Romans 8

King James Version

Full text for Romans Chapter 8

1¶ [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

7Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10¶ And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,

21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.

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

25But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].

26¶ 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.

27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

29¶ 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.

30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.

34Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39Nor 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Romans 8 declares that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The Spirit of life liberates believers from the law of sin and death, enabling them to live as sons of God. This chapter culminates in the triumphant assurance that nothing can separate believers from the steadfast love of God in Christ Jesus.

Medium Summary

Romans 8 begins by asserting that believers in Christ Jesus are free from condemnation, having been liberated by the law of the Spirit of life from the law of sin and death. It contrasts living after the flesh, which leads to death, with living after the Spirit, which brings life and peace, emphasizing that those led by the Spirit are sons of God. The chapter highlights the Spirit of adoption, by which believers cry "Abba, Father," and become joint-heirs with Christ, destined for glory despite present sufferings. It reveals that all creation groans, awaiting its deliverance into the glorious liberty of God's children, a hope shared by believers who possess the firstfruits of the Spirit. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit aids believers in their weaknesses, interceding for them according to God's will, and assures them that all things work together for good for those called according to His purpose. The chapter powerfully concludes with the unshakeable conviction that neither tribulation, nor death, nor any created thing can separate believers from the steadfast love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Long Summary

Romans 8 opens with the profound declaration that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. This freedom is established by the law of the Spirit of life, which liberates believers from the dominion of sin and death, a feat the Mosaic Law could not accomplish due to the weakness of the flesh. God, through sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin, enabling the righteousness of the law to be fulfilled in those who live spiritually. The chapter sharply contrasts the carnal mind, which is enmity against God and leads to death, with the spiritual mind, which brings life and peace. It affirms that believers are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells within them, promising that the same Spirit that raised Christ will quicken their mortal bodies. Believers are exhorted to mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit, for those led by the Spirit are the sons of God, having received the Spirit of adoption, not bondage. As children of God, they are heirs and joint-heirs with Christ, destined for glory, though they must also suffer with Him. The apostle then expands this hope to all creation, which groans under the bondage of corruption, eagerly awaiting its deliverance into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Believers, possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit, also groan inwardly, patiently awaiting the full redemption of their bodies. In their weakness, the Holy Spirit graciously intercedes for them with unutterable groanings, ensuring their prayers align with God's will. A cornerstone promise is given: all things work together for good to them that love God, who are called according to His purpose. This divine purpose is further elaborated through the "golden chain" of salvation: God foreknew, predestinated, called, justified, and will glorify His elect, conforming them to the image of His Son. The chapter culminates in an triumphant affirmation of God's unwavering support and love, questioning who can be against those for whom God gave His own Son, and who can condemn those whom Christ justified and intercedes for. Paul concludes with an unshakeable persuasion that absolutely nothing—neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor any created thing—can separate believers from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Core Concepts

  • No Condemnation in ChristFor those in Christ Jesus who walk after the Spirit, there is no longer any condemnation, as the law of the Spirit of life has set them free from the law of sin and death. This freedom is a direct result of God condemning sin in the flesh through His Son.
  • Flesh vs. SpiritThe chapter contrasts living according to the flesh, which leads to death and is enmity against God, with living according to the Spirit, which brings life and peace. Believers are called to mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit.
  • Spirit of AdoptionBelievers receive the Spirit of adoption, by which they are recognized as sons of God and can confidently call God "Abba, Father." This Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are children of God and thus heirs with Christ.
  • Creation's Hope and GroaningThe entire creation groans under the bondage of corruption, eagerly awaiting its deliverance into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Believers, too, groan inwardly, awaiting the full redemption of their bodies.
  • The Spirit's IntercessionThe Holy Spirit aids believers in their weaknesses, interceding for them with unutterable groanings when they do not know how to pray as they ought. This intercession is always according to the will of God.
  • Divine Purpose and GlorificationGod's purpose for His called ones involves a chain of events: foreknowledge, predestination to be conformed to Christ's image, calling, justification, and ultimate glorification. All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to this purpose.
  • Unbreakable Love of GodThe chapter concludes with a powerful assurance that no tribulation, distress, persecution, or any created thing, including death or life, can separate believers from the steadfast love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.