CHAPTER EIGHT OUTLINE

 

Outline Of The Chapter: Newness of Life

I. Victory - Walking after the spirit (1-4)

A. No condemnation to those who walk after the spirit

B. There is condemnation to those who walk after the flesh... Christians who walk after the flesh.

C. The law is powerless to help

D. The Son came to enable us

[1]. In the flesh, but not sinful flesh
[2]. Dealt with sin through his death
[3]. He imparted the righteousness the law required

E. The law is fulfilled by Christ in us.

II. The two choices described (5-13)

A. Two focuses of concern

[1]. Things of the spirit
[2]. Things of the flesh

B. Two inescapable results

[1]. Death
[2]. Life and peace

C. Two reasons

[1]. Flesh is enmity with God
[2]. The spirit is pleasing and acceptable

III. The two kinds of men (8,9)

A. In the flesh the lost

B. In the spirit the saved

IV. Two abiding facts about the Christian (10,11)

A. Your body is dead but you are alive (10)

B. Your dead body can be used to serve God (11)

V. One obligation (12,13)

A. We have no obligation to the flesh

B. Our obligation ... live through the spirit

VI. The sons of God (14-17)

A. How can you know you are a son?

[1]. Because you are led by the spirit

(a). Became a son by adoption
(b). You're not a slave, but a son

[2]. Because we cry "Abba" Father (16)

(a). Comes from the Spirit's witness within
(b). Expresses itself in the cry of a child

B. Sonship involves heirship (17)

[1]. Heirs of God - eternal irrevocable promises
[2]. Joint-heirs with Christ - dependent upon our service (millennial rewards)

 

• Incomparable Glory Ahead

I. The glory vastly exceeds the suffering

A. In intensity

B. In locality

II. Nature testifies to the coming glory (19-22)

A. Nature is waiting

B. Since it fell with man, it will also be restored with man

C. It groans in hope

III. Our present experience confirms this (23-25)

A. Believers groan

B. We groan in hope (24,25)

[1]. Salvation includes the body
[2]. We wait therefore with patience

• The Place of Prayer

I. What shall we ask God for? (26,27)

A. We lack wisdom to know

B. We lack the words to ask

C. Spirit intercedes for us

II. The Father's answer to the Spirit's prayer (25)

• God's Great Purpose and Our Proper Response (29-39)

I. The purpose of God - conformed to the image of His Son (29,30)

A. Foreknowledge

B. Predestination

C. Calling

D. Justification

E. Glorification

II. What then shall we say?

A. If God be for us .... ?

[1]. Removes fear of opposition
[2]. Removes fear of lack

B. Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? (33,34)

[1]. Because we are justified there can be no accusation
[2]. Because of Christ's righteousness there is no condemnation

C. Who shall separate us? (35-39)

[1]. Circumstances of life?
[2]. Powers within and beyond our lives?

 

 

Romans Chapter Eight is one of the greatest chapters in the whole Bible. Some of the most well-known verses in the word of God are in this chapter... (verses 1,18,28,29,38,39). The subject of the chapter is generally the death of the Christian with relationship to the future life.

Before beginning the chapter, it is important that certain phrases ought to be understood.

"In the flesh" - (Rom. 7:5; 8:8,9) - refers to a man who is lost.

"After the flesh" - (Rom. 8:1,4,5,12,13) - speaks of a Christian who serves the flesh.

"In the spirit" - can have two meanings, (Gal. 5:24). In the spirit can refer to your positional relationship to God, (Rom. 8:97) or it can refer to your walk in Christ, (Gal. 5:16).

"After the spirit" - (Rom. 8:1) is the same as "in the spirit", (Gal. 5:16) with regards to our walk, and is the opposite of "after the flesh", (Rom. 8:1).

Verse:

8:1 The Scofield Reference Bible tells us that the last 10 words of verse one are interpolated. It seems that man is bent on changing the text of the AV 1611. Why is it that when a man does not understand a scripture, he must change it to fit his preconceived theology? The verse states that there is no condemnation or judgment, to the man who walks after the spirit. Why would someone want to give you the idea that there are no judgments leveled on a carnal Christian? ( Cor. 11:27-32)

Condemnation or damnation can be temporary or eternal. Note eternal condemnation in (Mk. 16:16; Jn. 5:24; 1 Cor. 11:32). Note temporal condemnation in (Rom. 14:22,23; 1 Cor. 11:29) - context

Review the three laws working in us found in notes on Chapter Seven.

Romans Eight sums up, to this point, the doctrines of salvation. (Rom. 8:1) is a brief summary of Romans Chapter Five. (Rom. 8:2) is a summary of Chapter Six; (Rom. 8:3) of Chapter Seven and (8:4) is a summary of Chapter Eight.

As you read the chapter pay close attention to the terms "in the flesh", "after the flesh", as already noted. 'The misunderstanding of these terms caused the Scofield Board of Editors to reject the last 10 words of verse one, for the verse seemed to contradict their theology concerning eternal security. They also apparently had' confined condemnation to eternal condemnation.

"After the flesh" - (Romans 8:13; 14:23)

8:2 "Made me free" - (Jn. 8:32; 2 Cor. 3:11-14; Isa. 25:8; Hos. 13:14; Jn. 5:24; 1 Jn. 3:14)

8:3 "In the likeness of sinful flesh" - (Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:28; Gal. 3:13)

8:4 "In us", not "by us" - (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20)

"After the spirit" - verse one

8:5 (Romans 8:13)

8:6 "Carnally minded" - (Col. 2:18), fleshly mind

Carnal - fleshly, sensual, worldly, temporal. The English words carnival, carnivorous, carnage, are taken from its roots.

Verse six is discussing physical life and death, see (Rom. 8:13; 6:23)

8:7 "Enmity against God" - (Ja. 4:4; Gen. 3:15) - Enmity - unfriendly disposition, ill will, hostility.

8:8 "In the flesh - (Rom. 8:9; 7:5; Isa. 64:6 - Enoch - Heb. 11:5,6)

8:9 Verse nine clarifies this matter perfectly with no qualifications (as verse one has) 11 ... ye Is are not in the flesh ... if the Spirit of God dwells in YOU.

"In the Spirit" - positionally, not with regards to walk, (Gal. 3:2,3; 5:16,24; 1 Cor. 15:45; 2 Cor. 3:17; Eph. 3:17)

8:10 If Christ isn't in you, you are a live body (no spiritual circumcision), but if Christ is in you, you are a dead body and "Ye are complete in him... In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of sins of the flesh..." (Col. 2:10,11; Rom. 6:2-12,18; Phil. 3:3). "The only good body is a dead body."

8:11 "Shall quicken your mortal bodies" - (1 Cor. 15:45, 53-55; Eph. 1:18-21; 2 Cor. 12:1-5)

8:12 "Debtors" - (Rom. 1:14)

"After the flesh" - (Verses 4,5,13)

8:13 "Ye shall die" - (Rom. 6:23; 8:6; 1 Cor. 11:30)

"mortify the deeds of the body - (Col. 3:5; Eph. 4:22; Rom. 6:11,16; Gal. 5:24

"mortify" - Put to death

8:14 If you are led by the spirit, you are a child of God. (Gal. 5:18) says, if ye be led of the spirit , ye are not under the law." The contra positive of that statement, would be, "if I am not under the law, then I am led by the Spirit," the contra positive always being true. We know that we are dead to the law, and therefore not under it because of the Body of Christ. (Rom. 7:4; 6:2,14; Eph. 2:15)

"Sons of God" - (Gal. 3:26; Jn. 1:11,12; Rom. 8:16,17)

8:15 "it ...again to fear is - (2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Jn. 4:18)

"...adoption..." - (Rom. 8:23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5). You can dissolve a marriage legally but not an adoption.

"...Abba, Father..." - (Gal. 4)

8:16 "... itself ..." - the word is often criticized as an unfortunate error" in the KJV. The truth of the matter is, according to the rules of grammar, the Greek word for spirit" "pneuma", is neuter, demanding that the impersonal pronoun "itself" be used.

Some say that we are robbing the Spirit of his personality. other "unfortunate renderings" please see ( Jn. 1:1; Gen. 35:1; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 6:50).

One of the greatest forms of assurance we have as a Christians is the personal indwelling witness of the Spirit of God. Notice the witness of the Holy Ghost in (Heb. 10:15) is a he. See also (1 Jn. 3:24; 5:6)

8:17 Two positions are presented, we are:

[1]. heirs of God and

[2]. joint heirs with Christ. There are some inheritances that are conditional only on salvation, and as children we are heirs of our Father, God. There are some inheritances that are conditional (1 Cor. 3:11-16) and as joint-heirs with Christ, we must suffer to secure these inheritances. Unconditional - (1 Pet. 1:4); Conditional - (2 Tim. 2:10-13; 1 Cor. 4:8; Col. 3:24; 1 Tim. 1:8,12; 2:12; 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:12; 2 Cor. 11:20,21; Phil. 1:29; 2 Cor. 1:7); the distinction between these two can be found in (1 Cor. 6:9-11). See also (Gal. 6:7-9; 1 Pet. 2:21)

8:18 Hebrews 11:24-26; 11 Corinthians 4:17

"The glory" - glorified (verse 17,30; 1 Jn. 3:2; Pro. 14:24; 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:5-14; Gal. 6:7; Phil. 3:8; 1 Pet. 1:7)

8:19 "Creature" - man and animal

"Manifestation" - (Rom. 8:29; 1 Jn. 3:1,2)

8:20 "The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly" - you didn't choose the body you live in and the plants and animals certainly did not choose to live under the curse they are subject to.

The "same" are now Subjected to "the hope".

8:21,22 (Isa. 11; Ps. 67:5,6; 1 Cor. 15:42,50)

8:23 (Verse 15; Rom. 9:4)

"The firstfruits" - (1 Cor. 15:20,23)

"The adoption" - see notes on (verse 15)

"The redemption of our body" - (Rom. 7:24; 1 Cor. 15:51-55)

"To wit" - This

8:24 (2 Cor. 5:2; Col. 1:27; Heb. 11:30; 1 Jn. 3:3; 1 Thess. 1:10; Heb. 11:1-3)

8:26 There are many times when we as Christians are not sure to what end we should pray. A person hangs between life and death, how do we pray? God will supply all our need, sometimes we don't even know what we need! God does.

"The Spirit itself" - impersonal pronoun, see (verse 16).

"Intercession" - (Rom. 8:34; :Jn. 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5)

8:27 "According to the will of God" - (Acts 18:21; 21:14; Rom. 12:2; 15:32; 1 Cor. 4:19; Col. 4:12)

8:28 (Gen. 50:20; Phil. 3:14; Eph. 4:1; Ja. 1:19; Ezra 8:22; Jud. 14:4; 2 Cor. 12:9; Isa. 55:8,9; Eph. 1:11)

Some of the "things" of this verse are found in verse 25.

"And it came ... to pass." Everything comes upon us only to pass by us.

8:29 Here in verse 29 is God's purpose for us concerning I our conduct. We are to be conformed to the image of God's son. This is God's will for our life ... that we might be like Jesus!!! This is our unavoidable eternal destiny. (Phil. 3:21)

"Foreknow" - (Ex. 3:19; Acts 2:23; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 11:2)

"Predestinate" - (Eph. 1:5,11). The scriptures do not teach that we are or anyone is predestinated to go to Heaven or Hell. The only three scriptures that touch on the subject teach that we are predestined to three things:

[1]. To be conformed to the image, Jesus Christ, (text)
[2]. To the adoption of children (Eph. 1:5)
[3]. To fulfill God's purpose..."that we should be to the praise of his glory'' (Eph. 1:12).

"Conformed" - (Rom. 12:1,2; 1 Pet. 1:14)

"Image" - (2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 1:3; Col.; 1 Cor. 15:49)

"The firstborn" - (Colossians 1:15,18)

8:30 "Called" - (verse 28), "called according to his purpose." (Rom. 11:29; Eph. 4:4; Phil. 3:14; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Pet. 1:10.; Acts 16:10; Eph. 4:1 - vocation. Rom. 1:1,6,7; 1 Cor. 1:1,24,26; 2 Thess. 2:14)

"justified" - (Rom. 5:1; 3:20,28; 4:2) (See notes on justification at these scriptural addresses)

"Glorified" - (Phil. 3:21; Rom. 8:29; 8:18; 1 Jn. 3:1,2)

8:31 "...who can be against us?" - the world, the flesh and the Devil. (Acts 5:29; 1 Sam. 15:24)

"For us all" - (1 Tim. 2:4-6)

8:33 God's elect:

[1]. Israel - (Isa. 45:4; Matt. 24:31)
[2]. Jesus - (1 Pet. 2:6; Isa. 42:1)
[3]. The Church - (Col. 3:12; Tit. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:4)

Election is always found in a temporal setting and is always conditioned on foreknowledge (1 Pet. 1:2). It is never unconditional. (Eph. 1:4,5) We are chosen in, Christ ... not to get into Christ.

8:34 (Isa. 50:9)

"Maketh intercession for us" - (1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:26; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 53:12)

8:35 (Verses 35-39) are some of the greatest verses in the Bible on Eternal Security. Here are some reasons we are secure in Christ:

[1]. Election - anyone in Christ is as sure as home.
[2]. The union of the believer with Christ, if you went to Hell "part" of Christ would have to go too.
[3]. Eternal life is an irrevocable free gift.
[4]. The intercession of Christ - He's praying for you.
[5]. You are kept by the power of God.
[6]. Your security is based on the righteousness of Christ. It is his salvation.
[7]. God's eternal purpose is to gather all things in Christ. God's purpose is to show the glory of Christ in us for all eternity ... WOW!!! "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ."

8:36 Quote from (Ps. 44:22), note in the Psalm the tribulation context for the Jew ... Paul applies it to the Christian.

8:37 "More than conquerors through him" - (2 Cor. 4:7)

8:38-39 "Nor things to come" - anything in our future. (Phil. 1:6)