BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

In Romans 7, Paul describes the futility of trying to be religious while still bound to the carnal nature. In Romans 8, he explains victory over this controlling force. Verses 1-13 address the power over indwelling sin through entire sanctification, and verses 14-39 assure believers in Christ. In Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation…” refers to both committed sins and humanity’s inherent sinful nature. In our focus verse, Paul spoke of the condemnation (a verdict of wrongdoing before God) that rests upon the life of an unsaved individual. Justification, the remedy for that condemnation, occurs when God cancels the guilt and forgives the transgressions of a sinner. “No condemnation” means more than just judicial acquittal; it signifies deliverance from the sinful condition described in Romans 7:7-25. Freed from sin’s dominion, the believer is empowered by the Spirit to live righteously.
Verses 2-4 highlight the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, with verse 3 emphasizing that the Law lacks the power to change the heart, while verse 4 shows that the Law is “fulfilled” in those who walk by the Spirit. Verses 5-11 further explain life in the Spirit, contrasting the flesh with the Spirit. In verse 13, Paul warned that living in the Spirit does not eliminate the possibility of sinning, but mortifying (putting to death) the deeds of the flesh does empower one to live without sinning.. Verses 14-17 discuss adoption and the believer’s eternal inheritance with Christ. In Roman culture, adopted sons had equal standing with biological children, and the term “Abba” (verse 15) expresses an intimate, personal relationship with God.
Verse 16 refers to a joint affirmation between the Spirit and human conscience. Verses 18-30 encourage believers to take courage from the Spirit’s assistance and the glory awaiting them. The word “infirmities” in verse 26 includes the whole range of human frailties: scars from past experiences, limited perspectives, temperamental differences, mistakes and faults, physical weariness, and stresses. While the carnal nature is eradicated at sanctification, human weakness remains; this is the area where spiritual growth occurs. Verse 28 affirms that God works all things for good, not that every event is good, but that each serves His eternal purpose. In verses 29-30, Paul discusses foreknowledge and predestination, asserting that God’s predetermined plan is for everyone to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” Those who choose to participate are identified as “God’s elect” in verse 33. In verses 31-39, Paul describes believers’ victory and concludes with the triumphant statement that nothing can separate them from Christ’s love.
In chapter 8, Paul explains God’s righteousness in Christ and victory over sin. Concerned that his message might suggest rejection of the Jews, he begins chapter 9, addressing Israel’s role in God’s plan. Chapter 9 discusses election and divine sovereignty, chapter 10 covers rejection and human responsibility, and chapter 11 focuses on restoration and universal blessing. Paul expresses grief over Israel’s downfall in verses 1-5 and, like Moses, is willing to be “accursed from Christ” for his people’s salvation (verse 3). In verses 6-13, Paul explains that God’s promises remain despite Israel’s failure, using Abraham’s children of promise as an example. In verses 14-18, Paul expands on God’s sovereignty, showing that it is His right to reward faith and judge unbelief.
Referring to Exodus 9:16 (verse 17), Paul illustrates God’s sovereignty with the example of the potter shaping clay (verses 19-21), emphasizing that resistance to God serves His purpose. Paul shows that it is God’s right to turn from unbelieving Jews to believing Gentiles, quoting Hosea and Isaiah to demonstrate that both Jews and Gentiles can be children of promise, but only a remnant of Israel will be included (verses 24-29). In verses 30-33, Paul concludes that Gentiles, who had no knowledge of the Law, obtained righteousness by faith, while the Jews, despite having the Law, stumbled over Christ due to lack of faith.

A TESTIMONY FROM OUR DAY

Sibling rivalry in a family with five children takes many forms, as my husband and I have learned. Among our three girls and two boys, much of the banter revolves around the fact that our oldest daughter is adopted. She likes to tease her younger siblings, saying, “Mom and Dad chose me! They just had to take what they got when you came along!” Romans 9:10-12 speaks of “the purpose of God according to election,” where the Greek word translated as “election” means “divine selection” or “chosen.” I’ll never forget the day we chose our daughter. A couple who had adopted twelve Korean children attended one of our church services, and my husband and I chatted with them afterward. Their parents were missionaries in Korea, and we had discussed adopting a Korean child in the future. When they brought their twelve children into church, we were intrigued. They shared that they had long sponsored an orphanage in Seoul and mentioned one little girl left in the home—a three-year-old named Nena, who had been named after their birth daughter. Although other couples had shown interest, they wanted her placed in a Christian home. When we saw Nena’s picture, our hearts were captured. God miraculously confirmed to us that adopting her was His plan. Eight months later, our daughter arrived from Korea, entering our home and hearts.
In Romans 9, Paul focuses on God’s sovereignty and election. Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, had many sons. Paul illustrates divine sovereignty by showing that the Messianic line would come through Abraham’s son Isaac, and Isaac’s younger son, Jacob—they were chosen. Why was Isaac chosen instead of his older brother, Ishmael? Why was Jacob chosen instead of Esau? We don’t know, but we understand it was God’s right to choose. At times, we may not understand God’s ways, but we trust that He has the right to do what He wishes to accomplish His purpose. One thing is clear: God has chosen each of us for salvation. Whether we understand why or not, we have been chosen! Our role is to respond with repentance and faith, enjoying all the blessings of being part of His family.

A CLOSER LOOK

Question 1
In Romans 8, the Apostle focused on deliverance from sin and the sinful disposition and inclination of the flesh, sometimes referred to as the “sin nature” or the “carnal nature.” What does this deliverance from the sin nature — the experience of entire sanctification — accomplish in our lives?
Question 2
In Romans 8:28, Paul asserted that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. How can we reconcile that statement with the fact that pain and adversity clearly occur in the lives of believers?
Question 3
Foreknowledge and predestination are concepts Paul alluded to in Romans 8:29-30. God chose all humanity to be made righteous through His grace, but His foreknowledge identifies individuals who He knew would respond to His call with repentance and faith. The word predestinate in verse 30 means “to predetermine.” According to verse 29, what is God’s predetermined purpose for all individuals?
Question 4
In Romans 9, Paul continued his instruction on the sovereignty of God. In verse 19, he imagined someone asking, “If it is all a matter of God’s choice, then how can God find fault with me?” He responded in the next verse by showing how disrespectful such a question is. His point was, who are we to question God? What illustration did Paul use in verse 21 to support his point?
Question 5
Many of the Jews wanted to be righteous, but they tried to achieve that state in the wrong way. According to Romans 9:32, what was the great error of the Jews regarding how they sought to be righteous? What are some ways people try to be righteous in our day?
Question 6
What was the “stumbling stone” to which the Apostle referred in Romans 9:32-33?
Question 7
What are some ways we can submit to the divine sovereignty of God?

TAKE HOME

Those who yield their lives to God have the guilt and penalty of sin removed from their lives and are free to live a life without condemnation. We may not always understand why and how God works, but we can rejoice in the fact that we have been chosen to be a part of His family.