In Romans chapter 8 the apostle Paul talks about freedom from the sin within. This verse by verse commentary of Romans chapter 8 is being presented at Fellowship Bible Church, 2827 CR 220 Middleburg FL Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 AM
3. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 3
When we see the word, “therefore,” we
naturally assume a situation, question, or
event has been stated earlier.
What situation, question, or event occurred
for Paul to say “therefore” in Romans 8:1a?
Refer back to Romans 7: 24-25.
Paul calls himself a wretched man, and askes the
rhetorical question who will deliver me.
Paul answers this question in the next verse.
Through our “Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul separates his being into two personalities of the
mind or spirit, who serves God’s law, and the physical
body, which serves the law of sin, or remains subject
to carnality.
QUESTIONS and DISCUSSION
4. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 4
Paul then goes on to say “NOW no condemnation,”
by implication he is saying before there was
condemnation, and you are delivered from that
condemnation (see also Gal 3:13).
Through Jesus, those who walk according to the
Spirit, are freed from the bindings of letter of the Law
(Rom 7:6).
5. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 5
Reference Romans 8:2.
Science has shown that it is the male who
transfers the Adamic sin to the offspring.
As Jesus’ Father was the Father personage of
God, there was no sin transference.
Therefore Jesus was born of woman, sinless.
Scripture shows Jesus remained sinless fulfilling
both the Law and prophecies.
Jesus, who appeared to Paul in Spirit, set Paul
free from the confines of the Law.
Although Jesus became flesh, He always is God,
the second personage in the Godhead.
Jesus, being both God and man
took sin upon Himself. Jesus is
the only perfect sacrifice
acceptable to God. Jesus was
crucified to free us from the law
of sin.
6. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 6
What is the law of the Spirit?
The word law, in this context, is in Greek "nomos"
– which means "to divide out, distribute, primarily
meant "that which is assigned"; … as opposed to
ethos meaning "custom," was retained for unwritten
"law, …(Vine's Expository Dictionary)
The word Spirit is capitalized signifying the Holy
Spirit as a deity.
The Holy Spirit was sent to the disciples to teach
them and to impart power to them. "the intention of
the gift of the Spirit is to constrain the believer to a life
in which the natural tendencies shall have no place,
and to produce in him their direct contraries" (Vine's
Expository Dictionary).
Because the Holy Spirit is the third personage of
God, all that He instructed is "nomos" –Law (John
14:26).
To this end (Jamieson, Faucette & Brown write
"… an inward principle of action, operating with
the fixedness and regularity of a law," it thus
appears that "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus" here means, "that new principle of action
which the Spirit of Christ has opened up within us--
the law of our new being."
7. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 7
Refer to Romans 8: 3-5
The Law (as written in the Pentateuch) was
weak, in that it could not keep us from acting
upon our carnal lusts.
This is what Paul meant when he said “weak
through the flesh”
Jesus, the fulfillment of the Law, became flesh to
condemn sin in the flesh (Holman Bible Staff, Blum, Edwin & Howard,
Jeremy Royal, 2010).
“The meaning is, that whereas the law was
powerless to secure its own fulfilment for the reason
given, God took the method now to be described for
attaining that end” (Jamieson, faucette, & Brown, 1871).
In verse five, Paul speaks of the old (those
who lived by the flesh) and the New (those
who lived by the Spirit).
There are two wills in each Christian.
The will of the flesh passed down from Adam.
The will of the Spirit sent to us by Jesus, who was
made in the “likeness of sinful flesh (human form)
8. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 8
The will of the flesh also called the law of
carnality, is in opposition to the Law of the
Spirit.
The law of the flesh calls for those things pleasing
to the flesh.
The Law of the Spirit is to please God.
When the will of the flesh is allowed to supersede
the will of God, the result can only be death. (Ref to
Verse six)
Therefore man cannot serve the flesh and God, for
as it is written: "No one can serve two masters; for
either he will hate the one and love the other, or else
he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and mammon (Mat 6:24 NKJV).
This is not to say that God does not want us to enjoy
His creation; He does want us to remember who
created it.
To summarize: When our pursuit is to please
God first and foremost, then our own
pleasures must take a back seat.
9. Scripture Reading
Romans 8: 9 - 11
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 9
Does the Holy Spirit dwell within the believer?
10. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 10
In verse eight, Paul declares:
Those who are in Christ, are indwelled with the
Holy Spirit.
Therefore those in Christ are no longer living in the
fleshly desires of man, but by the Spiritual guidance of
God.
This verse calls for the believer to look within, for the
Holy Spirit. (See also 1Cor 3:16)
The Holy Spirit, is spirit, and cannot be seen;
however, He speaks to the believers spirit .
The work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is known in
the believer, and to others.
Paul adds the qualifier “now if” saying that if the
Spirit cannot be found within then they do not belong
to Jesus.
For those who are indwelled with the Holy Spirit
they have eternal spiritual life.
For those who do not have the Spirit do not have
Christ and therefore suffer both the death of the
flesh and also the spirit.
As Christ was raised from the dead we who
are in Christ will be raised corporeal on the
day of the Lord.
11. Scripture Reading
Romans 8:12 - 17
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 11
To be dead in the body but alive in Christ
12. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 12
A debtor is a person who is obligated to
another.
This obligation usually concerns money, but can
be anything of value.
Those who are not in Christ but chose instead the
fleshly things of life are debtors to the flesh.
Therefore if you choose to live in the world in
obedience to the desires of the flesh you will die in
body and soul (verse 13).
For those who have turned away from mortal
desires and instead turned to spiritual or heavenly
aspirations, although their mortal body may die their
spirit will continue on.
In the context of verse 14 what does it
mean to be led by the Spirit.
Many people mistakenly state they have led
someone to the Lord.
It is the Holy Spirit that touches the heart of man and
prepares them to receive the gospel.
13. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 13
Therefore if the Spirit leads, then what is
our part in the evangelism process?
Our part is to tell people, who the Spirit has
prepared, of the gospel (Mar 16:15 NKJV)
How is it that we can be called sons of God?
Once we accept God’s gift of redemption, we are
made anew baptized in the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit bears witness to our adoptive status
as the son of God. (ref verse 16)
We, therefore, are no longer under the yolk of sin and
can call out to our heavenly Father “Abba, Father”. (see
also Gal 4:6)
What does it mean to be an adoptive child of
God?
Jesus was in the blood line of God, while humans
are in the blood line of Adam.
14. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 14
Adoption in Greek huiothesia.
The Greek noun huiothesia literally means a son
placing and comes from huios (son) and tithemi (to
place).
The term refers to the legal act whereby a child is
accepted into a family on an equal basis—including
the same rights of inheritance—with any physical
offspring of the parents.
Although huiothesia was quite common in Greek
literature and adoption was widely practiced in the
Greco-Roman world, only Paul used huiothesia in the
NT, and then only five times.
Paul explained that to Israel belonged "the
adoption" (Rom 9:4), which probably refers to the
fact that God called Israel His son on occasion.
In the other four passages where Paul used
huiothesia, the term refers to those who by faith in
Christ have been accepted into God's family (Rom
8:15; Gal 4:5), which was His plan before creation
(Eph 1:5). Believers do not receive their full
inheritance as sons of God until final salvation, "the
redemption of our bodies" at the resurrection (Rm
8:23). [Holman Bible Staff, The HCSB Translation Team, Howard, Jeremy Royal &
Blum, Edwin (2010)
15. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 15
What does it mean to us, today’s Christian.
God chose (adopted) Abram and his descendants
into His family, which was His plan before the earth
was formed.
The Holy Spirit has marked the Christian as being
accepted into the family of God (Eph 1:13,14). (Ref
verses 14 - 16)
Each Christian is predestined (known by God) to
become adopted children of God.
As adopted children of God the Christian has the
right of inheritance; what then is our inheritance?
Believers, inasmuch as they share in the new order
of things to be ushered in at the return of Christ, Gal
3:29; 4:7; Tts 3:7 (G2818).
As children of God we are joint heirs with Jesus in
eternal life with Jesus.
16. Scripture Reading
Romans 8: 18 - 25
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 16
From suffering to glory
17. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 17
Do Christians suffer for Christ sake today?
Figure 1
19. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 19
Discrimination in America by the numbers:
Figure 3
20. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 20
As you can see by the pictorial graphs shown
(figures 1,2,3).
Persecution of organized religion is worldwide,
with the Christian religion receiving more than their
fair share.
Timothy writes: “Yes, and all who desire to live
godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim
3:12).
The discrimination felt in America is minute,
compared to the discrimination suffered in other
countries (see figure 1).
Very few have suffered for the name of Jesus as did
His apostles, with all but John put to death for
preaching the gospel.
The apostle Paul was beaten and imprisoned (Acts
16:22 & 2Cor 11:23).
Paul was eventually put to death at the hands of Nero.
In verse 18 Paul contends that the glory revealed
in his life cannot be compared to the eternal glory of
the promised kingdom. (See also 2 Tim 2:10)
Jesus has told all who call themselves by His
name they will be hated (Mat 10:22).
21. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 21
Reference verse 19 & 20. Because of the
sin of one man, the world was cursed (Gen
3:17-19).
Creation itself was unwillingly dragged into
condemnation.
The word “but” is used (V 20) to give the solution
to creations cursed dilemma.
Through the redemption bought by one man
(Jesus), the children of God are restored to
God as His adoptive children.
Until Christ comes again the world will not be
restored to its intended state.
Creations restoration occurs when Satan and his
minions are cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:10).
Evil and death will no longer exist and the
children of God will be liberated from the yolk of a
cursed world.
Creation will then be restored to its uncorrupted
state (Rev 21:1cf).
22. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 22
All of creation eagerly awaits the
deliverance from the bondage of the curse
(VV 22,23).
The word groan in Greek is stenazō which simply
translated means to grieve.
“Christians have only the firstfruits—the pledge of
more to come in our salvation. We groan because of
our fallen nature. Our new resurrection bodies will
conform us to Jesus' glorified body” (The HCSB Translation
Team, Holman Bible Staff, Blum, Edwin & Howard, Jeremy Royal 2010).
Paul describes this period of waiting as a woman
giving birth.
The pains of child birth, begin slowly with waves of
pain, increasing in strength and with greater frequency
until the time of birth.
This is a picture of the state of the world and
mankind which marks Jesus’ return.
When Paul speaks of hope in verse 24 he is telling
us that as children of God, we have a secure future
in Jesus.
As children of God, we are assured of our salvation,
which will be realized at the bema seat of Christ.
We anticipate with great joy, the realization of
that which the Holy Spirit now assures us.
23. Scripture Reading
Romans 8: 26 - 27
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 23
What is the role Holy Spirit in prayer?
24. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 24
Have you ever found yourself wanting to
pray about someone or something and just
could not find the right words?
To that question, Holman writes the following
referencing verses Romans 8: 26-27:
“In our weakness we have the help of the Spirit.
Jesus is our intercessor in heaven (Heb 7:25), and the
Spirit is our intercessor on earth within our hearts. We
are limited and ignorant, but the Spirit uses unspoken
groanings to communicate our needs. This is not
‘speaking in tongues or languages’ (Gk glossolalia).”
According to Jamieson, Faucette & Brown writes
the following concerning a reason for being at a loss
for the right words:
“This arises partly from the dimness of our spiritual
vision in the present veiled state, while we have to
"walk by faith, not by sight" feelings which spring from
the fleeting objects of sense that there is in the very
best views and affections of our renewed nature;
partly also from the necessary imperfection of all
human language as a vehicle for expressing the subtle
spiritual feelings of the heart.”
25. Scripture Reading
Romans 8: 28 - 30
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 25
Who are those who love God?
26. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 26
Those who are called are Christians.
God knows who will choose Jesus and who will
deny Him.
Those who choose Jesus, become sons of God.
As with all children instruction and correction is
needed for growth.
As children, we too need instruction to grow.
Therefore God leads and teaches through his word
and His Holy Spirit (2Tim 3:16).
Correction (reproof) is often seen as negative,
However, this too is part of the learning
experience.
Therefore Paul says all things work together for good
for those He calls.
As humans, we make mistakes. However, God
uses these mistakes to teach us.
27. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 27
God, not bound by time, knows all things,
our past, present and future as being now.
Therefore, God knows who will by their free will,
choose Jesus, and thereby conforming to God as
being part of His plan.
Because of our free will, known before the world
was formed, we were also predestined to Gods plan.
Homes analyses verses 29 and 30 this way:
“Those He foreknew refers to those whom God
set His electing love upon in eternity past.
Predestined means that God planned from eternity
that "those [whom] He foreknew" would become
like Christ through spiritual rebirth.” (The HCSB
Translation Team, Holman Bible Staff, Blum, Edwin & Howard, Jeremy Royal
(2010).)
28. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 28
What does Paul mean to conform to the
image of His Son?
We know from Scripture that God is three
personages in one being, and He created man in His
image according to His likeness.
Image is translated from the Hebrew word tselem
(H6754) meaning “resemblance; hence, a
representative figure” (physical resemblance of God -
Jesus), and having also a soul and spirit.
However, in verse 30 Paul is referring to the
relationship of the Son to the Father.
Jesus had a close intimate relationship with the
Father while in human form.
It is this type of relationship Paul is talking about
for the Christian.
God calls a person to have a relationship with
Him.
Those God calls are given to Jesus who through His
blood has justified them in the eyes of God.
As a justified souls we who are adopted into the
family of God will share also in the glory.
29. Scripture Reading
Romans 8: 31 - 36
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 29
For God so loved the world …
30. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 30
What “things” is Paul referring to in V31?
The things are listed in verse 30:
Predestined
Called
Justified
Glorified
In verse 32 Paul using simple logic, states if God
loved us enough to sacrifice His only Son for us; how
much more will He be willing to give to those who
love Him. See also John 14:13 NKJV.
By “all things” Paul means those things that are
necessary and good for us to have (Mat 7:7-11 NKJV).
God will give what each person can manage
according to their needs and abilities.
The parable lesson of the talents‘ is a good
example (Mat 25:14 – 30NKJV).
Who were those who Paul called accusers
V33?
All the Judaizes who mocked Paul and called him
a traitor to Judaism and other vile names.
Christians today face accusers as well.
31. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 31
Paul asks an important question in verse 34;
Who condemns us?
Satan stands before the throne of God
condemning the human race and especially those
who profess Jesus as the Christ.
To intercede which in Hebrew is entygchanō
(pronounced, en-tün-khä'-nō) a verb meaning to speak
in defense for another.
Jesus is our savior
He is our high priest (Heb 4:14, 5:9 & 10 NKJV)
who presents Himself as our sacrifice, declaring to
the Father that we who are called are His, chosen
before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4 KJV).
32. Scripture Reading
Romans 8: 37-39
7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 32
Is there anything that can separate us from God?
33. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 33
We are victorious in Christ Jesus because
He was victorious over the author of death –
Satan.
Therefore, through Jesus we to are conquers not
through our strength but rather by the strength of
Jesus.
Holman comments:
“8:38-39 Paul's "grand persuasion" (Gk pepeismai)
is in the perfect tense, which indicates a past action
that has ongoing impact. Having been persuaded (by
God), he stood firm in the belief that nothing could
separate him from the love of God. Jesus conquered
death and Satan on the cross, ensuring that nothing
can change God's love or purpose for us. We "are
being protected by God's power through faith for a
salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last
time" (1Pe 1:5).
34. 7/26/2019 Produced by Bill Fritz for Adult Sunday School 34
"G3551 - nomos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (KJV)." Blue Letter
Bible. Accessed 9 Jul, 2019.
https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Stro
ngs=G3551&t=KJV
"G2818 - klēronomos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NKJV)." Blue
Letter Bible. Accessed 10 Jul, 2019.
https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Stro
ngs=G2818&t=NKJV
"H6754 - tselem - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NKJV)." Blue
Letter Bible. Accessed 11 Jul, 2019.
https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Stro
ngs=H6754&t=NKJV