8:3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, G.o.d, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh.
8:4. That the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
8:5. For they that are according to the flesh mind the things that are of the flesh: but they that are according to the spirit mind the things that are of the spirit.
8:6. For the wisdom of the flesh is death: but the wisdom of the spirit is life and peace.
8:7. Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to G.o.d. For it is not subject to the law of G.o.d: neither can it be.
8:8. And they who are in the flesh cannot please G.o.d.
8:9. But you are not in the flesh, but the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of G.o.d dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
8:10. And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead, because of sin: but the spirit liveth, because of justification.
8:11. And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you; he that raised up Jesus Christ, from the dead shall quicken also your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
8:12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh.
8:13. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.
8:14. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of G.o.d, they are the sons of G.o.d.
8:15. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear: but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father).
8:16. For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of G.o.d.
The Spirit himself, etc... By the inward motions of divine love, and the peace of conscience, which the children of G.o.d experience, they have a kind of testimony of G.o.d"s favour; by which they are much strengthened in their hope of their justification and salvation; but yet not so as to pretend to an absolute a.s.surance: which is not usually granted in this mortal life: during which we are taught to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2.12. And that he that thinketh himself to stand, must take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10.12. See also, Rom. 11.20, 21, 22.
8:17. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of G.o.d and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.
8:19. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of G.o.d.
The expectation of the creature, etc... He speaks of the corporeal creation, made for the use and service of man; and, by occasion of his sin, made subject to vanity, that is, to a perpetual instability, tending to corruption and other defects; so that by a figure of speech it is here said to groan and be in labour, and to long for its deliverance, which is then to come, when sin shall reign no more; and G.o.d shall raise the bodies and unite them to their souls never more to separate, and to be in everlasting happiness in heaven.
8:20. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope.
8:21. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of G.o.d.
8:22. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now.
8:23. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of G.o.d, the redemption of our body.
8:24. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?
8:25. But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience.
8:26. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For, we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings,
Asketh for us... The Spirit is said to ask, and desire for the saints, and to pray in us; inasmuch as he inspireth prayer, and teacheth us to pray.
8:27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the Spirit desireth: because he asketh for the saints according to G.o.d.
8:28. And we know that to them that love G.o.d all things work together unto good: to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.
8:29. For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son: that he might be the Firstborn amongst many brethren.
He also predestinated, etc... That is, G.o.d hath preordained that all his elect should be conformable to the image of his Son. We must not here offer to pry into the secrets of G.o.d"s eternal election; only firmly believe that all our good, in time and eternity, flows originally from G.o.d"s free goodness; and all our evil from man"s free will.
8:30. And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified.
8:31. What shall we then say to these things? If G.o.d be for us, who is against us?
8:32. He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things?
8:33. Who shall accuse against the elect of G.o.d? G.o.d is he that justifieth:
8:34. Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died: yea that is risen also again, who is at the right hand of G.o.d, who also maketh intercession for us.
8:35. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? Or distress? Or famine? Or nakedness? Or danger? Or persecution? Or the sword?
8:36. (As it is written: For thy sake, we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.)
8:37. But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us.
8:38. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor princ.i.p.alities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might,
I am sure... That is, I am persuaded; as it is in the Greek, pepeismai.
8:39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of G.o.d which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans Chapter 9
The apostle"s concern for the Jews. G.o.d"s election is free and not confined to their nation.
9:1. I speak the truth in Christ: I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost:
9:2. That I have great sadness and continual sorrow in my heart.
9:3. For I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ, for my brethren: who are my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Anathema... A curse. The apostle"s concern and love for his countrymen the Jews was so great, that he was willing to suffer even an anathema, or curse, for their sake; or any evil that could come upon him, without his offending G.o.d.
9:4. Who are Israelites: to whom belongeth the adoption as of children and the glory and the testament and the giving of the law and the service of G.o.d and the promises:
9:5. Whose are the fathers and of whom is Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all things, G.o.d blessed for ever. Amen.