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Romans 8:5-13
In chapter 8, Paul has started to explain the believers sanctification - how he is being made holy, as God is
holy. Sanctification takes place while the believer is still in his flesh body a body of death, as Paul calls
it, for it has not yet been redeemed from death.
Through the work of Christ on the cross, God judged and condemned the Master Sin, which had absolute
reign over men in their flesh bodies. This broke the grip of the Master Sin, enabling men to be delivered
from sins power, as they enter into union with Christ, by faith.
This deliverance from the power of sin comes from a new overruling ability within the believer, which Paul
calls the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (8:2). Having placed his faith in Christ, the believer
immediately received the Life that Christ brought forth from death - eternal life for the body - spirit-life.
At that same time, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in the believers body with him, enlightening the believer
as to how to live that new Life. And as the believer by faith follows the Holy Spirits leading, he lives by
the spirit of life in Christ Jesus - and the power of sin is overruled in him, enabling him to live free from
lawlessness - to live righteously - to live a sanctified life.
Paul explains that while the believer is learning to live his new Life, he is not in any way condemned by
God, for God views the whole process as finished, in Christ.
But the Holy Spirit does not compel the believer to live his new Life. God created men with freedom of
choice. It is the choice of the believer, whether he will walk according to the spirit of life, so that
righteousness is accomplished in his life, or walk according to the flesh, and sin as he used to do, when
he was a son of Adam.
God has done His part, in sending His own Son. Christ has done His part, to deliver us from the Sin. The
Holy Spirit is doing His part, to enlighten us to that deliverance. But we also have to do our part, in order
for the lawlessness within us to be overruled. We have to work together with God, in order for
righteousness to be accomplished in our lives. Our part is to walk - according to the Holy Spirits leading,
in the spirit of life.
Paul will now continue to clarify that walking according to the spirit of life is not the only way a believer
can walk; but it is the only way that he should walk. He should choose to do so. After all its the walk of
the Living.
Well be looking at verses 5-13 today, but I want to back up in our reading to the beginning of the chapter,
to maintain Pauls continuity of thought.
[Read Romans 8:1-13]
First let me mention that punctuation and capitalization are not features of the original Greek language. It
must be added by the English translators for our sake. For instance, in this passage, the translators
capitalized every use of the word spirit, believing Paul specifically to be referring to the Holy Spirit.
But in verse 2, Paul begins by speaking of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus - eternal life that Jesus imparts to
a man, the moment he believes - spiritual life for his body. And I believe that Paul is most often referring
to that Life, in this passage - spiritual life, not the Holy Spirit. Well discuss each instance of the use of the
word spirit as we go along.

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Now, for anyone who has closely read through this passage, they might find it a bit confusing. In order to
understand what Paul is saying, we have to carefully observe the language that he uses here or well miss
his full meaning. And in this case, we have to pay attention to his choice of words, and his grammar.
First, notice in verse 4 that Paul speaks of walking according to the flesh, or walking according to the
spirit. Thats repeated in verse 5, a little differently - living according to the flesh, or living according to the
spirit.
But down in verse 8, Paul changes the preposition he is using he does not say, according to the flesh,
but what? In the flesh.
In verse 9, Paul continues with the use of this preposition we read, in the flesh, and also in the spirit.
Then finally, in verse 12 and 13, Paul returns to the phrase, according to the flesh.
So is this change of preposition significant, or is Paul just using different terms - according, or in - to
express the same thing? This change of preposition is significant so significant, in fact, that the whole
sense of the passage is obscured, unless you understand the difference.
The word in in the Greek communicates the idea of something remaining in place; the primary idea is
rest; something fixed in place.
But the word according does not imply a fixed position, but instead motion; it refers to one thing being in
the manner or conforming to another; adapting to anothers way. The KJV translates the word as after,
suggesting the idea of following after.
In our passage here, to be in the flesh means to be in the fixed position of the flesh. These are the sons of
Adam, men in flesh bodies; unregenerate men.
We can see a good example of this back in chapter 7, verse 5, where Paul described how the Jewish
brethren used to live in the flesh their sinful passions were aroused by the law, and bore fruit to death; it
brought more judgment on them. Clearly, this is speaking of the Jews as unregenerate men; unbelievers,
who were still in Adam; in the flesh.
But here Paul is saying that those who live, or walk, according to the flesh are not fixed in Adam. These
are regenerate men believers who are living, or walking, in the manner of the flesh; they move in
conformance to that way of life; they follow after that lifestyle. They are no longer in Adam, but they are
conducting themselves as if they are; according to the flesh; living according to their old manner of life.
Do you see the difference?
Likewise, those who are in the spirit refers to the fixed position of believers. Having united themselves
to Christ by faith, they have died with Him and been buried with Him (Rm 6:3-4), and have even been
raised with Christ, from the eternal perspective (Col 3:1).
They are now in Christ; that is their fixed position. They share His Life - spiritual life for the body - and so
they are in the spirit of life - their eternal life is forever secure.

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But to live, or walk, according to the spirit refers not to the believers eternal position, but to his walk, in
this life. As he is going through life, here on earth under time. Its the motion of living and for the
believer, it can be lived, in conformance to the spirit, the spirit of life, or in conformance to the flesh; in
either manner.
Perhaps the simplest way to remember Pauls distinction here is that in refers to a persons standing with
God (eternal perspective) whereas according refers to their walk (temporal perspective - under time).
One final note. Only believers have a choice as to how they live according to the flesh, or according to
the spirit of life. Men in the flesh have no choice but to live according to the flesh; they do not have the
Holy Spirit within them, to follow - or the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, by which to live.
Lets go back to verse 5 now.
v. 5 Here Paul is explaining what he has just said in verse 4. The righteous requirement of the Law we
might simply say, the expressed will of God it is accomplished in believers specifically, in those who
walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit - the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
So Paul names two ways that the believer can walk. What does that show? That the believer has a choice.
Righteousness might be fulfilled in him (v. 4, subjunctive, suggesting possibility); and it will be fulfilled in
him, as he conducts himself in conformance to the Spirits leading, by the spirit of life, within him.
Paul now clarifies how it is that the believer has a choice, as to how he lives; how he conducts himself. The
term set their minds on is a verb; an action. It does not refer simply to the mental faculties, but to every
aspect of the inner man; his reasoning, his affections; his desires his inner life, energized by the very spirit
of his being. And we see that this action is a choice, also.
What you set your mind upon; what you consider and regard in your heart; what you care for, and concern
yourself with, is a choice; your own, personal choice; a choice that you, and only you, can make.
Sometimes we say, or we feel, I couldnt help it; but in fact, we could help it. How so? Because we
dont have to operate according to our old manner of life.
We have a new Life eternal life in Christ Jesus. We have the Holy Spirit, who is sharing the thinking of
God with us; pouring out in our hearts, the love of God; and revealing to us Gods excellent desires, for our
lives.
So if we will purpose, in the very spirit of our being, to have the Spirits thoughts occupy our mind; if we
will concern ourselves, not with the cares of this world, but what God cares about; if we will cease to
operate on the basis of our natural affections, but instead, keep ourselves in the love of God, we will live,
accordingly.
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov 23:7). If you keep choosing to set your mind on the things of the
flesh, how will you live? According to the flesh.
Youll look just like you did, when you were an unregenerate man; no one will know the difference. And if
as a Christ One you talk the talk (but dont walk the walk) you will in addition be a hypocrite. Where
is the witness for your Lord? Where is the glory for God? And where is your sanctification?

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But if you will set your mind on the things that the Spirit is revealing to you the things of Christ, of God
you will live accordingly. People will see a difference. What will they see? Freedom from sin and selfwill. Righteousness, lived out. Genuine love, in practice.
And those things are ever so drawing. Your life will draw others right to the Lord without you uttering
even a word. And as for you, you will have a sanctified walk in the spirit of life, as you follow the leading
of the Holy Spirit, who will take you on the most direct route possible, right into the presence of your Lord
in glory.
So having gone to the source of how believers choose to live how they choose to think Paul next
elaborates on the actual mind whose thinking they are choosing to have.
v. 6 Now, I have been reading this based on the translation in the Interlinear and the Revised Version.
Thats because the NKJV translates flesh and spirit as adjectives so it has carnally minded,
spiritually minded. But in the Greek, both phrases are a set of two nouns, with definite articles.
A better translation is the mind of the flesh and the mind of the Spirit, and it really clears up Pauls
meaning. Why? Because those are the two minds that the believer can base his thinking on; and they are
minds with fixed, unchangeable thinking. At any point in time, a believer can choose thinking from one or
the other of those two fixed minds.
There is the mind of the flesh. Thats the mind of the unregenerate man, who walks in the futility of his
mind, his understanding darkened for he has no Light. His heart is hardened to the love of God; but it is
utterly consumed with self-love. And his love of self is expressed through self-will; the desires of his flesh
and his mind, for himself (Eph 2:3, 4:17-18). That was your mind; your heart; before you came to know
the Lord.
Pauls point is that you can still choose to think according to that mind; and therefore, live according to it.
But what does Paul say the mind of the flesh is, here? Its death. Thats the mind of the condemned
creation in Adam the creation that is slated for destruction. And as Paul lays it out here, we have to ask
ourselves: why would I want to think like that?
But you can have a new mind on things; the mind of the Holy Spirit; His thinking. The mind of the Spirit is
life and peace. Every single thought in the Spirits mind is designed to prepare you for your forever Life
with God.
The mind of the Spirit is the mind of God. When the believer chooses to think according to the Spirits
mind, he experiences the Spirits complete agreement with God, which is peace.
The believer lives in that state of reconciliation with God that the Spirit has already obtained for him,
through His sanctification of the believer (2 Thes 2:13). Thats the eternal perspective, which the believer
can live by, here and now, through faith.
Now Paul goes on to explain why the mind of the flesh is death.
v. 7-8 In the NKJV, carnal mind is exactly the same phrase as in verse 6; its the mind of the flesh. The
mind of the flesh is enmity against God; it is in complete and direct opposition to Him. The mind of the
flesh and the mind of the Spirit are fixed, opposing minds, with no points of agreement.

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The mind of the flesh has its own will, based on its love of self. The mind of the Spirit is the will of God,
and its motive is love of others. So the mind of the flesh cannot obey the will of God; it always and only
has a will of its own, for self.
This means that unregenerate men, in the flesh, who actually have that mind the mind of the flesh can
never please God in their living; how can God be pleased with anything that is not His own good, and
acceptable, and perfect will? So those in the flesh, who have the mind of the flesh, are in a fixed state of
enmity against God, and are therefore subject to His condemnation.
But for the believer, that state is a thing of the past.
v. 9-11 In verse 9, we see Paul is continuing with his thought of ones position, from the eternal
perspective; you are either in Adam or in Christ; in the flesh, or in the spirit of life.
Those who are in the flesh do not have the Holy Spirit, so they dont know the will of God. And they dont
have the spirit of life, so they cant do the will of God.
But when you placed your faith in Christ, you received the spirit of Christ - spiritual life - eternal life for
your body. And you also received the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of God dwells in you; He is a settled resident
within you. Pauls point is, that gives you a whole new Life to live.
Notice carefully what Paul says in verse 10. If Christ is in you through the spirit of life He has given you
then for you the believer, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
It is true for all men born into this world that the body of flesh is dead because of sin. Paul had written, as
through one man, sin enter the world, and death through sin (Rom 5:12) because of sin, Adam incurred
the death penalty. All men born into this world are born of Adams corruptible seed, dead and in the dark to
God.
And even for the believer, this is still the case. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins with His death, so for us,
death is no longer a judgment for sin; but having been born of corruptible seed, our flesh bodies will still
corrupt. As Paul said, the flesh body is a body of death. This body was always meant to be temporary.
But believers have received the spirit of life - eternal life for their bodies - and the righteousness of God has
been imputed to them - all through their faith in Christ. And believers are being made righteous in their
lives through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, as they walk in the spirit of life, they have received.
Righteousness is what will fit believers to enter into the presence of their holy God. Righteousness will
result in life forever with God.
But our temporary clay bodies are not fitted for such a life. Of course, God has that covered; death was
always factored for, in His plan.
In verse 11, Paul is saying that it was God - the Father - who raised Jesus from the dead - as the glorified
Son of God. The Son was raised in glory, the Victor over sin and death.
And because we have believed into Christ, we will be permitted to share in His glorious victory. Gods
Spirit - the Holy Spirit - dwells in each believer - God, resident within us as His Spirit.

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The Holy Spirit is our guarantee from God of a glorified body - so that we will be fitted, inside and out, for
the presence of God; for life forever, with Him. And having been thus freed from the body of death, the
spirit of life in Christ Jesus will be the Life by which we will always live, in our glorified body.
Paul now concludes these thoughts.
v. 12-13 At first take, Pauls concluding statement might seem strange. Based on what he has been saying,
Paul concludes that we believers are debtors.
A debtor is bound to someone because he owes them something. So our question is, to whom are believers
in debt, and what is it that they owe?
Well, first Paul names what believers are not indebted to, and what they dont owe; a negative statement.
The believer is not indebted to the flesh, to live according to it. What Paul is saying is that we are not
under any obligation to live according to the flesh.
The believer owes the flesh nothing, because it has never benefited the believer. It was simply a temporary
dwelling place; and if the believer had remained in it, it would have brought him nothing but condemnation
and death.
To say that the believer owes nothing to the flesh may seem obvious, but Pauls point is the unstated
positive thought: the One to whom believer are in debt, and what they owe Him.
Who are believers in debt to? To God; to the One who gave them the gift of righteousness (Rm 5:17); the
gift of eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23). To the One who gave them the gift of the Holy
Spirit (Acts 2:38), who is training them in righteousness, so that they can be with God, forever.
These gifts were undeserved, and unmerited; they were gifts of grace. And we cant pay God back for
what He gave us; these are the riches of His grace how can you pay back grace without measure?
And yet, Paul says, we are debtors so what is it that we owe? We owe it to God to live the Life Christ
died to give us; to set our minds upon the things of the Spirit, and live according to the Spirit, in the spirit of
life.
Its the least we can do; but its also the most we can do. Its what we are able to do, and were bound to do
it; thats our responsibility, as a Christ One. Thats our debt of love, to Love.
Yet once again, Paul indicates it is a choice for the believer a choice with repercussions. Lets consider
what Paul is saying, in verse 13. We know that living according to the flesh is something the believer can
do; continuing to live by his flesh body, as he used to live, in Adam.
Paul says, if the believer does this, he will die. What does he mean by that? Well, clearly he is not talking
about physical death here. You are not put to death if you live according to the flesh; we wouldnt be here
right now! Nor could Paul mean death in the sense of judgment and condemnation; there is now no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
So what does Paul mean? As Paul has done several times in the passage on sanctification (Rm 6:2, 1; 7:6,
8, 9, 11), he is speaking of death metaphorically. This is borne out by the verb tense for the word die in
verse 13 it is continuous, or repeated action. How do you continuously, or repeatedly, die? Clearly, this
is imagery, and it fits the rest of what Paul expresses here, perfectly.

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What Paul is saying is that if the believer continues to live according to the flesh the way he used to live,
in Adam he is purposing death for himself; he is purposing to live by a body of death.
How does one live by a body of death? Well, as you set your mind on the things of the flesh, the deception
of the worlds thinking is what occupies your thoughts. You live for the here and now, according to time
and your senses.
You live as you used to live, trying to fulfill this bodys lusts and cravings, except the flesh is never
satisfied. You keep trying to improve it, to extend its life, make it look younger than it is when all the
while, it is perishing.
And the flesh has a corrupting influence on the one who tries to live by it (Eph 4:22); like a dead thing, that
causes things in contact with it to rot. Living according to the flesh, theres no vitality; no flourishing; the
heart atrophies, walled off from the love of God by its own self-absorption.
If you live that way, you are living in denial of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus - the eternal life for the body
that you can live by, here and now, by faith. You are choosing unrighteousness, in a body of death, over
living your righteousness, as a son of God. You are choosing the corruption of the flesh; a kind of living
death.
But if instead you put to death the practices of this flesh body; that is to say, how you used to live, in the
flesh you will live. The KJV says mortify the deeds of the body; deliver the unrighteous acts of the flesh
over to death. How does the believer do that? Paul says, by the spirit.
If you will walk by faith, following the Spirits leading in the spirit of life, you will not fulfill the lusts of
the flesh (Gal 5:16). You mortify the practices of the flesh, because you are practicing righteousness you
cannot do both, at the same time.
If you will make the decision to live according to the spirit of life, you will not live according to the flesh.
And then, you will really live and fulfill your debt of love, to the One who loved you, and gave Himself
for you (Gal 2:20).
Next week: Romans 8 continues. Read Heb 2:14-15, Gal 3:26-4:7, Eph 1:1-14, 1 Jn 3:1-3.