The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now in a detailed study of Paul's epistle to the church in Rome. These are the notes for Session 10.
Paul’s primary purpose in writing Romans was to teach the great truths of the gospel of grace to believers who had never received apostolic instruction. Unlike with some of Paul’s other epistles, his purpose for writing Romans was not to correct detestable theology or rebuke ungodly living. The Roman church was doctrinally sound, but, like all churches, it was in need of the rich doctrinal and practical instruction this letter provides.
The overarching theme of Romans is the righteousness that comes from God: the glorious truth that God justifies guilty, condemned sinners by grace alone through faith in Christ alone.
We continue to talk about the Holy Spirit. Here in chapter 8, Paul mentions the Spirit almost twenty times. It is the Spirit who frees us from sin and death, enables us to fulfill God’s law, changes our nature, gives us the ability to overcome the desires of our unredeemed flesh, confirms our adoption as God’s children, and guarantees our eternal glory. There can be no success or progress in the Christian life apart from dependence on the third Person of the Trinity
Click below to read my notes.
Background of the Passage
Having spoken of condemnation (due to human sin) and justification (due to Christ's sacrifice on behalf of sinners), Paul turns next to the vital issues of sanctification (the believer’s ongoing struggle with sin) and glorification(transformation into the image of Christ).
Here in chapter 8, Paul mentions the Spirit almost twenty times. It is the Spirit who frees us from sin and death, enables us to fulfill God’s law, changes our nature, gives us the ability to overcome the desires of our unredeemed flesh, confirms our adoption as God’s children, and guarantees our eternal glory.
In short, there can be no success or progress in the Christian life apart from dependence on the third Person of the Trinity.
Paul closes the chapter with profound teaching about the believer’s absolute security.
Not only are we saved by the blood of Christ and indwelt by the Spirit, but we also are safe in the Father’s love. The God who is in control of all things, who has graciously saved us from sin and death, and who has begun the process of transformation in us, will never let us go.
Christians receive similar benefits to children whom someone has adopted. Christians have the promise of God’s property, because he is their new Father. They will share the glory of God’s own son, Jesus Christ. Christ suffered before he received his glory. So Christians must expect to suffer too.
But they have the promise of future glory.
Suffering to Glory
Romans 8:18-27 NKJV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Verse 18 Paul could speak about troubles and pain from his own experience. People had opposed him and punished him. Those people hated Paul because he spoke God’s message. Paul had suffered physical difficulties like cold and hunger as he travelled on land and sea. He also seems to speak about a physical problem that was a painful nuisance to him. But he was sure that he would suffer for only a short time. Glory would last always. Present pain is very slight when we compare it with the splendid life of heaven.
Romans 8:19-22 NKJV For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Verses 19-22 When people sinned, the world itself suffered. The world lost its original purpose. And everything in the world suffered because of human sin. People had sinned. But often they knew that they were doing wrong deeds. Nature had no choice. Plants and animals also suffer illness and death. We know how human sin spoils God’s earth. For example, when people cut down trees for selfish reasons, they make the land bare. Then animals that live in forests cannot continue to live there. And the crops that grow there are often weaker than the old trees. So that place becomes poorer because people were selfish. However, God promised that he would free his world. Then the world could share the freedom of God’s children (that is, the real Christians).
Until God changes his world, the world will cry in pain. It is like a woman who gives birth to a child in pain. Or, it is like someone who is waiting for something exciting to happen in their lives.. It is waiting for the new age to begin. That age will begin when Jesus returns as king. When he returns, everybody will see his glory.
Romans 8:23 NKJV Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Verse 23 Paul has described how the world seems to cry in pain. It is waiting for the new age when God’s children will have complete freedom. And God’s children also cry inside, because they also desire that time.
Now our bodily redemption seems distant. But then we shall see his face.
I Corinthians 13:12 NKJV For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
I John 3:2 NKJV Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Now our lives are not perfect. But then everything will be perfect.
The Holy Spirit is like the ‘first fruit’ of the harvest. The first fruit is the beginning of the harvest. It is like a promise that the full (complete) harvest will follow. So Christians have received the Holy Spirit which is the first fruit of the harvest. He brings joy in the present and a promise of blessing in the future. But we share the pain of the world that God made. We desire to be free from our human nature, which still sins. God has adopted us as his children already. But we are eager for the time when God will change our human bodies. He will change them to be like Christ’s glorious body.
Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Romans 8:24-25 NKJV For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Verses 24-25 We can be confident about God’s plans for the future. We live in the time between pain and glory. God will do what he has promised to do. We know this. So we wait eagerly and patiently at the same time.
Romans 8:26-27 NKJV Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Verses 26-27 We do not know how to pray in our present situation. We do not know what is best for other people or for ourselves. But we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be our advocate (someone who speaks to support another person). The Greek word is ‘paracletos’ (John 14:16). That is, the Holy Spirit will speak on our behalf.
The Spirit knows about our pain and he knows about the pain in the world. He knows what God wants. So the Spirit prays on behalf of us. God knows our thoughts and the mind of the Spirit. So God will answer the prayer of the Spirit on behalf of us.
God’s Everlasting Love
Romans 8:28-39 NKJV And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verse 28 ‘We know’ means that Christians already have had this experience. God is already working in our lives. We have suffered pain and disappointment. People have opposed us. Our troubles have been great. But even at the worst times, God was working for our benefit. He was helping us. He looked after us when nobody else cared. He is our Father, who loves us.
And God promises to continue to look after the people who love him. So we should not be afraid of future problems. And we should not be angry when unpleasant things happen. Instead, we should trust him. He has a plan. He chose to adopt us as his sons and daughters. He is looking after us during our present troubles. And so he will bring us into his new age, when we shall be free from all these troubles.
Romans 8:29 NKJV For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Verse 29 Paul speaks about the people whom God already knew. They are God’s special people. God loves them. He has a plan for their lives.
God has a plan to benefit people from every nation. Because of his love, God made this plan before the world began. He decided to save people. He would help them to be holy. He would do this by means of Christ his son. By his resurrection, Christ is the beginning of a new creation. God made a plan for people who trust in Christ.
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
God would adopt them as his children. They would become Christ’s brothers and sisters. He would make them righteous. And they would share his glory. That is how they would become like Christ.
Romans 8:30 NKJV Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Verse 30 It was God’s purpose since the beginning of the world to call people to himself. He has made them righteous. The glory for Christians is in the future. But Paul speaks as if they have already received that glory from God.
God decided this before the world began. So Paul is certain. God will do everything that he has promised to do.
Colossians 3:4 NKJV When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Romans 8:31-32 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Verses 31-32 God did not save (rescue) his son, Jesus. God’s love is so great. He gave his only son to die on the cross. This was the greatest gift that people could ever receive. So God will certainly give us everything else that we need.
Romans 8:33-34 NKJV Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Verses 33-34 Paul thinks about a court of law. The Christian has to appear there in front of a judge. God is the judge. He has said already that the Christian is not guilty. So nobody can accuse Christians when God is on their side.
In addition to that Christians also have someone to speak on their behalf, like a lawyer in court. It is Christ.
Paul uses an early form of the Apostles creed.
"I believe in God, the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."
He says that Christ died. Christ rose again to life. Christ is now by God’s ‘right hand’. God’s ‘right hand’ means the place of greatest honour and authority. There Christ is speaking on behalf of his people. So Christians have the Holy Spirit to speak for them on earth.
Romans 8:26 NKJV Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
They also have Christ to speak for them in heaven. He speaks to God the Father.
I John 2:1 NKJV My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Verse 35 Paul says, ‘Nothing can separate us from Christ’s love.’ He gives a list of 7 possible troubles; tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:35 NKJV Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
But Paul is sure that they cannot separate us. People may kill Christians because of their faith. But even this will not separate them from God’s love.
Verse 36 Paul reminds his readers that God’s people suffered in the past.
Psalms 44:22 NKJV Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
These words describe how the people in Israel were suffering. They were suffering because they were loyal to God. They appealed to God to help them. Like them, we may suffer terrible troubles in this world. But like them, we shall overcome because God loves us. Nothing can separate us from Christ’s love.
Romans 8:37 NKJV Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Verse 37 Even while we are suffering, we shall not be without hope. And that hope will not disappoint us. God is on our side. Nobody can successfully oppose us. And so we shall overcome. We shall win a great victory. We shall win by the power of God who loved us.
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV 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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verses 38-39 Paul thinks about everything that might try to separate us from God’s love. But nothing will be able to do that. While we are alive, Christ is with us. If we die, we will be nearer to Christ in heaven. So neither death nor life can separate us from God’s love.
Then Paul thinks about spirits. And he thinks about powerful rulers. Their power and authority is immense. But even they are unable to separate us from God’s love.
Then Paul tries to describe things that we can hardly imagine. He refers to the entire period of history. He refers to the future age and the new world that God will create. Then Paul thinks about vast measurements of height and depth that seem to have no end. Perhaps he is thinking about the distance between heaven and hell. Perhaps he is thinking about the battle between the spiritual forces that rule heaven and hell.
It is difficult for us even to think about such things. But Paul is confident that God’s love is more powerful than anything else. There is nothing anywhere in time or space that can separate God’s children from their Father. God loves us and he has shown us that love by means of Jesus Christ. When Jesus died for us, God showed us his love (John 3:16). He did this because he wanted to adopt us as his sons and daughters. He did not want sin to control us. He wanted to forgive us. He wanted to make us righteous. He is our Father God, who really loves his children.
Willpower will never be enough to break the power of sin in your life. But thanks to Jesus, you have more than enough power in the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and break the vicious circle of sin and death.
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