ROMANS 8

Overview

Romans 8 is often considered the pinnacle of Paul's letter to the Romans. It presents a comprehensive view of the Christian life, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit, the assurance of salvation, and the unshakeable love of God.

Life in the Spirit

The chapter begins by contrasting life in the Spirit with life in the flesh:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1, KJV)
Paul emphasizes that those who are in Christ are freed from the law of sin and death. The indwelling Spirit enables believers to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law.

Adoption and Inheritance

Paul then introduces the concept of adoption:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15, KJV)
Believers are portrayed as adopted children of God, co-heirs with Christ. This adoption brings both privileges and responsibilities.

Present Sufferings and Future Glory

The apostle acknowledges the reality of suffering but places it in the context of future glory:
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18, KJV)
He extends this concept to all of creation, which eagerly awaits its own liberation from bondage.

The Spirit's Intercession

Paul discusses the Spirit's role in prayer:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26, KJV)
This assures believers that even when they don't know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes on their behalf.

God's Sovereign Purpose

The chapter then presents one of the most famous verses in the Bible:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, KJV)
This leads into a discussion of God's foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification of believers.

God's Unshakeable Love

The chapter concludes with a powerful affirmation of God's love:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39, KJV)
This climactic statement assures believers that nothing can separate them from God's love.

Theological Significance

Romans 8 is crucial for understanding Pauline theology. It touches on key doctrines such as:

Predestination, Foreknowledge, and Election

Floyd Nolen Jones offers a nuanced view on these complex theological concepts, which differs from some traditional interpretations:

Purchase vs. Redemption

Jones distinguishes between "purchase" and "redemption", basing this on passages such as:
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18-19, KJV)
This view suggests that Christ's death was sufficient for all, but only effective for those who believe.

Predestination Based on Foreknowledge

Jones interprets Romans 8:29-30 to show that predestination is based on God's foreknowledge:
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30, KJV)

Election and the Trinity

Jones emphasizes the Trinitarian aspect of election, citing 1 Peter 1:2:
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:2, KJV)

Universal Invitation

Jones stresses that the biblical revelation of redemption leaves no one uninvited, citing verses like:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2, KJV)

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV)

Human Responsibility

Jones argues for a balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, drawing from passages such as:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9, KJV)
This perspective on predestination, foreknowledge, and election offers a different understanding from some traditional Calvinist interpretations, emphasizing God's universal offer of salvation while maintaining the concepts of God's sovereign choice and foreknowledge. Unlike some interpretations that emphasize God's sovereignty to the exclusion of human choice, Jones argues for a balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. He suggests that while all are purchased, redemption becomes effective only for those who repent and believe.

The chapter presents a coherent view of salvation from its beginning in God's eternal purpose to its consummation in future glory, all grounded in the unwavering love of God.

Practical Implications

For believers, Romans 8 offers tremendous encouragement. It assures them of their standing before God, the help of the Holy Spirit, and the certainty of their final salvation. It provides comfort in suffering and motivation for holy living.

In conclusion, Romans 8 stands as a monumental chapter in Scripture, offering a comprehensive view of the Christian life and the basis for the believer's eternal hope in Christ.
Text by Zach Anderson (zmanderson@gmail.com). Placed in public domain at ultrafree.org. KJV text is used. Feel free to copy and share, free of charge.