also justified: [namely, before him, through faith: like as the world is taken in this matter, in this whole Epistle, and the scope of the Apostle imports. For this justification is the next step to glorification] and whom he justified, them he also glorified. [namely, here in the beginnings by sanctification and adoption, and hereafter, by the full possession of the same glory, ver. 17.21. and 2 Cor. 3.ver.18.]

31. What shall we say therefore [Here the Apostle concludes the handling of the foregoing doctrine of this Epistle hitherto, with an holy insultation and triumph in Christ against all accusations and tribulations, which the Divell and the world might be able to procure unto them] to these? [namely, which thus far, are before taught and declared] if God be for us [that is, be reconciled unto us by Christ, hath chosen, called, justified, and shall glorify us, ver. 29.30.] who shall be against us? [namely, that should be able to accuse us or hurt us, Psalms 56:12. and118.6.]

32. Who also spared not his own Son, [Namely, and thereby, as by an undoubted testimony, hath shewth that he is with us, Romans 5:8.] but gave him over [namely, to death, Romans 4:25.] for us all, [namely, who believe in him, who love him, and are called according to his purpose] hoe shall also with him [namely, Christ Jesus, who is the most precious gift, in whom all treasures of wisdome and knowledge are hid, Colossians 2:3. so that he which hath him, hath all that is needful for him to salvation] freely give us [namely, of grace as the Greek word imports: which therefore is opposed to all merits of men] all things? [that is, all that we have of for our eternal salvation.]

33. Who shall bring in accusation [Namely, of sin, or guilt of sin. For that is it we might be accented before God by the Law, John 5:45. by our own conscience, Rom. 2,15. or else by Satan, Rev.12.10.] against the elect of God? It is God that justfieth. [that is, who absolves us from sin and the punishment of sin, and consequently prevents accusations by discharge.]

34. Who is it that condemneth? [That is, who should execute the curse and punishment of sin against us] It is Christ that is dead, [namely, to set us free from the curse and punishment of sin, Galatians 3:13.] yea, which is more, who is also risen: [namely, to bring righteousness unto us, Rom. 4.v.25.] who is also at the right (hand) of God: [namely, to deliver us from all Enemies, and to give us the Holy Ghost for assurance hereof, John 16:7 Acts 2.ver.33] who also pray for us. [namely, to apply his righteousness unto us by his intercession, John 17:20. in these four things consists all our reconciliation with God.]

35. Who shall separate us [That former triumph was against sin and the punishment of sin: this is against the violence of persecutions and tribulations of the world, and all things else which might befall them therein] from the love of Christ? [namely, with which he loveth us, as ver.37.39.] tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?]

36. (As it is written, For thy sake are we killed [That is, persecuted even to death :or now one, then another made away] the whole day: [that is, continually, without ceasing] we are esteemed as sheep of slaughter.)

37. But in all these we are more then conquerors through him who hath loveth us. [Namely, Christ, God in Christ. For both are here expressed, the one ver. 35.and the other ver. 39.]

38. For I am assured [Or, I am persuaded, namely, by the promises of the holy Gospel to all believers, John 5:24. and by the testimony of the Holy Ghost in the heart, ver. 16.] that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, for the good seek not to separate us from Christ: except we should take it for an impossible condition, as Gal. 1.ver. 8.9.] nor principalities, [some take this also for names of Angels, as Colos. 1.16. although it may here be fitly understood of the tyrants ones of the world] nor powers, nor present, nor future things,

39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God [Namely, wherewith he loveth us, when we are united in Christ by faith, as ver.35.] which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.