Sandbox
Holman Concise Bible Commentary for Romans 8:1-17
No Condemnation (8:1-17)
Paul's exposition shifted to a focus on the role of the Holy Spirit, who brings pardon and power for the children of God. Those who have been justified have been freed from death. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." God will give life to their mortal bodies through His spirit, who indwells believers. If believers live according to the sinful nature, they will die; but if by the Spirit believers put to death the misdeeds of the body, they will live. In contrast to the control of sin, which enslaves to the point of fear, believers have received the Spirit of adoption. So instead of retreating in fear, Christians can approach God in an intimate way, calling Him "Abba, Father." "Abba" is a transliteration of the Aramaic term for father, implying great familiarity and intimacy (see Mark 14:36; Gal. 4:6). The portrait is one of solidarity and relatedness through the Spirit. Verse 17 concludes and climaxes a list of conditional "ifs" (see 8:9-11,13). He lifts the issue of suffering beyond their own inner moral struggles to suffering together with Christ as a prelude to being glorified together with Him.[1]
Romans 8:1 Bible Comparisons
Comparison of Romans 8:1 between KJV, HCSB, and the AMP.
(KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.[2]
(HCSB) Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,[3]
(AMP) THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.[4]
Romans 8:1-17 (HCSB)
1 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Footnotes