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Be Ruled by the Spirit

So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not ·judged guilty[a] [condemned; punished for their sins]. [L For] ·Through [or In] Christ Jesus the ·law [principle; or power] of the Spirit that brings life set you[b] free from the ·law [principle; or power] that brings sin and death. The law [C of Moses] was without power, because the law was made weak by our ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh]. But God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son to earth ·with the same human life that others use for sin [or in a body like ours, prone to sin; L in the likeness of sinful flesh]. By sending his Son ·to be an offering for sin [L concerning sin], God ·used a human life to destroy sin [L condemned sin in the flesh]. He did this so that ·we could be the kind of people that the law demands that we be [L the law’s righteous/just requirements would be fulfilled in us]. Now we do not ·live [walk; C life’s journey] following our ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh], but following the Spirit.

Those who live following their ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh] ·think only about [have their minds set on; or have their outlook shaped by] things that their ·sinful selves [sinful nature; T flesh] want. But those who live following the Spirit ·are thinking about [have their minds set on; or have their outlook shaped by] the things ·the Spirit wants them to do [L of the Spirit]. If people’s ·thinking is controlled by [or outlook/mind is set on] the ·sinful self [sinful nature; T flesh], ·there is [the result is] death. But if their ·thinking is controlled by [or outlook/mind is set on] the Spirit, ·there is [the result is] life and peace. When people’s ·thinking is controlled by [or outlook/mind is set on] the ·sinful self [sinful nature; T flesh], they are ·against [hostile to] God, because they refuse to ·obey [submit to] God’s law and really are not even able to ·obey [submit to] God’s law. Those people who are ·ruled by [or under the control of; L in] ·their sinful selves [their sinful nature; T the flesh] cannot please God.

But you are not ·ruled by [controlled by; or in] ·your sinful selves [your sinful nature; T the flesh], but ·by [or in] the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. 10 Your body ·will always be [L is] dead because of sin. But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit ·gives you [L is] life, because ·Christ made you right with God [L of righteousness]. 11 God raised Jesus from the dead, and if God’s Spirit is living in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies that die, through[c] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 So, my brothers and sisters, we ·must not be ruled by [L are not obligated to] ·our sinful selves [our sinful nature; T the flesh] or live ·the way our sinful selves want [according to the sinful nature/T flesh]. 13 [L For] If you ·use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want [L live according to the flesh], you will ·die spiritually [L die]. But if you ·use the Spirit’s help to [L by the Spirit] ·stop doing the wrong things you do with [L put to death the deeds of] your body, you will ·have true life [L live].

14 For all those who are led by the Spirit of God are the ·children [or sons] of God. 15 ·The Spirit you received does not make you slaves again to fear [or You did not receive the spirit of slavery, leading to fear]; instead, you received the Spirit ·who adopts you as God’s children [L of adoption]. ·With [Through] that Spirit we cry out, “Abba [C Aramaic for “Father”; Mark 14:36], Father.” 16 And the Spirit himself ·joins with [or testifies to] our spirits to say we are God’s children. 17 If we are God’s children, we ·will receive blessings from God together with Christ [L are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ]. ·But we must [L …if indeed we] ·suffer as Christ suffered [share in his sufferings] so that we ·will have glory as Christ has glory [may share in his glory].

Our Future Glory

18 [L For I consider that] The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be ·shown [revealed] to us. 19 ·Everything God made [L The creation] is waiting with ·excitement [eager expectation] for ·God to show his children’s glory completely [the revelation of the children/sons of God]. 20 ·Everything God made [L For the creation] was ·changed to become useless [subjected to futility/meaninglessness; Gen. 3; Eccl. 1:2], not by its own wish but because God ·wanted [L subjected] it ·and because all along there was this hope [yet with the hope…]: 21 that ·everything God made [the creation itself] would be set free from ·ruin [inevitable decay; L the slavery of decay] to have the ·freedom and glory [or glorious freedom] that belong to God’s children.

22 We know that ·everything God made [all creation] has been ·waiting until now in pain, like a woman ready to give birth [L groaning with labor pains until now]. 23 Not only the world, but we also ·have been waiting with pain inside us [L groan within ourselves]. We have the Spirit as the ·first part of God’s promise [L firstfruits; C as the first crops confirmed the future harvest, so the Spirit’s presence confirms believers’ final salvation]. So we are [eagerly] waiting for ·God to finish making us his own children [L our adoption], which means ·our bodies will be made free [L the redemption of our bodies]. 24 We were saved, ·and we have this hope [or …by this hope; L in hope]. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. ·People do not hope [L For who hopes…?] for something they already have. 25 But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it ·patiently [with perseverance].

26 ·Also [or In the same way], the Spirit helps us ·with [or in] our weakness. We do not know ·how to pray as we should [or what we ought to pray for]. But the Spirit himself ·speaks to God for us [intercedes] with ·deep feelings [L groanings] ·that words cannot explain [or that are inexpressible; or that are unspoken; or too deep for words]. 27 ·God can see what is in people’s hearts and [L The one who searches hearts] knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit ·speaks to God [intercedes; appeals] for ·his people [or his holy people; T the saints] ·in the way God wants [or in harmony with God; L according to God].

28 We know that ·in everything God works [or God works everything together; or everything works together (see text note)] for the good of those who love him.[d] They are the people he called, ·because that was his plan [L …according to his purpose]. 29 ·God knew them before he made the world [L For those whom he foreknew…], ·and he chose them […he also predestined/chose beforehand] to be ·like [molded to the pattern of; conformed to the image of] his Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn [C the preeminent one, but also indicating others will follow] of many brothers and sisters [C Jesus’ resurrection confirms that his followers will also share in God’s glory]. 30 And those God ·chose to be like his Son [predestined; chose beforehand], he also called; and those he called, he also ·made right with him [declared righteous; justified]; and those he ·made right [declared righteous; justified], he also glorified [C both a past act in Christ, and a future transformation].

God’s Love in Christ Jesus

31 So what should we say ·about this [in response to these things]? If God is for us, ·no one can defeat us [L who is against us?]. 32 He did not spare his own Son but ·gave him [or delivered him over; C to death] for us all. So with Jesus, ·God will surely [how could he not…?] give us all things. 33 Who can ·accuse [bring an accusation/charge against] the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One who ·makes them right [declares them righteous; justifies them]. 34 Who can ·say God’s people are guilty [condemn; pronounce punishment]? No one, because Christ Jesus died, but he was also raised from the dead, and now he is on God’s right ·side [hand; Ps. 110:1], ·appealing to God [interceding; pleading] for us. 35 ·Can anything [or Who can] separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can ·troubles [trials; tribulations] or ·problems [distress; hardship] or ·sufferings [persecution] or ·hunger [famine] or ·nakedness [destitution] or danger or ·violent death [L sword]? 36 As it is written in the Scriptures:

“For ·you [your sake] we are ·in danger of death [L being put to death] all the time.
    ·People think we are worth no more than [L We were considered like] sheep ·to be killed [about to be slaughtered; Ps. 44:22].”

37 But in all these things we are completely victorious through ·God [or Christ; L the One] who showed his love for us. 38 Yes, I am ·sure [convinced] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ·ruling spirits [or heavenly rulers; or demons; L rulers; T principalities], nothing ·now [in the present], nothing in the future, no ·powers [or spiritual powers/authorities], 39 ·nothing above us [or no powers in the sky], ·nothing below us [or nor powers in the depths], nor ·anything else in the whole world [any created thing] will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:1 guilty Some Greek copies continue, “those who do not live in the power of their sinful selves, but in the power of the Spirit.”
  2. Romans 8:2 you Some Greek copies read “me.”
  3. Romans 8:11 through Some Greek copies read “because of.”
  4. Romans 8:28 We … him. Some Greek copies read “We know that everything works together for good for those who love God.”

1 He concludeth that there is no condemnation to them, who are grafted in Christ through his Spirit, 3 howsoever they be as yet burdened with sins: 9 For they live through that Spirit, 14 Whose testimony, 15 driveth away all fear, 28 and relieveth our present miseries.

Now [a]then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, which [b]walk not after the [c]flesh, but after the Spirit.

[d]For the [e]Law of the Spirit of [f]life which is in [g]Christ Jesus, hath [h]freed me from the Law of sin and of death.

[i]For (that that was [j]impossible to the Law, inasmuch as it was weak, because of the [k]flesh) God sending his own Son, in the similitude of [l]sinful flesh, and for [m]sin, [n]condemned sin in the flesh,

That that [o]righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled [p]in us, which walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

[q]For they that are after the [r]flesh, savor the things of the flesh: but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

[s]For the wisdom of the flesh is death: but the wisdom of the Spirit is life and peace,

[t]Because the wisdom of the flesh is enmity against God: [u]for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be.

[v]So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God.

[w]Now ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, because the spirit of God dwelleth in you: but if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, the same is not his.

10 [x]And if Christ be in you, the [y]body is dead, because of sin: but the Spirit is life for righteousness sake.

11 [z]But 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 [aa]dwelleth in you.

12 [ab]Therefore brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:

13 [ac]For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye mortify the deeds of the body by the Spirit, ye shall live.

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

15 [ae]For ye have not received the [af]Spirit of bondage, to [ag]fear again: but ye have received the Spirit of [ah]adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

17 [ai]If we be children, we are also [aj]heirs, even the heirs of God, and heirs annexed with Christ: [ak]if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

18 [al]For I [am]count that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory, which shall be showed unto us.

19 [an]For the fervent desire of the [ao]creature waiteth when the sons of God shall be revealed,

20 Because the creature is subject to [ap]vanity, not of its [aq]own will, but by reason [ar]of him, which hath subdued it under [as]hope,

21 Because the creature also shall be delivered from the [at]bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

22 For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and [au]travaileth in pain together unto this present.

23 [av]And not only the creature, but we also which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we do sigh in [aw]ourselves, waiting for the adoption, even [ax](A)the redemption of our body.

24 [ay]For we are saved by hope: but [az]hope that is seen, is not hope: for how can a man hope for that which he seeth?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, we do with patience abide for it.

26 [ba]Likewise the Spirit also [bb]helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what to pray as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh [bc]request for us with sighs, which cannot be expressed.

27 But he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the [bd]meaning of the Spirit: for he maketh request for the Saints, [be]according to the will of God.

28 [bf]Also we know that [bg]all things work together for the best unto them that love God, even to them that are called of his [bh]purpose.

29 For those which he knew before, he also predestinated to be made like to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover, whom he [bi]predestinated, them also he called, and whom he called, them also he justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 [bj]What shall we then say to these things? If God be on our side, who can be against us?

32 Who spared not his own Son, but gave him for us all to death, how shall he not with him [bk]give us all things also?

33 [bl]Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s chosen? it is [bm]God that justifieth.

34 Who shall condemn? it is Christ which is dead: yea, or rather, which is risen again, who is also at the right hand of God, and maketh request also for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of [bn]Christ? shall tribulation or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, (B)For thy sake are we killed all day long: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter:

37 [bo]Nevertheless, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:1 A conclusion of all the former disputation from Rom 1:16 even to this place: Seeing that we being justified by faith in Christ, do obtain remission of sins and imputation of righteousness, and are also sanctified, it followeth hereof, that they that are grafted into Christ by faith, are out of all fear of condemnation.
  2. Romans 8:1 The fruits of the Spirit, or effects of sanctification, which is begun in us, do not ingraft us into Christ, but do declare that we are grafted into him.
  3. Romans 8:1 Follow not the flesh for their guide: for he is not said to live after the flesh, that hath the holy Ghost for his guide, though sometimes he step away.
  4. Romans 8:2 A preventing of an objection: seeing that the virtue of the spirit which is in us, is so weak, how may we gather thereby, that there is no condemnation to them that have that virtue? because saith he, that virtue of the quickening spirit which is so weak in us, is most perfect and most mighty in Christ, and being imputed unto us which believe, causeth us to be so accounted of, as though there were no relics of corruption, and death in us. Therefore hitherto Paul disputed of remission of sins, and imputation of fulfilling the Law, and also of sanctification which is begun in us: but now he speaketh of the perfect imputation of Christ’s manhood, which part was necessarily required to the full appeasing of our consciences: for our sins are defaced by the blood of Christ, and the guiltiness of our corruption is covered with the imputation of Christ’s obedience: and the corruption itself (which the Apostle calleth sinful sin) is healed in us by little and little, by the gift of sanctification, but yet it lacketh besides that another remedy, to wit, the perfect sanctification of Christ’s own flesh, which also is to us imputed.
  5. Romans 8:2 The power and authority of the spirit, against which is set the tyranny of sin.
  6. Romans 8:2 Which mortifieth the old man, and quickeneth the new man.
  7. Romans 8:2 To wit, absolutely and perfectly.
  8. Romans 8:2 For Christ’s sanctification being imputed unto us, perfecteth our sanctification which is begun in us.
  9. Romans 8:3 He useth no argument here, but expoundeth the mystery of sanctification, which is imputed unto us: for because, that the virtue of the law was not such (and that by reason of the corruption of our nature) that it could make man pure and perfect: and for that it rather kindled the disease of sin, than did put it out and extinguish it, therefore God clothed his Son with flesh like unto our sinful flesh, wherein he utterly abolished our corruption, that being accounted thoroughly pure and without fault in him apprehended and laid hold on by faith, we might be found to have fully that singular perfection which the Law requireth, and therefore that there might be no condemnation in us.
  10. Romans 8:3 Which is not proper to the Law, but cometh by our fault.
  11. Romans 8:3 In man not born anew, whose disease the law could not heal it.
  12. Romans 8:3 Of man’s nature which was corrupt through sin, until he sanctified it.
  13. Romans 8:3 To abolish sin in our flesh.
  14. Romans 8:3 Showed that sin hath no right in us.
  15. Romans 8:4 The very substance of the law of God might be fulfilled, or that same which the law requireth, that we may be found just before God: for if with our justification there be joined that sanctification which is imputed to us, we are just, according to the perfect form which the Lord requireth.
  16. Romans 8:4 He returneth to that which he said, that the sanctification which is begun in us, is a sure testimony of our ingrafting into Christ, which is a most plentiful fruit of a godly and honest life.
  17. Romans 8:5 A reason why to walk after the flesh, agreeth not to them which are grafted in Christ, but to walk after the spirit agreeth and is meet for them: because, saith he, that they which are after the flesh, savor the things of the flesh, but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit.
  18. Romans 8:5 They that live as the flesh leadeth them.
  19. Romans 8:6 He proveth the consequent: because that whatsoever the flesh savoreth, that engendereth death: and whatsoever the spirit savoreth, that tendeth to joy and life everlasting.
  20. Romans 8:7 A reason and proof, why the wisdom of the flesh is death: because, saith he, it is the enemy of God.
  21. Romans 8:7 A reason why the wisdom of the flesh is enemy to God: because it neither will neither can be subject to him. And by flesh he meaneth a man not regenerate.
  22. Romans 8:8 The conclusion: therefore they that walk after the flesh, cannot please God: whereby it followeth, that they are not ingrafted into Christ.
  23. Romans 8:9 He cometh to the others, to wit, to them which walk after the spirit, of whom we have to understand contrary things to the former: and first of all he defineth what it is to be in the spirit, or to be sanctified: to wit, to have the spirit of God dwelling in us; then he declareth, that sanctification is so joined and knit to our grafting in Christ, that it can by no means be separated.
  24. Romans 8:10 He confirmeth the faithful against the relics of flesh and sin, granting that they are yet (as appeareth by the corruption which is in them) touching one of their parts (which he calleth the body, that is to say, a lump) which is not yet purged from the earthly filthiness in death: but therewithall willing them to doubt nothing of the happy success of their combat, because that even the little spark of the Spirit, (that is, of the grace of regeneration) which appeareth to be in them by the fruits of righteousness, is the seed of life.
  25. Romans 8:10 The flesh, or all that which as yet sticketh fast in the clefts of sin, and death.
  26. Romans 8:11 A confirmation of the former sentence. You have the selfsame Spirit, which Christ hath: Therefore at length it shall die the same in you, that it did in Christ, to wit, when all infirmities being utterly laid aside, and death overcome, it shall clothe you with heavenly glory.
  27. Romans 8:11 By the virtue and power of it, which showed the same might first in our head, and daily worketh in his members.
  28. Romans 8:12 An exhortation to oppress the flesh daily more and more by the virtue of the Spirit of regeneration, because (saith he) you are debtors unto God, forsomuch as you have received so many benefits of him.
  29. Romans 8:13 Another reason of the profit that ensueth: for such as strive and fight valiantly, shall have everlasting life.
  30. Romans 8:14 A confirmation of this reason: they be the children of God, which are governed by his Spirit, therefore shall they have life everlasting.
  31. Romans 8:15 He declareth and expoundeth by the way, in these two verses, by what right this name, to be called the children of God, is given to the believers: because saith he, they have received the grace of the Gospel, wherein God showeth himself, not (as before in the publishing of the Law) terrible and fearful, but a most benign and loving father in Christ, so that with great boldness we call him Father, that holy Ghost sealing this adoption in our hearts by faith.
  32. Romans 8:15 By the Spirit is meant the holy Ghost, whom we are said to receive, when he worketh in our minds.
  33. Romans 8:15 Which fear is stirred up in our minds, by the preaching of the Law.
  34. Romans 8:15 Which sealeth our adoption in our minds, and therefore openeth our mouths.
  35. Romans 8:17 A proof of the consequent of the confirmation: because that he which is the Son of God, doth enjoy God with Christ.
  36. Romans 8:17 Partakers of our father’s goods, and that freely, because we are children by adoption.
  37. Romans 8:17 Now Paul teacheth by what way the sons of God do come to that felicity, to wit, by the cross, as Christ himself did: and therewithall openeth unto them fountains of comfort: as first, that we have Christ a companion and fellow of our afflictions: secondly, that we shall be also his followers in that everlasting glory.
  38. Romans 8:18 Thirdly that this glory which we look for, doth a thousand parts surmount the misery of our afflictions.
  39. Romans 8:18 All being well considered, I gather.
  40. Romans 8:19 Fourthly, he plainly teacheth us that we shall certainly be renewed from that confusion and horrible deformation of the whole world, which cannot be continual, as it was not at the beginning: But as it had a beginning by the sin of man, for whom it was made by the ordinance of God, so shall it at length be restored with the elect.
  41. Romans 8:19 All this world.
  42. Romans 8:20 Is subject to a vanishing and flitting state.
  43. Romans 8:20 Not by their natural inclination.
  44. Romans 8:20 That they should obey the Creator’s commandment, whom it pleased to show by their fickle estate, how greatly he was displeased with man.
  45. Romans 8:20 God would not make the world subject to everlasting curse, for the sin of man, but gave it hope that it should be restored.
  46. Romans 8:21 From the corruption which they are now subject to, they shall be delivered and changed into that blessed state of incorruption, which shall be revealed when the sons of God shall be advanced to glory.
  47. Romans 8:22 By this word is meant, not only exceeding sorrow, but also the fruit that followeth of it.
  48. Romans 8:23 Fifthly, if the rest of the world looks for a restoring, groaning as it were for it, and that not in vain, let it not grieve us also to sigh, yea, let us be more certainly persuaded of our redemption to come, forasmuch as we have the firstfruits of the Spirit.
  49. Romans 8:23 Even from the bottom of our hearts.
  50. Romans 8:23 That last restoring, which shall be the accomplishment of our adoption.
  51. Romans 8:24 Sixthly, hope is necessarily joined with faith: seeing then that we believe those things, which we are not yet in possession of, and hope respected not the thing that is present, we must therefore hope and patiently wait for that which we believe shall come to pass.
  52. Romans 8:24 This is spoken by the figure Metonymy: Hope, for that which is hoped for.
  53. Romans 8:26 Seventhly, There is no cause why we should faint under the burden of afflictions, seeing that prayers minister unto us a most sure help, which cannot be frustrated, seeing they proceed from the spirit of God which dwelleth in us.
  54. Romans 8:26 Beareth our burden, as it were that we faint not under it.
  55. Romans 8:26 Provoketh us to prayers, and telleth us as it were within, what we shall say, and how we shall groan.
  56. Romans 8:27 What sobs and sighs proceed from the instinct of his Spirit.
  57. Romans 8:27 Because he teacheth the godly to pray according to God’s will.
  58. Romans 8:28 Eighthly, we are not afflicted, either by chance or to our harm, but by God’s providence for our great profit, who as he chose us from the beginning, so hath he predestined us to be made like to the image of his Son: and therefore will bring us in his time, being called and justified, to glory, by the cross.
  59. Romans 8:28 Not only afflictions, but whatsoever else.
  60. Romans 8:28 He calleth that, Purpose, which God hath from everlasting appointed with himself according to his good will and pleasure.
  61. Romans 8:30 He useth the time past, for the time present, as the Hebrews use, who sometimes set down the thing that is to come, by the time that is past, to signify the certainty of it: and he hath also regard to God’s continual working.
  62. Romans 8:31 Ninethly, we have no cause to fear that the Lord will not give us whatsoever is profitable for us, seeing that he hath not spared his own Son to save us.
  63. Romans 8:32 Give us freely.
  64. Romans 8:33 A most glorious and comfortable conclusion of the whole second part of this Epistle, that is, of the treatise of justification. There are no accusers that we have need to be afraid of before God, seeing that God himself absolveth us as just: and therefore much less need we to fear damnation, seeing that we rest upon the death and resurrection, the almighty power and defense of Jesus Christ. Therefore what can there be so weighty in this life, or of so great force and power, that might seize us, as though we might fall from the love of God, wherewith he loveth us in Christ: Surely nothing. Seeing that it is in itself most constant and sure, and also in us being confirmed by steadfast faith.
  65. Romans 8:33 Who pronounceth us not only guiltless, but also perfectly just in his Son.
  66. Romans 8:35 Wherewith Christ loveth us.
  67. Romans 8:37 We are not only not overcome with so great and many miseries and calamities, but also more than conquerors in all of them.

AHORA pues, ninguna condenación hay para los que están en Cristo Jesús, los que no andan conforme á la carne, mas conforme al espíritu.

Porque la ley del Espíritu de vida en Cristo Jesús me ha librado de la ley del pecado y de la muerte.

Porque lo que era imposible á la ley, por cuanto era débil por la carne, Dios enviando á su Hijo en semejanza de carne de pecado, y á causa del pecado, condenó al pecado en la carne;

Para que la justicia de la ley fuese cumplida en nosotros, que no andamos conforme á la carne, mas conforme al espíritu.

Porque los que viven conforme á la carne, de las cosas que son de la carne se ocupan; mas los que conforme al espíritu, de las cosas del espíritu.

Porque la intención de la carne es muerte; mas la intención del espíritu, vida y paz:

Por cuanto la intención de la carne es enemistad contra Dios; porque no se sujeta á la ley de Dios, ni tampoco puede.

Así que, los que están en la carne no pueden agradar á Dios.

Mas vosotros no estáis en la carne, sino en el espíritu, si es que el Espíritu de Dios mora en vosotros. Y si alguno no tiene el Espíritu de Cristo, el tal no es de él.

10 Empero si Cristo está en vosotros, el cuerpo á la verdad está muerto á causa del pecado; mas el espíritu vive á causa de la justicia.

11 Y si el Espíritu de aquel que levantó de los muertos á Jesús mora en vosotros, el que levantó á Cristo Jesús de los muertos, vivificará también vuestros cuerpos mortales por su Espíritu que mora en vosotros.

12 Así que, hermanos, deudores somos, no á la carne, para que vivamos conforme á la carne:

13 Porque si viviereis conforme á la carne, moriréis; mas si por el espíritu mortificáis las obras de la carne, viviréis.

14 Porque todos los que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios, los tales son hijos de Dios.

15 Porque no habéis recibido el espíritu de servidumbre para estar otra vez en temor; mas habéis recibido el espíritu de adopción, por el cual clamamos, Abba, Padre.

16 Porque el mismo Espíritu da testimonio á nuestro espíritu que somos hijos de Dios.

17 Y si hijos, también herederos; herederos de Dios, y coherederos de Cristo; si empero padecemos juntamente con él, para que juntamente con él seamos glorificados.

18 Porque tengo por cierto que lo que en este tiempo se padece, no es de comparar con la gloria venidera que en nosotros ha de ser manifestada.

19 Porque el continuo anhelar de las criaturas espera la manifestación de los hijos de Dios.

20 Porque las criaturas sujetas fueron á vanidad, no de grado, mas por causa del que las sujetó con esperanza,

21 Que también las mismas criaturas serán libradas de la servidumbre de corrupción en la libertad gloriosa de los hijos de Dios.

22 Porque sabemos que todas las criaturas gimen á una, y á una están de parto hasta ahora.

23 Y no sólo ellas, mas también nosotros mismos, que tenemos las primicias del Espíritu, nosotros también gemimos dentro de nosotros mismos, esperando la adopción, es á saber, la redención de nuestro cuerpo.

24 Porque en esperanza somos salvos; mas la esperanza que se ve, no es esperanza; porque lo que alguno ve, ¿á qué esperarlo?

25 Empero si lo que no vemos esperamos, por paciencia esperamos.

26 Y asimismo también el Espíritu ayuda nuestra flaqueza: porque qué hemos de pedir como conviene, no lo sabemos; sino que el mismo Espíritu pide por nosotros con gemidos indecibles.

27 Mas el que escudriña los corazones, sabe cuál es el intento del Espíritu, porque conforme á la voluntad de Dios, demanda por los santos.

28 Y sabemos que á los que á Dios aman, todas las cosas les ayudan á bien, es á saber, á los que conforme al propósito son llamados.

29 Porque á los que antes conoció, también predestinó para que fuesen hechos conformes á la imagen de su Hijo, para que él sea el primogénito entre muchos hermanos;

30 Y á los que predestinó, á éstos también llamó; y á los que llamó, á éstos también justificó; y á los que justificó, á éstos también glorificó.

31 ¿Pues qué diremos á esto? Si Dios por nosotros, ¿quién contra nosotros?

32 El que aun á su propio Hijo no perdonó, antes le entregó por todos nosotros, ¿cómo no nos dará también con él todas las cosas?

33 ¿Quién acusará á los escogidos de Dios? Dios es el que justifica.

34 ¿Quién es el que condenará? Cristo es el que murió; más aún, el que también resucitó, quien además está á la diestra de Dios, el que también intercede por nosotros.

35 ¿Quién nos apartará del amor de Cristo? tribulación? ó angustia? ó persecución? ó hambre? ó desnudez? ó peligro? ó cuchillo?

36 Como está escrito:

Por causa de ti somos muertos todo el tiempo:

Somos estimados como ovejas de matadero.

37 Antes, en todas estas cosas hacemos más que vencer por medio de aquel que nos amó.

38 Por lo cual estoy cierto que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni ángeles, ni principados, ni potestades, ni lo presente, ni lo por venir,

39 Ni lo alto, ni lo bajo, ni ninguna criatura nos podrá apartar del amor de Dios, que es en Cristo Jesús Señor nuestro.

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