1 There is therefore G686 now G3568 no G3762 condemnation G2631 to them which are in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus, G2424 who walk G4043 not G3361 after G2596 the flesh, G4561 but G235 after G2596 the Spirit. G4151
2 For G1063 the law G3551 of the Spirit G4151 of life G2222 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 hath made G1659 me G3165 free G1659 from G575 the law G3551 of sin G266 and G2532 death. G2288
3 For G1063 what the law G3551 could not do, G102 in G1722 that G3739 it was weak G770 through G1223 the flesh, G4561 God G2316 sending G3992 his own G1438 Son G5207 in G1722 the likeness G3667 of sinful G266 flesh, G4561 and G2532 for G4012 sin, G266 condemned G2632 sin G266 in G1722 the flesh: G4561
4 That G2443 the righteousness G1345 of the law G3551 might be fulfilled G4137 in G1722 us, G2254 who walk G4043 not G3361 after G2596 the flesh, G4561 but G235 after G2596 the Spirit. G4151
5 For G1063 they that are G5607 after G2596 the flesh G4561 do mind G5426 the things G3588 of the flesh; G4561 but G1161 they that are after G2596 the Spirit G4151 the things G3588 of the Spirit. G4151
6 For G1063 to be G5427 carnally G4561 minded G5427 is death; G2288 but G1161 to be G5427 spiritually G4151 minded G5427 is life G2222 and G2532 peace. G1515
7 Because G1360 the carnal G4561 mind G5427 is enmity G2189 against G1519 God: G2316 for G1063 it is G5293 not G3756 subject G5293 to the law G3551 of God, G2316 neither G3761 indeed G1063 can be. G1410
8 So then G1161 they that are G5607 in G1722 the flesh G4561 cannot G3756 G1410 please G700 God. G2316
9 But G1161 ye G5210 are G2075 not G3756 in G1722 the flesh, G4561 but G235 in G1722 the Spirit, G4151 if so be G1512 that the Spirit G4151 of God G2316 dwell G3611 in G1722 you. G5213 Now G1161 if any man G1536 have G2192 not G3756 the Spirit G4151 of Christ, G5547 he G3778 is G2076 none G3756 of his. G846
10 And G1161 if G1487 Christ G5547 be in G1722 you, G5213 the body G4983 G3303 is dead G3498 because G1223 of sin; G266 but G1161 the Spirit G4151 is life G2222 because G1223 of righteousness. G1343
11 But G1161 if G1487 the Spirit G4151 of him that raised up G1453 Jesus G2424 from G1537 the dead G3498 dwell G3611 in G1722 you, G5213 he that raised up G1453 Christ G5547 from G1537 the dead G3498 shall G2227 also G2532 quicken G2227 your G5216 mortal G2349 bodies G4983 by G1223 his G846 Spirit G4151 that dwelleth G1774 G1774 in G1722 you. G5213
12 Therefore, G686 G3767 brethren, G80 we are G2070 debtors, G3781 not G3756 to the flesh, G4561 to live G2198 after G2596 the flesh. G4561
13 For G1063 if G1487 ye live G2198 after G2596 the flesh, G4561 ye shall G3195 die: G599 but G1161 if G1487 ye G2289 through the Spirit G4151 do mortify G2289 the deeds G4234 of the body, G4983 ye shall live. G2198
14 For G1063 as many as G3745 are led G71 by the Spirit G4151 of God, G2316 they G3778 are G1526 the sons G5207 of God. G2316
15 For G1063 ye have G2983 not G3756 received G2983 the spirit G4151 of bondage G1397 again G3825 to G1519 fear; G5401 but G235 ye have received G2983 the Spirit G4151 of adoption, G5206 whereby G1722 G3739 we cry, G2896 Abba, G5 Father. G3962
16 The Spirit G4151 itself G846 beareth witness G4828 with our G2257 spirit, G4151 that G3754 we are G2070 the children G5043 of God: G2316
17 And G1161 if G1487 children, G5043 then G2532 heirs; G2818 heirs G2818 of God, G3303 G2316 and G1161 joint-heirs G4789 with Christ; G5547 if so be G1512 that we suffer with G4841 him, that G2443 we may be G4888 also G2532 glorified together. G4888
18 For G1063 I reckon G3049 that G3754 the sufferings G3804 of this present G3568 time G2540 are not G3756 worthy G514 to be compared with G4314 the glory G1391 which shall G3195 be revealed G601 in G1519 us. G2248
19 For G1063 the earnest expectation G603 of the creature G2937 waiteth G553 for the manifestation G602 of the sons G5207 of God. G2316
20 For G1063 the creature G2937 was made subject G5293 to vanity, G3153 not G3756 willingly, G1635 but G235 by reason G1223 of him who hath subjected G5293 the same in G1909 hope, G1680
21 Because G3754 the creature G2937 itself G846 also G2532 shall be delivered G1659 from G575 the bondage G1397 of corruption G5356 into G1519 the glorious G1391 liberty G1657 of the children G5043 of God. G2316
22 For G1063 we know G1492 that G3754 the whole G3956 creation G2937 groaneth G4959 and G2532 travaileth in pain together G4944 until G891 now. G3568
23 And G1161 not G3756 only G3440 they, but G235 ourselves G846 also, G2532 which have G2192 the firstfruits G536 of the Spirit, G4151 even G2532 we G2249 ourselves G846 groan G4727 within G1722 ourselves, G1438 waiting G553 for the adoption, G5206 to wit, the redemption G629 of our G2257 body. G4983
24 For G1063 we are saved G4982 by hope: G1680 but G1161 hope G1680 that is seen G991 is G2076 not G3756 hope: G1680 for G1063 what G3739 a man G5100 seeth, G991 why G5101 doth he G1679 yet G2532 hope for? G1679
25 But G1161 if G1487 we hope G1679 for that G3739 we see G991 not, G3756 then do we G553 with G1223 patience G5281 wait for G553 it.
26 G1161 Likewise G5615 the Spirit G4151 also G2532 helpeth G4878 our G2257 infirmities: G769 for G1063 we know G1492 not G3756 what G5101 we should pray for G4336 as G2526 we ought: G1163 but G235 the Spirit G4151 itself G846 maketh intercession G5241 for G5228 us G2257 with groanings G4726 which cannot be uttered. G215
27 And G1161 he that searcheth G2045 the hearts G2588 knoweth G1492 what G5101 is the mind G5427 of the Spirit, G4151 because G3754 he maketh intercession G1793 for G5228 the saints G40 according G2596 to the will of God. G2316
28 And G1161 we know G1492 that all things G3956 work together G4903 for G1519 good G18 to them that G3754 love G25 God, G2316 to them who are G5607 the called G2822 according G2596 to his purpose. G4286
29 For G3754 whom G3739 he did foreknow, G4267 he G4309 also G2532 did predestinate G4309 to be conformed G4832 to the image G1504 of his G846 Son, G5207 that G1519 he G846 might be G1511 the firstborn G4416 among G1722 many G4183 brethren. G80
30 Moreover G1161 whom G3739 he did predestinate, G4309 them G5128 he G2564 also G2532 called: G2564 and G2532 whom G3739 he called, G2564 them G5128 he G1344 also G2532 justified: G1344 and G1161 whom G3739 he justified, G1344 them G5128 he G1392 also G2532 glorified. G1392
31 What G5101 shall we G2046 then G3767 say G2046 to G4314 these things? G5023 If G1487 God G2316 be for G5228 us, G2257 who G5101 can be against G2596 us? G2257
32 He that G3739 G1065 spared G5339 not G3756 his own G2398 Son, G5207 but G235 delivered G3860 him G846 up G3860 for G5228 us G2257 all, G3956 how G4459 shall he G5483 not G3780 with G4862 him G846 also G2532 freely give G5483 us G2254 all things? G3956
33 Who G5101 shall lay any thing G1458 to the charge G2596 of God's G2316 elect? G1588 It is God G2316 that justifieth. G1344
34 Who G5101 is he that condemneth? G2632 It is Christ G5547 that died, G599 yea G1161 rather, G3123 G2532 that is risen again, G1453 who G3739 is G2076 even G2532 at G1722 the right hand G1188 of God, G2316 who G3739 also G2532 maketh intercession G1793 for G5228 us. G2257
35 Who G5101 shall separate G5563 us G2248 from G575 the love G26 of Christ? G5547 shall tribulation, G2347 or G2228 distress, G4730 or G2228 persecution, G1375 or G2228 famine, G3042 or G2228 nakedness, G1132 or G2228 peril, G2794 or G2228 sword? G3162
36 As G2531 it is written, G1125 G3754 For thy G4675 sake G1752 we are killed G2289 all G3650 the day long; G2250 we are accounted G3049 as G5613 sheep G4263 for the slaughter. G4967
37 Nay, G235 in G1722 all G3956 these things G5125 we are more than conquerors G5245 through G1223 him that loved G25 us. G2248
38 For G1063 I am persuaded, G3982 that G3754 neither G3777 death, G2288 nor G3777 life, G2222 nor G3777 angels, G32 nor G3777 principalities, G746 nor G3777 powers, G1411 nor G3777 things present, G1764 nor G3777 things to come, G3195
39 Nor G3777 height, G5313 nor G3777 depth, G899 nor G3777 any G5100 other G2087 creature, G2937 shall be able G1410 to separate G5563 us G2248 from G575 the love G26 of God, G2316 which is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 our G2257 Lord. G2962
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Romans 8
Commentary on Romans 8 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 8
The apostle, having fully explained the doctrine of justification, and pressed the necessity of sanctification, in this chapter applies himself to the consolation of the Lord's people. Ministers are helpers of the joy of the saints. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,' so runs our commission, Isa. 40:1. It is the will of God that his people should be a comforted people. And we have here such a draught of the gospel charter, such a display of the unspeakable privileges of true believers, as may furnish us with abundant matter for joy and peace in believing, that by all these immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation. Many of the people of God have, accordingly, found this chapter a well-spring of comfort to their souls, living and dying, and have sucked and been satisfied from these breasts of consolation, and with joy drawn water out of these wells of salvation. There are three things in this chapter:
Rom 8:1-9
Rom 8:10-16
In these verses the apostle represents two more excellent benefits, which belong to true believers.
Rom 8:17-25
In these words the apostle describes a fourth illustrious branch of the happiness of believers, namely, a title to the future glory. This is fitly annexed to our sonship; for as the adoption of sons entitles us to that glory, so the disposition of sons fits and prepares us for it. If children, then heirs, v. 17. In earthly inheritances this rule does not hold, only the first-born are heirs; but the church is a church of first-born, for they are all heirs. Heaven is an inheritance that all the saints are heirs to. They do not come to it as purchasers by any merit or procurement of their own; but as heirs, purely by the act of God; for God makes heirs. The saints are heirs though in this world they are heirs under age; see Gal. 4:1, 2. Their present state is a state of education and preparation for the inheritance. How comfortable should this be to all the children of God, how little soever they have in possession, that, being heirs, they have enough in reversion! But the honour and happiness of an heir lie in the value and worth of that which he is heir to: we read of those that inherit the wind; and therefore we have here an abstract of the premises.
Rom 8:26-28
The apostle here suggests two privileges more to which true Christians are entitled:-
Rom 8:29-30
The apostle, having reckoned up so many ingredients of the happiness of true believers, comes here to represent the ground of them all, which he lays in predestination. These precious privileges are conveyed to us by the charter of the covenant, but they are founded in the counsel of God, which infallibly secures the event. That Jesus Christ, the purchaser, might not labour in vain, nor spend his strength and life for nought and in vain, there is a remnant given him, a seed that he shall see, so that the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands. For the explication of this he here sets before us the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, which cannot be broken. There are four links of it:-
Rom 8:31-39
The apostle closes this excellent discourse upon the privileges of believers with a holy triumph, in the name of all the saints. Having largely set forth the mystery of God's love to us in Christ, and the exceedingly great and precious privileges we enjoy by him, he concludes like an orator: What shall we then say to these things? What use shall we make of all that has been said? He speaks as one amazed and swallowed up with the contemplation and admiration of it, wondering at the height and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. The more we know of other things the less we wonder at them; but the further we are led into an acquaintance with gospel mysteries the more we are affected with the admiration of them. If Paul was at a loss what to say to these things, no marvel if we be. And what does he say? Why, if ever Paul rode in a triumphant chariot on this side of heaven, here it was: with such a holy height and bravery of spirit, with such a fluency and copiousness of expression, does he here comfort himself and all the people of God, upon the consideration of these privileges. In general, he here makes a challenge, throws down the gauntlet, as it were, dares all the enemies of the saints to do their worst: If God be for us, who can be against us? The ground of the challenge is God's being for us; in this he sums up all our privileges. This includes all, that God is for us; not only reconciled to us, and so not against us, but in covenant with us, and so engaged for us-all his attributes for us, his promises for us. All that he is, and has, and does, is for his people. He performs all things for them. He is for them, even when he seems to act against them. And, if so, who can be against us, so as to prevail against us, so as to hinder our happiness? Be they ever so great and strong, ever so many, ever so might, ever so malicious, what can they do? While God is for us, and we keep in his love, we may with a holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness. Let Satan do his worst, he is chained; let the world do its worst, it is conquered: principalities and powers are spoiled and disarmed, and triumphed over, in the cross of Christ. Who then dares fight against us, while God himself is fighting for us? And this we say to these things, this is the inference we draw from these premises. More particularly.
Mr. Hugh Kennedy, an eminent Christian of Ayr, in Scotland, when he was dying, called for a Bible; but, finding his sight gone, he said, "Turn me to the eighty of the Romans, and set my finger at these words, I am persuaded that neither death nor life,' etc. "Now,' said he, "is my finger upon them?' And, when they told him it was, without speaking any more, he said, "Now, God be with you, my children; I have breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this night;' and so departed.