He talks of this present age and of the glory that will be disclosed. The word vanity here mataiotes is descriptive of the present condition of the Christian, as frail and dying; as exposed to trials, temptations, and cares; as in the midst of conflicts, and of a world which may be emphatically pronounced vanity. the creation was subjected -- Understanding that here the "creation" is speaking of "us" (v.18) as "aspiring to the full privileges of adoption, that the present state is not one of choice" [BN]. Verse Concepts.King James Version. Height (hupsoma, G5313) was the time when a star was at its zenith and its influence was greatest; depth (bathos, G899) was the time when a star was at its lowest, waiting to rise and to put its influence on some man. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. The adoption ceremony was carried out in the presence of seven witnesses. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his ( Romans 8:9 ). Let me call your attention again to its force. But he meets their proud exclusiveness in another way. God, creation, and man all felt the dramatic effects of sin when the beautiful harmony in the world ended. It had its smells of the kerosene heaters. I think that this particular verse has meant more to me than almost any other passage of scripture, because I lived so many years of my Christian life in constant condemnation. "God surely can't love me anymore. It furnishes occasion for some interesting exhibitions of character - for hope, and faith, and love, and for increasing and progressive excellence. On the contrary, the doctrine of faith establishes law as nothing else can; and for this simple reason, that if one who is guilty hopes to be saved spite of the broken law, it must be at the expense of the law that condemns his guilt; whereas the gospel shows no sparing of sin, but the most complete condemnation of it all, as charged on Him who shed His blood in atonement. Their present state is a state of education and preparation for the inheritance. Of the Jew by his own confession. And mark the force of it whosoever." Him who came in humiliation, according to their prophets, they might despise; but it was vain to deny that the same prophets bore witness to His divine glory. Well, Satan does. The ancient world was haunted by the tyranny of the stars. Paul says to these haunted men of his age: "The stars cannot hurt you. When you finally see it, it becomes then a rational reality. There is no language where their voice is not heard. The sufferings of the saints are but sufferings of this present time, strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time (2 Corinthians 4:17), light affliction, and but for a moment. . Wonderful to think the Spirit of God associates Himself with us in it all, deigning to give us divine feelings even in our poor and narrow hearts. Clearly this was a serious and an impressive step. If slurred over, as it too often is in souls, it invariably leaves practical obedience lame, and halt, and blind. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? St. Paul's Des Peres Bible Study 1 Corinthians 14 KFUO Radio. Upon what ground? Here is a vision to take away all loneliness and all fear. Hence, what he is here discussing is not remission of sins, but deliverance from sin. Hence the apostle does not, as in the early chapters of this epistle, take up our sins, except as proofs and symptoms of sin. What would we have? But there was far more in Jesus. This is called the adoption. For if you live after the flesh, you are going to die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, then you shall live ( Romans 8:12-13 ). who would defraud God of that which He delights in the blessedness of bringing in deliverance by that One man, of whom Adam was the image? Did the Jew fancy that the gospel makes very light of Abraham, and of the then dealings of God? I shall live in that kingdom, the kingdom of light, and love, joy and peace, an heir of God, joint-heir with Jesus Christ.Then Paul said. Then comes a great saying. The inner man is dealt with, and searched through and through. Search. 7). Surely if equal birth-tie could ensure community of blessing if a charter from God depended on being sprung from the same father and mother, there was no case so strong, no claim so evident, as that of Esau to take the same rights as Jacob. That must needs be a great, a transcendent glory, which all the creatures are so earnestly expecting and longing for. By living it, a man is making himself totally unfit ever to stand in the presence of God. In this book this term is used to describe freedom from things like death and the law in places like Romans 6:18; Romans 6:22; Romans 8:2. 1 Corinthians 2. Or, We groan among ourselves. government of these things, slaves unto them, and in such If that is so, we become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, God's own Son. . Then you really aren't a part of God or His kingdom. You know, He is through with me. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, the old things have passed away and all things become new" ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) and it is interesting how even our desires change so dramatically when we are in Christ. I can see how God is going to work." "Behold I create new heavens and a new earth" ( Isaiah 65:17). (a) He died. In these words the apostle describes a fourth illustrious branch of the happiness of believers, namely, a title to the future glory. We accordingly are dead, says he, to the law; not (as no doubt almost all of us know) that the law dies, but that we are dead to the law in the death of Christ. It was a glorious day when we moved out of that tent and into this new sanctuary. Even where the law was, not by it but by faith the just lived. This world that is dominated by the flesh, dominated by men who are dominated by the flesh. Salvation supposes not this only, but a great deal more. At this particular time the Jews had a highly developed belief in angels. Future Thursday broadcasts will appear in this playlist as well. But the fourth is different. It is not God seeking, or man bringing righteousness. Satan is condemning, but why should I worry about that? The past history of Israel was sketched inRomans 9:1-33; Romans 9:1-33; the present more immediately is before us inRomans 10:1-21; Romans 10:1-21. Christ indeed did both; and so the word was nigh them, in their mouth and in their heart. 20 For . As He has given us through the blood of Jesus full remission, as we shall be saved by this life, as He has made us know even now nothing short of present conscious deliverance from every whit of evil that belongs to our very nature, as we have the Spirit the earnest of the glory to which we are destined, as we are the vessels of gracious sorrow in the midst of that from which we are not yet delivered but shall be, so now we have the certainty that, whatever betide, God is for us, and that nothing shall separate us from His love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ", No age in time can separate us from Christ. (iv) In the eyes of the law he was absolutely the son of his new father. The Spirit will help our weaknesses through groaning which really cannot be uttered, for He knows what is the mind of the Father and He will make intercession according to His will. Romans 8 William Barclay's Daily Study Bible The Liberation Of Our Human Nature The Two Principles Of Life Entry Into The Family Of God The Glorious Hope All Is Of God The Love From Which Nothing Can Separate Us The creation was subjected to vanity (see verse 19 for information on this word as well as the word subjected). God has given to everything its charge; and he has not only by a distinct order commanded what he would to be done, but also implanted inwardly the hope of renovation. Who is going to make charges against me? This is given as a reason for its aspiring to the full privileges of adoption, that the present state is not one of choice, or one which is preferred, but one to which it has been subjected for wise reasons by God. Disappointments, setbacks, things that I just don't understand, and I am prone to be concerned, or worried, or get upset, and then this verse will come to mind. When all this was completed, the adoption was complete. When he is talking of the Christians, he talks of the days when we were in the flesh (en ( G1722) sarki, G4561) ( Romans 7:5). God has made it so simple. This is precisely what salvation does not mean; and I would strongly press it on all that hear me, more particularly on those that have to do with the work of the Lord, and of course ardently desire to labour intelligently; and this not alone for the conversion, but for the establishment and deliverance of souls. To the limits of the holy land? Hence, as is shown later in the chapter, Adam is a head characterized by disobedience, who brought in death, the just penalty of sin; as on the other hand we have Him of whom he was the type, Christ, the obedient man, who has brought in righteousness, and this after a singularly blessed sort and style "justification of life." They do not come to it as purchasers by any merit or procurement of their own; but as heirs, purely by the act of God; for God makes heirs. Was it possible to limit this to Israel? And God knows the mind of the Spirit (26-27). Now the Rabbis--and Paul had once been a Rabbi--believed that they were grudgingly hostile to men. The King James Version rendering is famous. Any man who lives controlled by his body needs is living as an animal and that is why the humanists today are so certain that they are related to the animal kingdom. How glorious it is to be an heir of God, joint-heir with Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God has become mine. Scripture . Proud as you may be of that which distinguishes you, it is hard to make sin and death peculiar to you, nor can you connect them even with the law particularly: the race of man is in question, and not Israel alone. Romans 8:20, KJV: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, If one may so say, He thus holds the man, instead of letting the man presume that he is holding fast the truth. The flesh is the lower side of man's nature. The Stoic went further. We did not achieve that; all is of God. With a touch of imaginative insight, he says that the state of nature was even worse than the state of men. But when he came to the realization that the law was spiritual, then he realized that the law actually condemned him to death because, though he had physically kept the law, spiritually he had violated it. Following up with the teaching of the olive-tree, he carries out the same thought of a remnant that abides on their own stock, and points to a re-instatement of the nation, And I would just observe by the way, that the Gentile cry that no Jew ever accepts the gospel in truth is a falsehood. For we know that the whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain together until now ( Romans 8:22 ). "Cursed is the ground because of you," God said to Adam after his sin ( Genesis 3:17). This is a very difficult passage because it is so highly compressed, and because, all through it, Paul is making allusions to things which he has already said. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Hey, wait a minute. Those whom he long ago designed for this purpose, he also called; and those whom he called he put into a right relationship with himself; and those whom he put into a right relationship with himself he also glorified. To this then the apostle comes, after having spoken of the divine favour shown himself, both when a sinner, and now in his own special place of serving the Lord Jesus. God help us to comprehend what is the length, the breadth, the depth, the height, and to know that love of Christ that God has for us in Him.Father, we thank You for Your Word and for the glorious blessings and hope and strength and comfort that is ours tonight because of Your Word. And here it may be repeated that it is no question of pardoning the sinner, but of condemning the fallen nature; and this so as to give the soul both power and a righteous immunity from all internal anguish about it. And there (for such was the point) it was the complete condemnation of this evil thing, the nature in its present state, so as, nevertheless, to set the believer as before God's judgment free from itself as well as its consequences. Shall be revealed in us; not only revealed to us, to be seen, but revealed in us, to be enjoyed. Roman adoption was always rendered more serious and more difficult by the Roman patria potestas. or who hath first liven to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? The law demanded, but could never receive righteousness from man. The renovation of the world was one of the great Jewish thoughts. At the same time he connects, in a singularly interesting manner, this disclosure of the principles of the eternal judgment of God with what he calls "my gospel." Now, if it was righteous in God (and who will gainsay it?) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God ( Romans 8:7-8 ). Hence, as God's wrath is revealed from heaven, it is against every form of impiety "against all ungodliness." It is almost universally agreed that Paul wrote Romans from the city of Corinth as he wintered there on his third missionary journey as described in Acts 20:2-3. The righteousness of God flows from His mercy, of course; but its character and basis is righteousness. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.". God does not have these body parts since He is spirit (John 4:24), but this imagery is used to help communicate important truths. gospel of God. Now likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses: for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself will make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered ( Romans 8:25-26 ). Oh boy, I'd go up an get me a house in Montecito, like that one where I stayed. It surpasses all that we have yet seen and known: present vouchsafements are sweet and precious, very precious, very sweet; but there is something to come, something behind the curtain, that will outshine all. The Spirit controlled, Christ-possessed man is on the way to life; death is but an inevitable interlude that has to be passed through on the way. I understand that God is in control of all of the circumstances that surround my life. But there is another incompleteness of man. But after the flood man as such was put under certain conditions the whole race. Hope is always in something not yet seen. Let man be what he might, or where he might, God's good news was for man. So Jesus, in the hour of suffering or persecution, points us to the glory of that kingdom that we are going to experience for eternity. But what is testified by Christian baptism is Christ's death. Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein CHAPTER 8 In Christ; no Condemnation but Deliverance. Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible Romans 8. . But then he gives us the other side. The Jews were the last in the world to take such ground as this. When you have got it in escrow you are feeling pretty good about it. It pronounced on the Jew then. The first was known as mancipatio, and was carried out by a symbolic sale, in which copper and scales were symbolically used. 3 for, being ignorant of d the righteousness of god, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to god's righteousness. Thy Strong Word Exodus 37 . I have not always done for God the things that I would do for God. (2) That it is not what they desire, to be subjected to the toils of this life, and to the temptations and vanities of this world. Our problem is that we just don't understand the depth of God's love for us. It is the deep experience of the Christian that all is of God; that he did nothing and that God did everything. John Piper Sep 9, 2001. ". But the honour and happiness of an heir lie in the value and worth of that which he is heir to: we read of those that inherit the wind; and therefore we have here an abstract of the premises. Here it is not merely the negation of law and of circumcision, but we have the positive side. What, then, is its voice? His letter, written to Romans, is considered one of the most important books in the Bible. Consequently the call of God, and not the birth simply makes the real difference. And I have been born again by the Spirit of God. (a) It is God who acquits men--that is the statement. God has made prayer such a simple, beautiful thing. Would that the Lord would give us hearts to remember, as well as eyes to see, according to His own grace! them; he led them captive at his will, and powerfully worked in Other than these references, the term can only be found in John 8:32; John 8:36 where Jesus spoke of freeing people through truth as well as Himself. "The just shall live by faith" (not by law). So God has subjected us in hope as we hope for that day and we hope for that kingdom. Because you were not answering to the very basic cause of your existence. It was undoubtedly enough for present purposes. Well, again, Satan condemns, people condemn, and I condemn myself. Will usually post within 20 business days of receiving cleared payment. Thus the latter portion of the chapter is not doctrine exactly, but the proof of the difficulties of a soul who has not realised death to the law by the body of Christ. Though the soul be the principal part of the man, yet the Lord has declared himself for the body also, and has provided a great deal of honour and happiness for the body. Most Popular. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for it? "And earth, and all the trees, and the innumerable flocks of, sheep shall give their true fruit to mankind, of wine and of, sweet honey and of white milk and corn, which to men is the most. vices, to which they were addicted, to such a degree, that they Romans 12:1 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to pre-sent your bodies a living and holy sacrice,. He has had it with me." How I hurt to see my children suffer. To whom, then, did the law address itself? ( Romans 8:35 ). Now this should be to each of us tonight a very searching verse, and upon reading this, it is important that each of us now make a personal inventory and evaluation and ask ourselves the question: Is my life led by the Spirit of God? For the creature was made subject to vanity The Gentile world were subject to vanity of mind; but how? They believed that they had been angry when God created man. God knew Israel, but the day came when Israel refused the destiny God meant her to have. It is His righteousness, or, in other words, His perfect consistency with Himself, which is always involved in the notion of righteousness. Paul seems to say: "Think of the greatest human example in the world of a man's loyalty to God; God's loyalty to you is like that." It is apokaradokia ( G603) and it describes the attitude of a man who scans the horizon with head thrust forward, eagerly searching the distance for the first signs of the dawn break of glory. . No longer does the question exist of requiring an expiation. That same energy of the Holy Ghost which had displayed itself in Jesus, when He walked in holiness here below, was demonstrated in resurrection; and not merely in His own rising from the dead, but in raising such at any time no doubt, though most signally and triumphantly displayed in His own resurrection. I am going to move from this tent into that new mansion, into that new building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And "how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?" For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly: According to Louw and Nida, the word "vanity" (mataio/thti) means "pertaining to being useless on the basis of being futile and lacking in content" (Vol. Wait a minute. That was said to Paul, rather than what was taught by Paul. The apostle applies this according to divine wisdom. Children will dream. Christians, being saved by faith, do not yet experience all that God has promised, but they look to the future with patience and confidence (24-25). Romans 8 20 Adam Clarke Bible Commentary Romans 8:20 Verse 20. (1-5) The promises are made good to the spiritual seed of Abraham. Daily devotional with John Piper. But this may be comparatively a light question. That is, it is the power of God unto salvation, not because it is victory (which at the beginning of the soul's career would only give importance to man even if possible, which it is not), but because it is "the righteousness of God." The one who really counts is not condemning me, because. It isn't that I am not willing. whereas the mind of the spirit is life and peace ( Romans 8:6 ). But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings which baffle speech to utter; but he who searches the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because it is by God's will that he intercedes for those whose lives are consecrated to God. "Paul, a bondman of Jesus Christ" an apostle "called," not born, still less as educated or appointed of man, but an apostle "called," as he says "separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets." "There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus" ( Romans 8:1 ). 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. We have Paul informing us that he transfers sometimes in a figure to himself that which was in no wise necessarily his own experience, and perhaps had not been so at any time. 4). The faith of Christ has brought divine joy into his soul; but, in point of fact, he is traversing a world of infirmity, suffering, and grief. I hope that brethren in Christ will bear with me if I press on them the importance of taking good heed to it that their souls are thoroughly grounded in this, the proper place of the Christian by Christ's death and resurrection. He will cause sweet fountains of, white milk to burst forth. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also make alive your mortal bodies by his Spirit dwelling in you ( Romans 8:10-11 ). . If that be so, is there anything in this or any other world that can separate us from our Risen Lord? Thus the discussion of Abraham strengthens the case in behalf of the uncircumcised who believe, to the overthrow of the greatest boast of the Jew. In the saints, who are new creatures, Romans 8:23-25; Romans 8:23-25. In Romans 14:1-23 and the beginning ofRomans 15:1-33; Romans 15:1-33 we have the delicate theme of Christian forbearance in its limits and largeness. As for the impotency of the law, that weakness of the law which resulted from the effects of our sinful human nature--God sent his own Son as a sin offering with that very same human nature which in us had sinned; and thereby, while he existed in the same human nature as we have, he condemned sin, so that as a result the righteous demand of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live our lives not after the principle of sinful human nature, but after the principle of the Spirit. According to the Rabbis there were three ranks of angels. as I am often faced with situations that I can't understand. But if a man does not love and trust God, he may well resent what happens to him and may well fight against God's will. Did they venture to plead that it must be not only the same father, but the same mother? But it is the consequences of adoption which are most significant for the picture that is in Paul's mind. Those that suffered with David in his persecuted state were advanced by him and with him when he came to the crown; see 2 Timothy 2:12. It was the Son of God not merely as dealing with the powers of the earth, Jehovah's King on the holy hill of Zion, but after a far deeper manner. Romans 8:20 Parallel Verses. And those who have, hungered shall rejoice; moreover, also, they shall behold marvels, every day. Thank You, Lord. Nor does this in the slightest degree weaken the principle of law. (b) Christ is risen; therefore nothing can ever separate us from him. This last relation was the direct subject of the prophetic testimony, and Jesus had come accordingly. God has condemned the flesh. For the truth is that God has in Christ condemned sin, and this for sin definitely; so that He has nothing more to do in condemnation of that root of evil. If the good news of God goes out to man, entirely blotting out the difference between a Jew and a Gentile, what becomes of His special promises to Abraham and to his seed? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? There are three statements in this verse: (1) the creation was subjected to vanity; (2) this subjection was not voluntary, but imposed by God; and (3) the very subjection is a basis of hope, for otherwise there would have been no point at all in granting to rebellious humanity any further tolerance at all. For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God ( Romans 8:19 ). And God knows what is going on and God is working even in this situation His good purpose in your life. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you he will make even your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit indwelling in you. And, upon the view of both, he gives this judgment here. He begins with the great epoch of the dispensations of God (that is, the ages since the flood). But this is not all; and the objection of the Jew gives occasion for the apostle to bring out a fuller display of what God is. Let us remember that he began all this by saying that every man sinned in Adam. Romans speaks to Christians today just as powerfully as it did in the first century. Salem Media Group. Never think of him opposite of God. I was hanging on to a part of the ship for a night and a day out in the middle of the Mediterranean." "For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. What do I understand? As do so many evangelists today. This present age was wholly bad, subject to sin, and death and decay. Lord, thank You. "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ," he says. This occupies the central part of the chapter, which then closes with the unfailing and faithful power of God for us in all our experiences here below. Now if I am living body, soul, and spirit, then I have no fellowship with God, as long as I'm being dominated by my body appetites and all. I think that all of us have experienced that very same struggle. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Living By Faith: Commentary on Romans & 1st Corinthians, Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of. The Christian waits, not for death, but for life. The righteousness of God is revealed from faith; and consequently, if there be faith in any soul, to this it is revealed, to faith wherever it may be. The Iliad: A Commentary: Volume 5, Books 17-20 by Homer (English) Paperback Book . This section is about how Paul defended the doctrine of justification by faith. It has always the idea of power about it, power as of a mighty rushing wind. The second plea is not that the rejection of Israel is only partial, however extensive, but that it is also temporary, and not definitive. I reckon, as an arithmetician that is balancing an account. The future must be brought in by the grace of God; and this he accordingly gives us at the close of Romans 11:1-36. They would not hear of it. Oh, what I wouldn't give if I couldn't take her place and suffer for her.Then I began to realize the pain the Father must have gone through to see His Son suffering, even more so than Him coming Himself. It is not among the Gentiles, but in the honoured centre of the polity of Israel. Did they deny that they were a foolish nation? Faith is the evidence, hope the expectation, of things not seen. He talks about living according to the flesh ( Romans 8:12). I understand that God is wiser than I am. But his body will no longer be the victim of decay and the instrument of sin; it will be a spiritual body fit for the life of a spiritual man. From this time the world lay under heathenism till the bringing in of the Gospel, upwards of 2000 years after. God is not his friend but his enemy, and no man ever won the last battle against him. The rest of the epistle takes up the practical consequences of the great doctrine of God's righteousness, which had been now shown to be supported by, and in no wise inconsistent with, His promises to Israel. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. C. H. Dodd defines prayer in this way--"Prayer is the divine in us appealing to the Divine above us.". Grace is the first-fruits of glory, it is glory begun. That is, the redemption of our body. Lead me where thou wilt; put on me what raiment thou wilt. "The law is weak to us, because we are weak to it: the sun cannot give light to blind eye, not from any impotency in itself, but merely from the incapacity of the subject it shines upon." (Poole) c. In that it was weak through the flesh: The law is weak because it speaks to our flesh. But this great work of Christ was not and could not be a mere vindication of God; and we may find it otherwise developed in various parts of Scripture, which I here mention by the way to show the point at which we are arrived. C. H. Dodd puts it in this way. But there is much more in Christ than that to which too many souls restrict themselves, not less to their own loss than to His dishonour. One such casualty of Paul's oversight was the stoning of . For God did not intend for man to live after the flesh and be a slave to his flesh, but God intended that man should live and walk after the Spirit.You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God is dwelling in you. So Paul says in this passage that there was a time when the Christian was at the mercy of his own sinful human nature. Hence therefore, the apostle, with divine wisdom, opens this to us before the blessed relief and deliverance which the gospel reveals to us. He has subjected the same in hope because, or for we know. The whole species of creatures is designed for, and is hastening to, a total dissolution by fire. To cement the alliance Nero wished to marry her. Abraham is the proof of the value of faith in justification before God. On the contrary, it was the Jew provoked by the Gentiles "By them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you." Now as I have told you, you are not going to always understand your circumstances. The Stoic believed that this world was permeated with that logos ( G3056) . Paul goes further; he goes on to speak of the spiritual experience of every Christian. I don't have to live as a subject to my flesh anymore. There wasn't much rejoicing until that field goal attempt was blocked in the last three seconds, and then they went wild. So what the law could not do because of my weakness in the flesh, that is because I violated it. If nature had a will (desire), Paul affirmed that it would have chosen to maintain a harmonious relationship with mankind. Because I will be led by the Spirit of God. May the Lord bless you. So God created the woman that man might have completeness, companionship, love, and beauty. As a parent you would gladly take the place of your child and suffer for them. 15), "because we are not under the law, but under grace?" Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. Witness the common joy that grace gives an apostle with saints be had never seen, so that even he should be comforted as well as they by their mutual faith. Then your principle is your condemnation. Would we follow up the heights of heavenly truth, would we sound the depths of Christian experience, would we survey the workings of the Spirit of God in the Church, would we bow before the glories of the person of Christ, or learn His manifold offices, we must look elsewhere in the writings of the New Testament no doubt, but elsewhere rather than here. For I know that as long as I am living in this body I am absent from the Lord, but I would rather be absent from this body and to be present with the Lord" ( 2 Corinthians 5:4-6 ). FOR CREATION WAS CONDEMNED. Now it is the positive power of God in raising up from the dead Him that was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justifying. For all who are guided by the Spirit of God, these, and only these, are the children of God. The New English Bible translates this phrase, "was made subject to frustration. The dream of the renovated world was dear to the Jews. Israel is indeed the only people of whom there is always a portion that believe. He has no desires of his own; the will of Christ is his only law. So it is not fulfilled by us, but it is fulfilled in us by Jesus Christ. In hoping for this glory we have need of patience, to bear the sufferings we meet with in the way to it and the delays of it. Here, then, it is a comparison of the two great heads Adam and Christ, and the immeasurable superiority of the second man is shown. In that state the law simply became something that moved him to sin and he went from bad to worse, a defeated and frustrated man. It is complicated and difficult, but what Paul is getting at is this. The connection is fully owned with that which had been from God of old. But with the vanity also came hope. God promised that a Savior would come (Genesis 3:15) and that this savior would help mankind. Not to be an unembodied creature, but to be clothed upon or to move into that body which God has in heaven.Now interesting, Paul is likening this body to a tent. Accordingly Romans 8:1-39 pursues in the most practical manner the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. It is against the "unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." He means sinful human nature, apart from Christ, everything that attaches a man to the world instead of to God. Till the cross, well might a converted soul be found groaning in misery at each fresh discovery of evil in himself. And as that little remnant is ever sustained by the grace of God, it is the standing pledge of their final blessedness through His mercy, whereon the apostle breaks out into raptures of thanksgiving to God. It may be that in Romans 8:34 Paul is doing a very wonderful thing. God loves me good or bad. Thus, having shown the Gentile in Romans 1:1-32 manifestly wrong, and hopelessly degraded to the last degree having laid bare the moral dilettantism of the philosophers, not one whit better in the sight of God, but rather the reverse having shown the Jew overwhelmed by the condemnation of the divine oracles in which he chiefly boasted, without real righteousness, and so much the more guilty for his special privileges, all now lies clear for bringing in the proper Christian message, the. He is the accuser of the brethren. Bible Verse; Newest; Oldest; Most Viewed; Sermon. Finally he brings in Isaiah, showing that, far from retaining their blessing as an unbroken people, a remnant alone would be saved. In the second part of the passage Paul speaks of the effect of the work of Jesus on us. Because I don't always know what God's particular will is in a particular situation. In our present state we come short, not only in the enjoyment, but in the knowledge of that glory (1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 John 3:2): it shall be revealed. Just what do you mean?" When man sinned, the ground was cursed for man's sake, and with it all the creatures (especially of this lower world, where our acquaintance lies) became subject to that curse, became mutable and mortal. ( Romans 8:35.) In the gospel there is revealed God's righteousness. Paul says in effect: "God for us did not spare his own Son; surely that is the final guarantee that he loves us enough to supply all our needs." 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. The world is one where beauty fades and loveliness decays; it is a dying world; but it is waiting for its liberation from all this and the coming of the state of glory. Twice the father symbolically sold his son, and twice he bought him back; but the third time he did not buy him back and thus the patria potestas was held to be broken. There is nothing that proves this so convincingly as the book of Genesis; and the apostle, by the Spirit of God, calmly but triumphantly summons the Jewish Scriptures to demonstrate that which the Jews were so strenuously denying. The woman also mentioned that some pastors reminded her that speaking in tongues may originate from evil spirits. Nor is there only the manifest call of the Gentiles in this, but with no less clearness there is the rejection, at any rate for a time, of proud Israel. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! This could not be attained if they were removed at once to heaven. Besides this, which seems to be a most comprehensive expression for embracing every sort and degree of human iniquity, we have one very specifically named. That is the problem of these people who never read the context, they just grab the phrase that they want out of a verse and never bother to look at the context of that particular verse, and we will see it in its context in a moment. It is our having received the first-fruits of the Spirit, which both quickens our desires and encourages our hopes, and both ways raises our expectations. He shows that, on the responsible ground of being His nation, they were wholly ruined. Oratio: United with Him in Resurrection. This was not suitable to the character of the epistle; but the glory of God he does. But the Bible says that if your consciousness is separated from God, that is, you don't have a real consciousness of God, that you are dead, because your consciousness is separated from God. You know things start going wrong, "Oh, I need to talk to someone," you know. What the law says, it speaks to those under it. The day hastens when the Redeemer shall come to Zion. Without faith there is neither justice nor life that God owns; where faith is, the rest will surely follow. What is it we are thus desiring and waiting for? excellent gift of all" (Sibylline Oracles 3: 620-633). They too should live. The logos ( G3056) was the reason and the mind of God in the universe, making it an order and not a chaos. There is laid down the most essential of all truths as a groundwork of salvation; namely, expiation. To put it in another way, the Stoic believed that nothing could happen to a man which did not come from God and which was not part of God's plan for him. For better or for worse, for richer for poorer. In addition, after man ruined perfection, even nature had to bear some of the consequences. 2 Commentary On Romans 12 1 2 Ephesians 4 17 20 The 15-01-2023 eral gifts for the common benet. Free postage . Were it merely Romans 3:1-31 there could not be full peace with God as there is. If you only knew that God's love for you is broader than the universe, and God's desires for you are only for your good, and it is foolish to run from God. oh, man. Christ is come, and has changed all. He concludes the sufferings not worthy to be compared with the glory--ouk axia pros ten doxan. Paul is saying: "You can think of every terrifying thing that this or any other world can produce. We were able to sit not on those hard metal chairs and not walk on the black asphalt, and not have to be subjected to that loud noise of those blowing heaters and smell the kerosene, but we were able to sit here in the upholstered pews, walk on the carpet, and enjoy the comforts of this more permanent home.Now there is a likening, but it falls short, because that house that God has for me in heaven is eternal. Apologizing, repenting for my failure of the past week. Romans 8 actually teaches us God is not interested in just "getting us into heaven", and heaven is not just a way of escape for us. Such has been their singular fruit of promise; such even in the midst of all their misery it is at present. For all this, as he presses further, there was the weightiest reason possible. Paul has the very same thought. Adam did it meritoriously; the creatures being delivered to him, when he by sin delivered himself he delivered them likewise into the bondage of corruption. But if we hope for what we do not see, then in patience we eagerly wait for it. This he reckons. This concern that God has for his people involves everything. Here was the very truth that every Jew, as such, denied. This hope is related to the thought in verse 21. What glory so rich as that of the Christ Himself duly appreciated? And if it be objected, What use will they be of to glorified saints? Just the bottom is knocked out. And because God is for you, I don't care what forces of hell may be against you, they are nothing compared to God.Never think of Satan as the opposite of God. It is only when we understand how serious and complicated a step Roman adoption was that we really under stand the depth of meaning in this passage. world. All the world was guilty before God. THE LOVE FROM WHICH NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US ( Romans 8:31-39 ). That is what Paul is thinking of. Live with Rachel Mellema. Who is the one condemning? These are astrological terms. In this too we have the blessed connection of the Spirit (here peculiarly designated, for special reasons, "the Spirit of holiness"). When God ceases to bring things to your mind to pray for, finish by praising and thanking Him for what He has done, reminding yourself of Romans 11:36, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. Now Christ died and rose again; and the man who is one with Christ is one with death's conqueror and shares in that victory. They should not at all deter and frighten us from the diligent and earnest pursuit of that glory. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. I mean the redemption of our body. Romans 1:1-32. See the gains of suffering for Christ; though we may be losers for him, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end. He is not. 10 brothers, 1 my heart's desire and prayer to god for them is that they may be saved. And God has written His law in my heart by which God now directs and controls even my desire--this new life in the Spirit in Christ. On both sides therefore the apostle is meeting the grand points he had at heart to demonstrate from their own Scriptures. Although many agree that God is spoken of here, Godet thought it was Adam who, through his rebellion, subjected the lower creation to the curse of God; and Hammond was quoted by him as applying the term "him". When the creatures are made the food and fuel of our lusts, they are subject to vanity, they are captivated by the law of sin. Love woke within our hearts; the conviction of sin came, and with it came the experience of forgiveness and of salvation. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. And when I was a child I spent one summer in a home in Montecito where my aunt was the maid. Nevertheless, what is in nowise the same as what was or what will be. Thus the introduction opened with Christ's person, and closes with God's righteousness. That is what Paul means here. The book of Genesis shows that God created the earth to be kind to man. The saints are heirs though in this world they are heirs under age; see Galatians 4:1; Galatians 4:2. I can't return again to my mother's womb and be born." ", No malign influences (powers) will separate us from Christ. To move out of them. Although circumcision began with Abraham, manifestly it had nothing to do with his righteousness, and at best was but the seal of the righteousness of faith which he had in an uncircumcised state. already. Not bearing witness with my intellect, not bearing witness with my body, bearing witness to my spirit where I have joined with God that I am the child of God. 07-12-2022 12. Romans 8:18 is a well-known scripture written by Paul. Having shown first, then, the sources and the character of the blessing in general as far as regards deliverance, the apostle sums up the result in the end of the chapter: "That as sin hath reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life," the point being justification of life now through Jesus Christ our Lord. He thinks of nature longing for the day when sin's dominion would be broken, death and decay would be gone, and God's glory would come. Now are we the sons of God, but it does not yet appear, the honour is now clouded; but then God will publicly own all his children. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh ( Romans 8:3 ). This is to fall back on a principle he had already used. This also is a most important truth, my brethren, to bear in mind. And when you come against that which you can't understand, it is important that you have certain foundations that you do understand and you fall back on the foundations. There could be but one satisfactory answer. And not knowing the will of God then it is difficult often to pray, because it doesn't really make sense to pray against the will of God.The purpose of prayer is never to accomplish my will; the real purpose of prayer is always to accomplish God's will. c. Who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit: These words are not found in the earliest ancient manuscripts of the Book of Romans and they do not agree with the flow of Paul's context here. Our way is rough and long; but he that shall come will come, and will not tarry; and therefore, though he seem to tarry, it becomes us to wait for him. (b) Our belief is in a Christ who died and rose again and who is alive for evermore--that is the statement. First of all the apostle points out that death has come in, and that this was no consequence of law, but before it. Week after week I would promise God that I was going to do better next week. Hence it is, as he says, herein revealed "from faith," or by faith. It was undeniable that the Gentiles did not seek the Lord, nor ask after Him; and the prophet says that Jehovah was found of them that sought Him not, and was made manifest to them that asked not after Him. In other words, that we might be made the sons of God, but the firstborn is first in prominence, Jesus first in prominence, but He is the firstborn of many brethren. It is the going forth of His richest blessing. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? He says that those who love God, and who are called according to his purpose, know well that God is intermingling all things for good to them. Now the earliest creed of the Church, which is still the essence of all Christian creeds, ran like this: "He was crucified dead and buried; the third day he rose again from the dead; and sitteth at the right hand of God from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead." learning, and eloquence; likewise their vain philosophy, The adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Thou shalt not desire thy neighbor's wife or anything that belongs to your neighbor, and he had realized that he had violated that. For it is by hope that we are saved; but a hope which is already visible is not a hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 9. He draws a great picture. The notion that this passage (Romans 8:19-23) is a reference to all creation lower than the level of humanity "yearning in hope" is contrary to reason. Jesus is in charge. He is saying four things about Jesus. Now, to comfort them in reference to those sufferings, he tells them that they suffered with Christ--for his sake, for his honour, and for the testimony of a good conscience, and should be glorified with him. In no way is Satan opposite of God. Taxes; Taxes may be applicable at checkout. The Rabbis said that there was nothing in the world, not even a blade of grass, that had not got its angel. (Romans 8:28) 12/04/11 : The "Ordo Salutis" (Romans 8:28-30) 12/11/11 : Sovereignty & Responsibility (Romans 8:28-30 Part 2) 12/18/11 : God is For Us! Oh, how happy is the man to whom God does not impute iniquity. Then they conquered. The Old Testament has an illuminating use of the word to know. That is Paul's argument, and, to him and to those who heard it, it was completely convincing, however hard it is for us to grasp it. But then he went on to declare. And we know that all things ( Romans 8:28 ). How can I really know that I am a son of God? You believe in God, believe also in Me. If we suffer with him we shall also be glorified with him. Thereby is identification with His death. If that be so who can possibly condemn men? He had this, of course, in a revelation that was from God; he had law; he had prophets; he had divine institutions. There was no law there or then; for Abraham died long before God spoke from Sinai. But if the thing stays flat they say, "Well, he is gone. To Him be the glory forever! Where lies the value of belonging to the circumcised people of God? (6-13) Answers to objections against God's sovereign conduct, in exercising mercy and justice. First, he raises the question, "Has God cast away his people?" And, of course, the tent blew over and it had holes in it. He shows the object of expectation from what is of an opposite character; for as creatures, being now subject to corruption, cannot be restored until the sons of God shall be wholly restore; hence they, longing for their renewal, look forward to the manifestation of the celestial kingdom. (ii) But there is another way to take it. we may suppose them of as much use as they were to Adam in innocency; and if it be only to illustrate the wisdom, power, and goodness of their Creator, that is enough. It could not happen to me unless God did allow it to happen to me, and God loves me and is working out what is best for me. (2.) If man is acquitted by God, then he is saved from every other condemnation. This, however, will be put to the test by-and-by. The great point is to note the true picture given us of a soul quickened, but labouring and miserable under law, not at all consciously delivered. The Liberating Law of the Spirit of Life. Part of the suffering experienced by creation is to remind man that all sin exacts too great a price (CBL, Romans, p. 131). He says, that they have been subjected to vanity, and for this reason, because they abide not in a constant and durable state, but being as it were evanescent and unstable, they pass away swiftly; for no doubt he sets vanity in opposition to a perfect state. This to me is an interesting statement, because so often men are seeking to offer to God the works of their flesh, and seeking that God would accept the works of their flesh. conceits they had of themselves, of their wisdom, knowledge, Romans 8:1-39 displays this comforting truth in its fulness. The weak are not to judge the strong, and the strong are not to despise the weak. 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