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Scripture Reference

Romans 8:1-14

King James Version (KJV)

1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What This Passage Teaches

No Condemnation in Christ

The passage begins with the settled standing of those who are in Jesus Christ. He has dealt with sin, and the Spirit of life has made them free from the law of sin and death.

A New Mind and Direction

Life after the flesh is set against life after the Spirit. What rules the mind shapes the direction of life: the carnal mind ends in death, while the spiritual mind is life and peace.

The Spirit Dwells in Believers

The Holy Spirit is not presented as a distant influence. He dwells in those who belong to Christ, gives life, and is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.

Led by the Spirit

Believers owe nothing to the flesh. By the Spirit they put sinful deeds to death, and those who are led by the Spirit of God are identified as the sons of God.

Why It Matters

Romans 8 joins assurance and transformation. The Christian does not fight for acceptance with God; in Christ there is no condemnation. From that secure place, the believer learns to live under the Spirit’s leadership.

The passage also shows that spiritual life is not passive. By the Spirit, believers turn from the deeds of the body and set their minds on the things of the Spirit, confident that God will complete His life-giving work.

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