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Romans 8

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 of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

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:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

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.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

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.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

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, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

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 as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

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 Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

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 reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

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 the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

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.

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?

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

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?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

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.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

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.

What does Romans 8:1 mean?

Explanation

Romans 8:1 serves as a pivotal declaration in the theological flow of the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

This verse asserts that those who are "in Christ Jesus" no longer face condemnation.

Spiritually, it means that individuals who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and who actively pursue life according to the Holy Spirit's leading, are not subject to the judgment that sin brings.

The "condemnation" refers to the eternal judgment and separation from God that is the due penalty for sin.

Living "after the Spirit" suggests a lifestyle governed by the influence of the Holy Spirit, in contrast to living "after the flesh," which implies a life controlled by sinful and selfish desires.

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Historical Context

Paul’s letter to the Romans was penned circa 57 A.D while he was in Corinth.

The Roman church was made up of both Jewish and Gentile Christians, and this complex social composition led to tensions within the community.

The Apostle wrote to address these frictions and to deliver a comprehensive theological treatise on salvation, justification by faith, and the role of Israel in salvation history.

Within this context, Romans 8:1 comes as reassurance and encouragement to believers that, despite the struggles and judicial nature of the Mosaic Law, there is a deliverance and freedom found in Christ.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints offer various insights on this verse:

Reformed Theology emphasizes the doctrine of justification by faith alone, viewing this verse as assurance of the believer's secure position in Christ.
Arminianism also views this verse positively but places more emphasis on believers maintaining their walk according to the Spirit.
Catholic Theology would stress the importance of living in the grace of God, with emphasis on sacramental life facilitating walking according to the Spirit.

All agree on the essential truth that faith in Christ removes the condemnation deserved for sin.

Practical Applications

Romans 8:1 encourages believers to:

Live without the fear of eternal judgment due to past failures and sins.
Seek a daily life led by the Holy Spirit, pursuing godly decisions and actions.
Embrace and uphold personal identity in Christ, which brings freedom from condemnation.

Cross-References

John 3:18: "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Galatians 5:16: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Ephesians 1:7: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

Language Study

Key words of the original Greek text are:

Condemnation (κατάκριμα, katakrima): The adverse verdict, or the sentence following a verdict of guilty.
Walk (περιπατέω, peripateō): Habitual lifestyle, the regular conduct of life.
Flesh (σάρξ, sarx): Human nature, prone to sin and opposed to God.
Spirit (πνεῦμα, pneuma): Both the Holy Spirit and the spirit that is influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing with other ancient religions, particularly Greco-Roman and Judaic traditions, many religions held that gods or a divine order would judge moral actions.

However, the stark contrast with Christianity lies in the assurance and provision of redemption through a relationship with a personal God rather than rituals, sacrifices, or adherence to law alone.

Scientific Perspectives

While Romans 8:1 is a theological and spiritual declaration, it might intersect with psychological studies that explore the impact of guilt and condemnation on mental health.

The verse suggests a life free of condemnation, which might correlate with psychological studies showing the benefits of forgiveness and freedom from guilt on personal well-being.

Commentaries

John Stott writes in his commentary on Romans that this verse heralds the ‘no condemnation’ as the ‘summum bonum’ (the highest good) of the Christian life.
Matthew Henry’s commentary describes this freedom from condemnation as the unique privilege of those that are in Christ Jesus.
Douglas Moo, in the New International Commentary on the New Testament, emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers, which enables them to meet the righteous requirements of the law, and thus removes condemnation.

Romans 8

Romans 8

What does Romans 8:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 8:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?