隨從聖靈而活

因此,如今那些在基督耶穌裡的人不被定罪, 因為賜人生命之聖靈的律已經在基督耶穌裡使我獲得自由,脫離了罪與死的律。 律法因為人性軟弱而無法成就的事,上帝親自成就了。祂差遣自己的兒子成為和罪人一樣有血有肉的人,作了贖罪祭,廢掉了罪的權勢, 使律法公義的要求實現在我們這些不隨從罪惡本性,只隨從聖靈而活的人身上。

隨從罪惡本性的人顧念罪惡本性的事,但隨從聖靈的人顧念聖靈的事。 顧念罪惡本性的人結局是死亡,但顧念聖靈的人卻有生命和平安。 因為顧念罪惡本性的人與上帝為敵,不服從上帝的律法,也無力服從。 所以受罪惡本性控制的人無法令上帝喜悅。

但如果上帝的靈住在你們裡面,你們就不再受制於罪惡的本性,而是受聖靈管理。人若沒有基督的靈,就不屬於基督。 10 如果基督在你們裡面,你們的身體雖然因罪惡而死亡,靈魂卻因上帝所賜的義而活著。 11 如果使耶穌復活之上帝的靈住在你們裡面,叫基督耶穌從死裡復活的上帝,必藉著住在你們裡面的聖靈,使你們終有一死的身體活過來。

12 弟兄姊妹,這樣看來,我們不必隨從罪惡本性活著。 13 你們若隨從罪惡本性活著,必定死亡;但若靠著聖靈除去身體的惡行,就必活著。

14 因為凡有上帝的聖靈引導的人都是上帝的兒女。 15 你們接受的聖靈不是使你們做奴隸,仍舊害怕,而是使你們做兒子,可以稱上帝為「阿爸,父親」。 16 聖靈親自與我們的心一同見證我們是上帝的兒女。 17 既然我們是兒女,就是繼承人,是上帝的後嗣,並且與基督同作後嗣。所以,如果現在我們和基督一同受苦,將來也必和祂一同得榮耀。

將來的榮耀

18 我認為現在所受的痛苦與將來要顯給我們的榮耀相比,簡直微不足道。 19 受造之物正熱切等候上帝眾子的顯現, 20 因為受造之物處在虛空之下並非出於情願,而是出於上帝的旨意。 21 不過,受造之物仍然盼望脫離衰亡之律的奴役,享受上帝兒女榮耀的自由。 22 我們知道一切受造之物至今都在呻吟,如同經歷分娩之痛。 23 不但如此,就是我們這些首先得到聖靈的人也在心裡歎息,熱切等候得到兒子的名分[a],就是我們的身體得到救贖。 24 我們得救的人有這個盼望。不過,看得見的盼望根本不算盼望,因為誰會盼望已經看見的呢? 25 但我們若盼望那尚未看見的,就會忍耐等候。

26 況且,我們軟弱的時候,有聖靈幫助我們。我們本來不知道怎樣禱告,但聖靈親自用說不出來的歎息替我們祈禱。 27 洞悉人心的上帝知道聖靈的意思,因為聖靈是照著上帝的旨意替聖徒祈禱。

28 我們知道,上帝使萬事互相效力[b],使那些愛上帝,就是上帝按自己的旨意呼召的人得益處。 29 因為上帝預先知道誰是屬祂的人,並預定這些人要被塑造成祂兒子的形像,使祂的兒子在許多弟兄中成為長子。 30 祂所預定的人,祂也呼召他們;祂所呼召的人,祂也稱他們為義人;祂稱為義人的,祂也使他們得榮耀。

上帝的愛

31 對於這些事,我們還可以說什麼呢?上帝若幫助我們,誰能與我們對抗? 32 上帝既然連自己的兒子也不顧惜,讓祂為我們犧牲,豈不也把萬物和祂一同白白地賜給我們嗎? 33 誰能指控上帝揀選的人呢?上帝已經稱他們為義人了。 34 誰能定他們有罪呢?基督耶穌已經替他們死了,而且祂還從死裡復活了,如今在上帝的右邊替我們祈禱。 35 誰能使我們與基督的愛分離呢?難道是患難嗎?困苦嗎?迫害嗎?饑餓嗎?赤身露體嗎?危險嗎?刀劍嗎? 36 正如聖經上說:「為了你,我們終日出生入死,被視為待宰的羊。」

37 然而,靠著愛我們的主,我們在這一切事上已經得勝有餘了。 38 因為我深信無論是死、是生,是天使、是鬼魔,是現在的事、是將來的事, 39 是高天之上的、是大地深處的或是其他受造之物,都不能使我們與上帝在主基督耶穌裡賜下的愛分離。

Footnotes

  1. 8·23 兒子的名分」指被收養為義子,可以享受和親生兒子一樣的權利。
  2. 8·28 上帝使萬事互相效力」或譯「萬事都互相效力」。

Life Through the Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation(A) for those who are in Christ Jesus,(B) because through Christ Jesus(C) the law of the Spirit who gives life(D) has set you[a] free(E) from the law of sin(F) and death. For what the law was powerless(G) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b](H) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh(I) to be a sin offering.[c](J) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement(K) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.(L)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;(M) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(N) The mind governed by the flesh is death,(O) but the mind governed by the Spirit is life(P) and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;(Q) it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh(R) cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh(S) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.(T) And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(U) they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you,(V) then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead(W) is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies(X) because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.(Y) 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;(Z) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,(AA) you will live.(AB)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(AC) are the children of God.(AD) 15 The Spirit(AE) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(AF) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.”(AG) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(AH) that we are God’s children.(AI) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(AJ)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(AK) in order that we may also share in his glory.(AL)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(AM) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(AN) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(AO) in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(AP) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(AQ)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(AR) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(AS) groan(AT) inwardly as we wait eagerly(AU) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(AV) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(AW) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(AX) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(AY)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit(AZ) himself intercedes for us(BA) through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts(BB) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes(BC) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(BD) of those who love him, who[i] have been called(BE) according to his purpose.(BF) 29 For those God foreknew(BG) he also predestined(BH) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(BI) that he might be the firstborn(BJ) among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined,(BK) he also called;(BL) those he called, he also justified;(BM) those he justified, he also glorified.(BN)

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things?(BO) If God is for us,(BP) who can be against us?(BQ) 32 He who did not spare his own Son,(BR) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge(BS) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?(BT) No one. Christ Jesus who died(BU)—more than that, who was raised to life(BV)—is at the right hand of God(BW) and is also interceding for us.(BX) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?(BY) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?(BZ) 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j](CA)

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors(CB) through him who loved us.(CC) 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future,(CD) nor any powers,(CE) 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God(CF) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(CG)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:2 The Greek is singular; some manuscripts me
  2. Romans 8:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13.
  3. Romans 8:3 Or flesh, for sin
  4. Romans 8:10 Or you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
  5. Romans 8:11 Some manuscripts bodies through
  6. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  7. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
  8. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
  9. Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
  10. Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
  11. Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers

Deliverance from Bondage

Therefore there is now no (A)condemnation at all for those who are (B)in (C)Christ Jesus. For (D)the law of the Spirit of life [a]in (E)Christ Jesus (F)has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For (G)what the Law could not do, [b](H)weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in (I)the likeness of [c]sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the (J)requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who (K)do not walk [d]according to the flesh but [e]according to the Spirit. For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on (L)the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, (M)the things of the Spirit. (N)For the mind [f]set on the flesh is (O)death, but the mind [g]set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind [h]set on the flesh is (P)hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are (Q)in the flesh cannot please God.

However, you are not (R)in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God (S)dwells in you. But (T)if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 (U)If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is [i]alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who (V)raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, (W)He who raised (X)Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [j]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for (Y)if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are (Z)putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are (AA)being led by the Spirit of God, these are (AB)sons and daughters of God. 15 For you (AC)have not received a spirit of slavery [k]leading to fear again, but you (AD)have received [l]a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “(AE)Abba! [m]Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself (AF)testifies with our spirit that we are (AG)children of God, 17 and if children, (AH)heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, (AI)if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (AJ)are not worthy to be compared with the (AK)glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the (AL)eagerly awaiting creation waits for (AM)the revealing of the (AN)sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation (AO)was subjected to (AP)futility, not willingly, but (AQ)because of Him who subjected it, [n]in hope 21 that (AR)the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation (AS)groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 (AT)And not only that, but also we ourselves, having (AU)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (AV)groan within ourselves, (AW)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, (AX)the redemption of our body. 24 For (AY)in hope we have been saved, but (AZ)hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But (BA)if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for (BB)we do not know what to pray for as we should, but (BC)the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with [o]groanings too deep for words; 27 and (BD)He who searches the hearts knows what (BE)the mind of the Spirit is, because He (BF)intercedes for the [p]saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that [q]God [r]causes (BG)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are (BH)called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He (BI)foreknew, He also (BJ)predestined to become (BK)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the (BL)firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He (BM)predestined, He also (BN)called; and these whom He called, He also (BO)justified; and these whom He justified, He also (BP)glorified.

31 (BQ)What then shall we say to these things? (BR)If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who (BS)did not spare His own Son, but (BT)delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against (BU)God’s elect? (BV)God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who (BW)condemns? Christ Jesus is He who (BX)died, but rather, was [s](BY)raised, who is (BZ)at the right hand of God, who also (CA)intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from (CB)the love of [t]Christ? Will (CC)tribulation, or trouble, or (CD)persecution, or (CE)famine, or (CF)nakedness, or (CG)danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written:

(CH)For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We were regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly (CI)conquer through (CJ)Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither (CK)death, nor life, nor (CL)angels, nor principalities, nor (CM)things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from (CN)the love of God that is (CO)in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:2 Or has set you free in Christ Jesus
  2. Romans 8:3 Lit in which it was weak
  3. Romans 8:3 Lit flesh of sin
  4. Romans 8:4 Or in accordance with
  5. Romans 8:4 Or in accordance with
  6. Romans 8:6 Lit of the
  7. Romans 8:6 Lit of the
  8. Romans 8:7 Lit of the
  9. Romans 8:10 Lit life
  10. Romans 8:11 One early ms because of
  11. Romans 8:15 Lit for fear again
  12. Romans 8:15 Or the Spirit
  13. Romans 8:15 Gr translation of the Aramaic Abba provided by Paul
  14. Romans 8:20 Or in hope; because the creation
  15. Romans 8:26 Lit wordless groanings
  16. Romans 8:27 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  17. Romans 8:28 One early ms He; i.e., God
  18. Romans 8:28 Or in all things works together with those...for good
  19. Romans 8:34 One early ms raised from the dead
  20. Romans 8:35 Two early mss God