Romans 8:5-17 - Outline and Summary

 

Brief Summary:

The Holy Spirit has delivered us from the control of the sinful nature with its evil desires which ultimately lead to death. Instead we are controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit and have an obligation and desire to do those things that are pleasing to God, things which lead to life and peace.

(Romans 8:5-17)

 

Detailed Summary:

•        Having characterized those in Christ as those who “do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4), Paul now elaborates on the contrast between our old life in the flesh, and our new life in the Spirit.

 

•        In the Spirit we have a new mindset - instead of going our own way and only pleasing ourselves, we now have our minds set on doing what God wants.

–      Romans 8:5 - Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

 

•        In the Spirit, our life leads to a new outcome. Instead of sin resulting in condemnation and death, the Spirit gives life and peace with God.

–      Romans 8: 6 - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

 

•        In the Spirit we are controlled by a new power. When our minds were controlled by the sinful nature, we hostile to God, disobedient to God, and therefore unable to please Him. Now that we belong to Christ we are controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

–      Romans 8: 7-9 - The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

 

•        In the Spirit, we have a new hope - the future resurrection of our physical bodies. Our current physical body is subject to death because of the effects of sin. But our new body will be immortal.

–      Romans 8:10-11 - But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

 

•        In the Spirit we have a new obligation. Where we used to live according to the dictates of the sinful nature leading to death, we are now empowered by the indwelling Spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the body.

–      Romans 8:12-13 - Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

 

•        In the Spirit we have a new relationship with God. Where we were once slaves to fear, we are now sons - children of God. As a result:

–       We can cry out to God with affection: “Abba, Father”

–       The Spirit gives us internal assurance that we belong to God

–       We are assured of sharing in Christ’s inheritance

–      Romans 8:14-17 -  because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.