Part 749 (1/2)

8:3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, G.o.d, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh.

8:4. That the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.

8:5. For they that are according to the flesh mind the things that are of the flesh: but they that are according to the spirit mind the things that are of the spirit.

8:6. For the wisdom of the flesh is death: but the wisdom of the spirit is life and peace.

8:7. Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to G.o.d. For it is not subject to the law of G.o.d: neither can it be.

8:8. And they who are in the flesh cannot please G.o.d.

8:9. But you are not in the flesh, but the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of G.o.d dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

8:10. And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead, because of sin: but the spirit liveth, because of justification.

8:11. And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you; he that raised up Jesus Christ, from the dead shall quicken also your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

8:12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh.

8:13. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.

8:14. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of G.o.d, they are the sons of G.o.d.

8:15. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear: but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father).

8:16. For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of G.o.d.

The Spirit himself, etc... By the inward motions of divine love, and the peace of conscience, which the children of G.o.d experience, they have a kind of testimony of G.o.d's favour; by which they are much strengthened in their hope of their justification and salvation; but yet not so as to pretend to an absolute a.s.surance: which is not usually granted in this mortal life: during which we are taught to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2.12. And that he that thinketh himself to stand, must take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10.12. See also, Rom. 11.20, 21, 22.

8:17. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of G.o.d and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.

8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.

8:19. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of G.o.d.

The expectation of the creature, etc... He speaks of the corporeal creation, made for the use and service of man; and, by occasion of his sin, made subject to vanity, that is, to a perpetual instability, tending to corruption and other defects; so that by a figure of speech it is here said to groan and be in labour, and to long for its deliverance, which is then to come, when sin shall reign no more; and G.o.d shall raise the bodies and unite them to their souls never more to separate, and to be in everlasting happiness in heaven.

8:20. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope.

8:21. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of G.o.d.

8:22. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now.

8:23. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of G.o.d, the redemption of our body.

8:24. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?

8:25. But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience.

8:26. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For, we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings,