Chapter 8:12-17

COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

By Dr. John R. Stone

Romans 8:12-17

8 12So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (Rom. 8:12-17 NASB)

Part 23 Overview:

After explaining in verses 1-11 that there is no condemnation for the believer because he is in Christ Jesus, Paul explained that Christ met the requirements of the law as our substitute and that the life of Christ in us produces the life-giving fruit of the Spirit in us. We are positionally perfect in God’s eyes, and we are practically changed in our daily experience. Because the Spirit of Christ dwells in every believer from the moment of conversion, that same Spirit is at work to transform the life of the believer and to guarantee the ultimate (final) victory for every child of God. God will finish what He has begun. The believer is free from obligation (duty) to obey the Law in order to gain acceptance with God. Acceptance is freely given in Christ. The believer in Christ has no fear of condemnation by God, and he has a guarantee of final victory because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Now Paul turns his attention to the transformation of life for the believer. In verses 12-15 Paul explains why we have a twofold confidence before God.

Vss. 12-14: Obligation: The Ministry of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit changes everything for the believer. Now that he has been saved he no longer has any obligation to do what his natural desires might incline him to do. Now by the power of the Spirit the believer can “put to death,” he can disregard and deny, those natural inclinations. The believer now has a new characteristic of life. He has new desires and new motivations (promptings). The state of the believer’s life is changing as the Spirit does His work. The believer is now led by the Spirit.

Vss. 15-17: Adoption: The Fact of the Law

Paul begins verse 14 by explaining the cause and effect relationship between his new life and the fact that he has become a “son of God.”

Imagine what it would feel like to be captured and raised among slaves and then at the age of 12 to be delivered by your father and brought into the palace to live with the king. The fear of being beaten and the torment of daily insults have been replaced by lavish acceptance and sincere affection, and you begin to understand and truly believe that the King is your daddy, who loves you dearly. That is the picture Paul paints for us as new believers. We who were once slaves to sin, have been adopted into the King’s family. The downcast eyes and drooping shoulders have been replaced by joyful celebration and grateful confidence. The standing of the believer before God has changed forever because he has now been adopted by the Father.

Paul goes on in verse 17 to inform the believer that he is an adopted son and a fellow heir with Christ. If we are to reign with Christ, we must suffer because we have identified ourselves with the cause of Christ against the enemies of God our Father. All believers suffer to one degree or another because of their identity with Christ. Jesus said to His disciples, “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Paul said that it has been granted to us not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil. 1:29). Identity with Christ may cost the believer dearly, but the greatness of the glory that awaits the believer is worth the price that was paid to identify with Christ.

Summary:

The Bible says entrance into God’s family is like marriage or birth or adoption. Coming to God by marriage emphasizes the intimacy and companionship we enjoy with the Father. Being born into God’s family emphasizes the fact that the believer has the same nature and likeness as Christ. Being adopted into the family of God highlights the authority and legal standing the believer enjoys with God. An adopted son under Roman law was immediately authorized to transact business for the father and enjoyed the privileged status of a favorite son. God wants us to see ourselves that way so that we do not dabble with sin to find our happiness but rather to believe the truth about who we are in Christ so that we can enjoy the full benefit of our salvation.

—to be continued

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