Romans 8:4 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

BSB

so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

KJV

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

ASV

that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

BBE

So that what was ordered by the law might be done in us, who are living, not in the way of the flesh, but in the way of the Spirit.

Original Greek

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ἵνα ina so that G2443 τὸ to the G3588 δικαίωμα dikaiōma righteousness G1345 τοῦ tou of the G3588 νόμου nomou law G3551 πληρωθῇ plērōthēa may be fulfilled G4137 ἐν en in G1722 ἡμῖν hēmin us G3165 τοῖς tois (the) G3588 μὴ mē not G3361 κατὰ kata according to G2596 σάρκα sarka [the] flesh G4561 περιπατοῦσιν peripatousin walking G4043 ἀλλὰ alla but G235 κατὰ kata according to G2596 πνεῦμα pneuma [the] Spirit G4151

The early church

What meaneth this word, righteousness? Why, the end, the scope, the well-doing. For what was its design, and what did it enjoin? To be without sin. This then is made good to us now through Christ. And the making a stand against it, and the getting the better of it, came from Him. But it is for us to enjoy the victory. Then shall we never sin henceforth? We never shall unless we have become exceedingly relaxed and supine. And this is why he added, "to them that walk not after the flesh. For lest, after hearing that Christ hath delivered thee from the war of sin, and that the requisition of the Law is fulfilled in thee, by sin having been "condemned in the flesh," thou shouldest break up all thy defences; therefore, in that place also, after saying, "there is therefore no condemnation," he added, "to them that walk not after the flesh;" and here also, "that the requisition of the Law might be fulfilled in us," he proceeds with the very same thing; or rather, not with it only, but even with a much stronger thing. For after saying, "that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us that walk not after the flesh," he proceeds, "but after the Spirit." So showing, that it is not only binding upon us to keep ourselves from evil deeds, but also to be adorned with good. For to give thee the crown is His; but it is thine to hold it fast when given. For the righteousness of the Law, that one should not become liable to its curse, Christ has accomplished for thee. Be not a traitor then to so great a gift, but keep guarding this goodly treasure. For in this passage he shows that the Font will not suffice to save us, unless, after coming from it, we display a life worthy of the Gift. And so he again advocates the Law in saying what he does.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Romans

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–9

Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for our souls? Those that live in pleasure are dead, 1Ti 5:6. A sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal man may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not, ver. 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.

Read Matthew Henry on Romans 8 →

Cross-references

9

Topics

Jesus, The Christ Holiness Righteousness Spirituality