Romans 8 juridicial and substantial

-
Text size:
Romans
Chapter 8
Juridical and substantial
Reading key · not a replacement chapter
Legend
J — juridical transformation: changes standing before God
S — substantial transformation: changes the person, the life, or the body
J+S — both together

Romans 8 answers the cry of 7:24 without mixing the planes. First: no condemnation. Then: the mortal body will be made alive. The case is closed. The flesh still waits.

No condemnation · J+S

1 There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. That is the verdict. J.

2–4 The law of the Spirit of life set free from the law of sin and death. God condemned sin in the flesh of his Son. The verdict fell on sin, not on the one who is in Christ. Walking according to the Spirit is the fruit. J+S.

10–11 The body is dead because of sin; the spirit is life because of righteousness. Then: the one who raised Jesus will also give life to your mortal bodies. Paul leaves no doubt. The body has not yet changed. It will be changed. That is future S, founded on present J.

Children and heirs · J+S

12–13 Not debtors to the flesh. By the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body. Life lived now. S begun.

14–17 Adoption. Children. Heirs. Joint heirs. Adoption is a Roman legal act: an heir is constituted. The Spirit makes us cry “Abba” and bears witness. Status and presence together. J+S.

Creation groans · S

18 “I reckon” — λογίζομαι again. Paul puts present affliction and coming glory on the scale. The calculation is of faith, not of feeling.

19–23 Creation will be set free. We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan, waiting for adoption: the redemption of our body. Adoption was already given as Spirit (v. 15). It is still awaited as a redeemed body. Two times of the same sonship. This is the substantial thing the legal case has not yet made visible.

God is for us · J

30 Called, justified, glorified. The chain is of court and of destiny. Glorification is spoken as already counted.

33–34 Who will bring a charge? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ died, was raised, intercedes. The chapter returns to the bar and shuts it. J.

36 “We are counted as sheep for slaughter.” The world may count them so. That is not God’s ledger.

The order of the chapter. First no condemnation. Then the Spirit in mortals. Then the redemption of the body. Then again: who will accuse? Whoever reads 8:11 as if the body had already changed jumps ahead of v. 23. Whoever reads the groaning as if condemnation had returned forgets v. 1.

← Back to Romans 8

Reading Key — Romans as a legal case

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Matthew Chapter 1

-
Image
Text size: A− Reset A+ « Previous Home Next » Matthew Chapter 1 The genealogy of Jesus Christ 25 verses Key verse — Matthew 1:23 “The virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” The genealogy of Jesus Christ 1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham. 2 Abraham fathered Isaac; Isaac fathered Jacob; Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers; 3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar; Perez fathered Hezron; Hezron fathered Ram; 4 Ram fathered Amminadab; Amminadab fathered Nahshon; Nahshon fathered Salmon; 5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab; Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth; Obed fathered Jesse; 6 Jesse fathered David the king; David the king fathered Solomon by her who had been Uriah's wife. 7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam; Rehoboam fathered Abijah; Abijah fathered Asa; 8 Asa fathered Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat fathered Joram; Joram fathered U...
Read more

Romans Chapter 1

-
Image
Text size: A− Reset A+ « Previous Home Next » Romans Chapter 1 The gospel, and the indictment 32 verses Key verse — Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Greeting 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all nations, for his name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ: 7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and th...
Read more

Romans chapter 2

-
Image
Text size: A− Reset A+ « Previous Home Next » Romans Chapter 2 The one who judges 29 verses Key verse — Romans 2:11 “For there is no partiality with God.” The one who judges 1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. 1 For in what you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge do the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, who judge those who do such things and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But according to your hardness and impenitent heart you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each one according to his deeds: 7 to those wh...
Read more