Romans 8

1. There is therefore now no condemnation, etc. Though the conflict within us is not yet ended (vii. 25), yet the deliverance is already obtained. It was by the thought of this present justification that the exclamation of wretchedness was changed

(vii. 24) to one of thanksgiving. The latter clause of the verse seems to have been inserted by some copyist from ver. 4.

2 the law of the Spirit of life. “The Spirit of life is that by which the spiritual life is effected in believers” (Tholuck).

free. In respect of condemnation, not in respect of influence.

4 the righteousness. Rather, as R.V., “the ordinance,” i.e., the requirement of the law “in supreme love of God and unselfish love to man.”

6 to be carnally minded, etc. R.V., “The mind of the flesh . . . the mind of the Spirit,” the language corresponding with that of ver. 5. So in ver. 7, “the mind of the flesh.”

9 the Spirit of Christ. Belonging to, or proceeding from Christ; see John xiv. 16, 26; xvi. 7.

10 the Spirit is life, etc. The dwelling of the Spirit of Christ in the soul is a pledge of life in the fullest sense; for, although the body is doomed to die on account of sin, still the soul lives; and (11) even our mortal bodies shall be restored to life “by (or rather “because of”) His Spirit that dwelleth in us.”

12 we are debtors, etc. We are under obligation to the Spirit, to follow His impulses and guidance.

13 mortify. That is, “put to death.” The gradual destruction of sinful inclinations is necessary to the perfecting of the Christian life.

15 to fear. Better, as R.V., “unto fear”: fear being here the substantive.

adoption. Or, “sonship”: i.e., the Spirit makes us feel and act towards God like His children, giving the spirit of sonship; so that with affection, reverence, and confidence we call Him our Father. On the word “Abba,” see Mark xiv. 36, and note; Gal. iv. 6.

16 with our spirit. Rather, “to our spirits”; by His comfort, His incitement to prayer, His censure of sin, His impulse to works of love (Olshausen). Cp. Gal. v. 22, 23.

18 in us. Rather, “unto us,” or “to us-ward” (R.V.); both as we joyfully see the creature delivered, and as we ourselves enjoy the redemption for which now “we patiently wait” (19-23). This is a new illustration of the certainty and the greatness of this glory.

19 the earnest expectation. A most expressive word in the original; lit., “the waiting with uplifted head.”

20 the creature. It is the same Greek word that is rendered “creature” and “creation” throughout this passage. It appears to include all created things. Weymouth’s translation appears to bring out the meaning of the clause: “For the Creation fell into subjection to failure and unreality.”

vanity. “Emptiness”; superficial and unreal. who hath subjected [the same], etc. Lit., “who subjected [it]; upon hope, that the creation itself,” etc. See R.V.

21 because. Rather “that,” connecting with “hope” in ver. 20.

the glorious liberty. Rather, “the liberty of the glory” (R.V.); that is, the freedom from vanity, which is part of the glory to be revealed.

23 not only [they]. Rather, as R.V., “not only so.”

ourselves. Paul and his fellow-believers. firstfruits. See Deut. xxvi. 1-11, and notes. As the firstfruits offered annually by the Israelites were an earnest of the whole harvest, the expression came to include the idea of a pledge, as well as of priority; see 1 Cor. xv. 20. Hence the present

24-26. We are “waiting” because “we were saved in the hope” (see 18-23); i.e., our complete salvation is future, beyond the reach of sight, and therefore an object of hope, to which we look forward whilst we toil and suffer here (25). And in this waiting and endurance we are sustained by the Holy Spirit (26).

26 helpeth our infirmities. Helps us on in our faltering efforts at prayer. And so, in character and life.

groanings which cannot be uttered. A few expositors think that the groanings are those of the human spirit, but the weight of opinion is that the Spirit of God is meant. It is permissible to understand both.

28 all things work together for good. Dr. Griffith Thomas (Devotional Commentary) gives a good illustration. “Many years ago an eminent French engineer was detained in the Mediterranean by a tedious quarantine. It was hard for one of his active temperament to endure such confinement; but as he waited on the deck of the vessel he read, and the book to which he gave extra attention, prompted him to the conception of the Suez Canal, the execution of which has made him so famous and has been of such great service to the world. Did M. de Lesseps afterwards regret those dragging days of quarantine?”

29 conformed to the image of His Son, etc. It is an essential part of “God’s purpose” that those who share the glory should bear the likeness of Christ, who is to stand not alone, although pre-eminent in excellence, as the “firstborn among many brethren.” St. Paul’s idea of predestination was therefore predestination unto holiness. This is its practical side.

many brethren. “A multitude whom no man can number” (Rev. vii. 4, 9).

31 who [can be] against us? Or simply, “who is against us?” R.V., There are many against us, but God, who is for us, is infinitely greater than all (see Psa. cxxiv.), and is, as it were, pledged to “give us all things” in giving “His own Son” (32).

35 the love of Christ. That is, Christ’s love toward us: ep. 34, 37, 39.

36. As it is written, etc. For we have to suffer like God’s people of old: see Psa. xliv. 22.

37 more than conquerors. “All these things” not only do us no real harm, they are even made to promote our good (28): ep. v. 3.

38. For I am persuaded, etc. The apostle’s eye glances over all conditions of man’s existence, the mightiest of created beings, all time and all space, and he then confidently declares that no creature which he can find or conceive can separate the Christian from God’s unchangeable love.