ROMANS 8. part 1

ROMANS 8 (part 1, vv. 1-17)

a. 8:1-8, “Spirit” 5 times

  b. 8:9-11, “Spirit” 6 times

  b’. 8:12-17, “Spirit” 6 times

a’. 8:18-30, “Spirit” 5 times       Total: 22 times – 22 letters of Hebrew alphabet

c. 8:31-39, conclusion

a. Continuation of or response to the discussion of the law of flesh and sin.

Law of the Spirit set us free from the law of sin and death

Flesh vs. Spirit (vv. 3-8) – three (almost) pairs

1. life according to the flesh – set the mind on things of the flesh (cp. 6:16)

1'. life according to Spirit – set the mind on the things of the Spirit

2. Mind of the Flesh – death

2'. Mind of the Spirit – life and peace

3. Mind set on flesh – hostile to God

3'. The response is b. (9-11): mind set on the Spirit

v.9 Spirit dwells in you –

    Body is dead because of sin

    Spirit is life because of righteousness

v.11 Spirit dwells in you

c. Debtors vs. heirs (vv. 12-17)

Life according to the flesh – death

By the Spirit you put to death deeds of the body

Not the Spirit of slavery

Spirit of adoption – we cry “Abba, Father”

Spirit [of God] testifies to our spirit that we are children of God,

Children – then heirs,

            Heirs of God

            Heirs with Christ, when we suffer to be glorified.