BIBLE ASSIGNMENT # 6

ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER 8 OF ROMANS

1. Verses 1 and 2

Therefore, those in union with Christ Jesus have no condemnation. For the law of the spirit that gives life in
union with Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

- In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote about a struggle he himself experienced a conflict
between his flesh and his mind.

I find, then, this law in my case: When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me. I
really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I see in my body another law
warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sins law that is in my body. (Romans
7:21-23)

- Paul honestly acknowledged that on his own, he was incapable of doing Gods will to the
extent that he himself desired. The reason? He is imperfect. All have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
- Like us, he struggled with imperfection and distractions.
- But it is not a hopeless situation.
- Paul wrote in Romans 7:24, 25 Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the
body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, then, with my
mind I myself am a slave to Gods law, but with my flesh to sins law.
- [] for the law of the spirit that gives life [] Holy Spirit by means of this, Jehovah
adopts them as sons, calling them to be joint heirs with Christ.
- Gods spirit + Faith in Christs ransom sacrifice = enables us to come off victorious in the
struggle that Paul described and thus no condemnation.
- They are set free from the law of sin and of death.

2. Verses 3 to 8

What the Law was incapable of doing because it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, condemning sin in the flesh, so that the righteous
requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the
spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live
according to the spirit, on things of the spirit. For setting the mind on the flesh means death, but setting the
mind on the spirit means life and peace; because setting the mind on the flesh means enmity with God, for it
is not subjection to the law of God, nor, in fact, can it be. So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot
please God.

- The Law (Mosaic Law), with its many commandments, condemned sinners.
- Moreover, Israels high priests serving under the Law were imperfect and could not offer an adequate
sacrifice for sin.
- Hence, the Law was weak through the flesh.
- But by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh meaning, as human as Adam and offering
himself as a ransom, God condemned sin in the flesh, thus overcoming the incapability on the part of
the Law.
- As a result, anointed Christians are counted righteous on the basis of their faith in Jesus ransom
sacrifice.
- Paul pointed out that by means Gods spirit and the ransom sacrifice of his Son, God has accomplished
something that the Mosaic Law could not.
- As descendants of Adam, all of us are subject to the law of sin and of death.
- Our sinful flesh constantly urges us to do things that are displeasing to God, with only death in view.
 - Galatians 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality,
uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, Spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions,
divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about
these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit
Gods Kingdom.
- People described in Galatians 5:19 are the kind of people who walk in accord with the flesh.
- Their inward principle of action and their standard for life are totally fleshly.
- Though exercising faith in the ransom can free us from the law of sin and of death, we are still imperfect
and sinful.
- Walking in accord with the spirit calls for spiritual advancement not spiritual perfection.
- Day by day and to the best of our ability, we must endeavor to walk, or live our lives, in accord with the
leading of the spirit.
- The flesh, as pointed out by Paul, is not necessarily the physical body but denotes the sinful and
imperfect nature of the fallen flesh.
- This nature is what causes the conflict between the flesh and the mind that Paul mentioned earlier.
- Unlike him, however, those who are in accord with the flesh do not even put up a fight.
- Instead of considering what God requires of them and accepting help he has provided, they are inclined
to set their minds on the things of the flesh.
- They often focus on the satisfying of their bodily comforts and physical desires.
- In contrast, the inclination of those who are in accord with the spirit is to set their minds on things of
the spirit spiritual provisions and activity.
- People who constantly set their minds on the things of the flesh soon develop a mental attitude or
inclination that is totally focused on the things of the flesh.
- Their sentiments, interests, and affections usually become completely occupied with such things.
- Everything in the world the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of
ones means of life does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. (1 John 2:16)
- These desires involve such things as promiscuity, prominence, and possessions.
- Books, magazines, newspapers, movies, TV shows, and the Internet are flooded with material of this
sort, primarily because that is what is what most people set their minds on and really want.
- However, the minding of the flesh means death spiritually now and physically in the near future.
Why? Because the minding of the flesh means enmity with God, for it is not under subjection to the law
of God, nor, in fact, can it be. So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God.
- Therefore, it is vital to set our minds on the things of the spirit. We do this by bracing up our minds for
activity, building our life around a spiritual routine that includes regular prayer, Bible reading and study,
meeting attendance, and the Christian ministry.

3. Verses 9 to 17

However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if Gods spirit truly dwells in you. But if
anyone does not have Christs spirit, this person does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with you,
the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. If, now, the spirit of him who
raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also
make your mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in you.

So, then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh; for if you live
according to the flesh, you are sure to die; but if you put the practices of the body to death by the spirit, you
will live. For all who are led by Gods spirit are indeed Gods sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery
causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: Abba, Father!
The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are Gods children. If, then, we are children, we are also
heirs heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ provided we suffer together so that we may also be
glorified together.

4. Verses 18-23

For I consider that the sufferings of the present time do not amount to anything in comparison with the glory
that is going to be revealed in us. For the creation is waiting with eager expectation for the revealing of the
sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected
it, on the basis of hope that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have
the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and
being in pain together until now. Not only that, but we ourselves also who have the firstfruits, namely,