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BIBLE STUDY on the book of Romans
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 is a tremendous portion of Scripture! It starts out with “no condemnation” ends with no separation and the middle makes it plain that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” How could it be any better than that?
Inadequacy is my feeling all the way through this letter, as I feel in all God's Word. This letter deals with great truths. We find that joy and peace is to be given to the TRUE child of God in this life. He is to live for God in the very presence of sin, but sin is not to dictate our life. We have seen that the new nature has no power and the old nature has no good. Only God can help us live the way He wants us to live!
This chapter introduces us to the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification. The Holy Spirit is mentioned nineteen times in this chapter. Before chapter 8 there were only two casual references (Rom.5:5; 7:6).
A life that is pleasing to God must be lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Paul said to the Ephesian believers, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph.5:18). Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the regenerated life of a believer, delivering the believer from the power of sin . . . even in the very presence of sin . . . and performing God's will in the life of the believer.
The Victory of the Holy Spirit over Sin and Death . . . Romans 8:1-13
Romans 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. (KJV)
In spite of his feeling like a wretched failure, as Paul records in Chapter 7, this chapter begins that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, and we are justly condemned for continually breaking God’s holy law. Without Jesus, NONE of us would have any hope at all. But praise God! He has declared us not guilty in the courts of Heaven, given us freedom from sin and power to do His will.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)
The “Spirit of life” is the Holy Spirit. The “law of the Spirit of life” is not only the nature of the law, but authority exercised by the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world (Gen.1:2), and He is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. And He gives us the power to live the Christian life.
Romans 8:3-4 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: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV)
The law of Moses could not save us, so God put into effect a different plan. He sent His own Son in a human body like ours, except that it was perfect and sinless. Jesus gave His life as a sin offering for our sins and by doing so, the requirement of the law was fully attained for us. We no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Romans 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. (KJV)
ALL people are divided into just two groups: those who allow themselves be controlled by their sinful natures (devil’s children), and those who follow the Holy Spirit (God’s children, 1 John 3:10). All of us would be in the first group if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. But, once we say yes to Jesus, we really want to follow Him, because His way brings life and peace. Each day, we must voluntarily choose to center our lives on God.
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (KJV)
“Carnally minded” means a person is out of fellowship with God, sin controls us. To be “spiritually minded” means we desire to walk as Jesus did, and allow His Spirit to help us.
Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV)
The sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never wants to obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. The approval and grace of God, the well-being of our soul, concerns of eternity; these are things of the Spirit, and only those that are spiritually minded even consider.
Romans 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. (KJV)
What a verse this is! It clearly tells us IF we are a TRUE child of god or not! IF you are “in Christ” you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Holy Spirit, for you have the Spirit of God living in you. And once you are presented with the Holy Spirit, you have Him for ever! John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (KJV) . . . 2 John 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. (KJV) . . . God would NOT give us His Spirit, IF we were not sincere about our faith in Jesus! And Once we receive the Spirit, God will NOT take him away. This is only one reason that I believe in OSAS! Once saved, always saved! https://hisservants.org/a_1_a_license_to_sin.htm
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his . . . anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ living in them, they are NOT Christians.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (KJV)
If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in our heart by faith. And IF Christ lives within you, even though our bodies will die because of sin, our spirit is alive because Jesus made us right with God. The righteousness of Christ attributed to us secures our eternal soul, from death.
Romans 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. (KJV)
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in ALL believers. And just as He raised Christ from the dead, He will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you. What can any worldly pleasure offer us that could possibly take the place of our being God’s child?
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (KJV)
You are under no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. You do not have to live as your human nature (and Satan) wants you to.
Romans 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. (KJV)
If you live according to your sinful nature, you will die (be condemned to everlasting Hell, Second Death). But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live eternally in Heaven.
The New Man . . . Romans 8:14-17
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV)
Adoption or sonship is used to demonstrate (describe) the believer’s new relationship with God. In Roman law, the one adopted gained all the rights of a child born physically to that family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate. It is the same when a person becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. A great privilege of being God’s child is our being led by the Spirit of God.
Romans 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. (KJV)
We no longer are willing slaves of sin; instead, we are God the Father’s children. What a privilege! Because we are God’s children, we will share in great treasures as co-heirs. God already has given us His best gifts: His Son, forgiveness, and eternal life. And He urges us to ask Him for whatever we need . . . NEED, not want!
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (KJV)
We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward Presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God’s love.
Romans 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. (KJV)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ . . . living as Jesus did, by serving others, we give up some of our rights, and we withstand pressures to go along with the world. Faithfulness always demands a price. But, nothing we ever suffer, can ever compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.
Future Glory Romans . . . Romans 8:18-27
Romans 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. (KJV)
Paul could speak about troubles and pain from his own experience. People had opposed him and punished him. People hated Paul because he spoke God’s Truth. Paul had suffered physical difficulties like cold and hunger as he traveled on land and sea (2 Cor.11:24-33). He also seems to speak about a physical problem that was a painful nuisance to him (2 Cor.12:8-10). But he was sure that he would suffer for only a short time. Present suffering is minor when we compare it with the awesome life of Heaven.
ALL people suffer in some way, even though we live in a time of comfort galore. But what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later on. The sufferings of the saints last no longer than the present time, and are light afflictions, and but for a moment.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (KJV)
All of Creation is eagerly waiting for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. And in that day, Creation will also be unveiled and we shall see it as God intended. What a glorious time that will be!
Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (KJV)
Against its will, everything on Earth was subjected to God's curse. “Vanity” means impurity, deformity and disability; and it has come upon Creation by Adam’s disobedience, and there is hostility of one creature to another. “Vanity” means failure, decay, things that perish. But the distressful state of Creation has hope, for one day it will change!
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (KJV)
All Creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's TRUE children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (KJV)
As soon as we are born, we begin the process of dying. There is death and dying in ALL of Creation as well, for the curse of sin came to all Creation upon the fall of Adam. If you go out in the midst of a forest, you would see many trees lying on the ground, dead and rotting away. You might also see dead animals. That’s nature. All creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Romans 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. (KJV)
We as TRUE Christians, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has promised us. 2 Cor.5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [KJV] . . . We grow weary in these present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.
Romans 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? (KJV)
We are saved by the hope of what Jesus did on the cross for us, and our faith in Him. And now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this amazing freedom that will one day be ours. It was because of hope of eternal life (Tit.1:2; 3:7) that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. Which one of us hopes for something we see and have? But, we cannot see eternal life in Heaven, yet we know we have it, because the Bible tells us so (John 5:24; 6:47), and we can dare, in boldness, to hope for it, and that new redeemed body that is promised to us!
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (KJV)
If we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait with patience and confidence. For many, patience is a difficult characteristic to achieve. None of us can attain it on our own. We must allow the Spirit to produce it within us (Gal.5:22-23). Faith, hope and love all play crucial roles in believer’s lives. Hope wouldn’t be necessary if we already had everything that God promised, but we don’t. One day though, we will, for God cannot lie (Titus 1:2); and when that day comes, we no longer will need hope, for then we will realize the exceptional Promises of God. In fact, even faith will no longer be needed in that future day — only love!
Romans 8:26 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. (KJV)
Have you ever gone to the Lord in prayer and was at a complete loss for words? I have, many times! I simply did NOT know what to say! This is what this verse is speaking about. The Holy Spirit helps us in these times, in our distress. When we don't know what we should pray for, or how we should pray, the Holy Spirit takes over for us! He prays for us with groanings that cannot expressed in words. He is our permanent Resident, so He truly knows our heart and soul, and He knows, better than we do, how and what to pray. Thank You Lord, for the Gift of Your Holy Spirit!
Romans 8:27 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. (KJV)
When the Spirit intercedes (intervenes) for us with prayer, the Father who knows all hearts, knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for believers in harmony with God’s own will. The Spirit who searches our hearts and souls, can detect the desire of our spirit and our renewed mind, and promotes our cause. The Spirit makes intercession to God on our behalf, and the enemy (Satan) cannot and will not win! Praise God!
More Than Conquerors Romans 8:28-39
The 8th chapter of Romans is a magnificent portion of Scripture!
But, as far as I’m concerned, the verses following are the crown jewel!
Romans 8:28 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. (KJV)
Many people quote this verse, but they quote only the first part. The last part is the important part, for it sets aside this marvelous blessing, for God’s children, NOT unbelievers! Only by divine knowledge given to us by God, can we know that ALL things work together for good, to those God has called. God works in “all things” . . . not just some things . . . for our good!
Please understand . . . this does NOT mean that ALL that happens to us is good, for this is not so. Evil dominates our fallen world, BUT, God is well able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Also please realize that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. And please remember that this Promise is NOT for everyone. It belongs only to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. The “called” are those the Holy Spirit wins over to Christ. These believers have a new outlook and a new mind-set on life. They trust God, not this world’s treasures and pleasures, They look for their security in Heaven, not here on Earth; and they learn to accept pain and persecution because God walks with them through it all, giving comfort and encouragement.
Romans 8:29-30 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. 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. (KJV)
The little word “for” is a reminder that Paul is NOT speaking of ALL people, just those who are called, and accept the calling. Predestination means that when God saves you (or me), He will see us through to the end! God knew ALL His children in advance (Eph.1:4-6), He chose us to become like His Son. Christ Jesus was the Firstborn of God, with many brothers and sisters to follow. When God chose us, He then called us to come to Him. And He made us right with Himself when we believed and accepted Jesus (justified); and those He justified (declared ‘not guilty’ in the courts of Heaven) He also promised His glory. Please remember, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). . . . For more on predestination, see: . . . http://www.godcannotlie.org/f_falsehoods_calvinism_vs_arminianism.htm
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (KJV)
What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? This is so good, there is nothing more we could ever add!
Romans 8:32 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? (KJV)
God spared Abraham’s son, but He didn’t spare His own! Since God gave Him up for us, won’t He also give us everything we need? God gave us the Best He had, why would He hold back anything of far lesser value from us?
Romans 8:33-34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who 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. (KJV)
Who would dare accuse those whom God has chosen for His own? Will God? NO! He is the One who has declared us ‘not guilty’! If God won’t, then just who will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? NO! He is the One who died for us and was raised to life again, for us! He certainly will not condemn us! He is sitting at the place of highest honor, next to God, pleading our case for us (1 John 2:1). NO one can ever condemn God’s TRUE children!
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (KJV)
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? NO! Is it possible that any trouble could separate us from Jesus? NO! Does it mean He no longer loves us if He allows trouble, calamity, persecution, hunger, cold, danger or even death to come our way? These things could cause grief and sorrow in your life, but they can NEVER separate you from the love of Christ, ever!
Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (KJV)
This is quoting Psalm 44:22. This is probably the attitude of Satan and his children towards God’s people. For Jesus’ sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are like sheep that are going to be slaughtered. This is not so much here, but in other parts of the world, God’s TRUE people are in great danger. Some so-called religions teach hatred of Jews and Christians. To say you are a Christian in certain countries is extremely dangerous. Many have been killed for teaching the Bible. I think the day is very near that it will be so here in the U.S.A.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (KJV)
How can sheep headed for slaughter be “more than conquerors”? A true paradox. It means we have assistance from “Him that loved us.” Jesus gets the victory for us! The victory belongs to Jesus . . . NOT us! We can live a victorious life only through Him! No other way, no matter what anyone tries to tell you. Be very careful of religions that teach another way to Heaven besides Jesus (Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:10-13).
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor 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. (KJV)
I am sure, certain, convinced! I know nothing can separate me from the love of God which comes to us through Christ Jesus, our Lord! “Death” cannot separate us . . . for it puts us in His Presence (2 Cor.5:8). “Life” . . . is many times harder to face than death; but His love is there for us (Heb.13:5)! “Angels” . . . good angels will never keep us from God’s love. This has to be fallen, evil angels, and they cannot keep God’s love from us. “Principalities, powers” . . . are probably unseen forces of evil in the universe, forces like Satan and His fallen angels (Eph. 6:12). When we are “in Christ” we are super-conquerors, and His love will protect us. “Things present” . . . no present conditions. “Things to come” . . . nothing in the future. “Height and depth” . . . not the heavens nor Hell. “Any other creature” . . . NO created being including Satan! It is impossible to be separated from Christ IF you are God’s child! His dying for us is proof of His love. Nothing can stop Christ’s continual love, nor keep His Presence from us.
God’s love is more powerful than anything else. There is nothing anywhere in time or space that can separate God’s TRUE children from their Father (1 John 3:1). God loves us and he has shown us that love through Christ Jesus. When Jesus died for us, God showed us his love (John 3:16). He did this because He wanted to adopt us as his sons and daughters. He did not want sin to control us. He wanted to forgive us. He wanted to make us righteous. He is our Father God, who really loves his children. And remember . . . Jesus is God. So Jesus loves us as much as God the Father does. How blessed are God's TRUE children!
The Book of Romans
Ch.1 . Ch.2 . Ch.3 . Ch.4 . Ch.5 . Ch.6 . Ch.7 . Ch.8 . Ch.9 . Ch.10 . Ch.11 . Ch.12 . Ch.13 . Ch.14 . Ch.15 . Ch.16
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