Romans 8 - No Condemnation

Introduction

What do you think of when you think about Romans?

The Roman’s Road

Rom 8:28

Rom 12:1-2

A book about doctrine

An easy book? a hard book?

Romans has been called the most important letter ever written. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans from Corinth during his third missionary journey around a.d. 56–57 (see Acts 20:2–3).

Setting. Paul had never been to Rome, but Christians had been there for several years. We do not know how the church began in Rome. Most likely it started sometime shortly after Pentecost when new believers returned home and started to spread the gospel (see Acts 2:10–11). (Shortly after AD 33)

Paul understood the importance and influence of a strong church in Rome. (Like a church in Washington D.C or NYC or LA). He wanted to strengthen the existing work in that place initially through the letter and secondly by visiting them (1:8–15; 15:14–33). For this reason Paul methodically and systematically outlined the foundational meaning of salvation in Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christianity. He described the human condition, the meaning of the gospel, God’s plan for men and women, God’s purpose for Israel, and the responsibilities of the Christian life and ministry.

So Paul writes this letter...

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Introduction (1:1–15)

To express the nature of the gospel, its relation to the OT and Jewish law, and its transforming power

A rough flow of the book:

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Purpose and Theology

I. Introduction and Theme (1:1–17)

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Introduction (1:1–15)

Paul identified himself as a “servant” of God, an “apostle” who was “set apart for the gospel of God.” He offered greetings to the Christians at Rome. Paul told them of his prayers for them and his eagerness to proclaim the gospel there.

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Purpose and Theology

II. The Human Condition and God’s Wrath (1:18–3:20)

Romans 1:18 “18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,”

What is the reason for this wrath?

Romans 1:21 — The heart of the human condition

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks…”

Shows willful refusal to worship God—the core of human sin.

Ingratitude and suppression of truth mark humanity’s fallen posture.

Romans 1:24, 26, 28 — God “gave them over”

“Therefore God gave them up…” (repeated three times)

Romans 1:32 — Knowing God’s decree yet persisting

“…they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

Humanity is not ignorant but rebellious.

Moral knowledge does not restrain sin.

Romans 2 – God’s Judgment Impartial and Inescapable - even to the Jews

Romans 2:1 “1 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.”

Romans–Galatians Comment

God justly condemns not only all who commit evil but all who judge them but are no better themselves.

Romans 3 – The Universality of Sin

Romans 3:9 — All under sin

Romans 3:9 “9 What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin,”

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Purpose and Theology

III. Righteousness by Faith (3:21–4:25)

What is needed? Justification by Faith!

Romans 3:23–24 “23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

What does it mean to be “justified”?

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Justified by Faith (3:21–31)

In verse 24 Paul said that all who believe “are justified.” Justified is a legal term meaning to declare righteous. On the basis of what Christ has accomplished for sinners on the cross, God now views those who believe in Christ from a future perspective. That is, He sees them not as they are but as they will be in Christ. He sees them as He sees Christ: perfect, holy, and without sin (see

What is redemption? “Redemption that is in Christ Jesus” - buying back, as out of the slave market or pawn shop

Wait a minute - what about Abraham?

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Faith (4:1–25)

FAITH (4:1–25)

The apostle had shown that God declares Jews and Gentiles righteous by their faith in Jesus. How was this different from God’s dealings with His people in former times? Paul demonstrated the unity and continuity of God’s plan by illustrations from Abraham and David. Paul showed that God declared Abraham righteous by faith, not by works or ritual or the law. Neither Abraham nor any other person had anything to boast about before God because of what he had done but by his faith in God’s promise (see

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Purpose and Theology

IV. God’s Righteousness Explained (5:1–8:39)

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Grace Abounds (5:1–21)

GRACE ABOUNDS (5:1–21)

Paul argued that by the impact of this righteous gift believers are given salvation from the wrath of God. God has reconciled godless and unrighteous enemies to Himself. Thus they “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Holman Concise Bible Commentary New Life in Christ (6:1–14)

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST (6:1–14)

God’s provided righteousness involves more than declaring believers righteous on the basis of faith. He declared the duty to reject sin and do what is right because of the new life received in Christ.

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Slaves of Righteousness (6:15–23)

SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (6:15–23)

Paul stated that sin results in death. Believers have been set free from sin and no longer are in bondage to it. Now believers are slaves of righteousness and alive to God. They are now to reject sin and do what is right by serving God.

Did you have a good week this week? Did anyone not sin this week? Why not?

Holman Concise Bible Commentary The Human Contradiction (7:1–13)

THE HUMAN CONTRADICTION (7:1–13)

In chapter 7 Paul pictured himself in a representative way as one wanting to live righteously and fulfill the demands of the law but frustrated by sin that still indwelt him.

Holman Concise Bible Commentary The Christian Struggle (7:14–25)

THE CHRISTIAN STRUGGLE (7:14–25)

The interpretation of these verses is as difficult as any in the New Testament. The text is gripped with tension. Paul painted for the readers a picture of the Christian life with all its anguish and its simultaneous hopefulness. This is the ongoing struggle with which believers are involved throughout their lives. Deliverance is promised. Victory is sure, but it is an eschatological hope.

Paul described one who hates sin and judges it in his or her life. In this struggle the believer constantly continues to strive for the good. Both the struggle of chapter 7 and the deliverance of chapter 8 are true and real in the believer’s journey. Though Paul spoke autobiographically of the tensions of life as he experienced them, it remains apparent that he spoke by implication for all who have the struggle and need for God’s enablement and blessing.

Is that you today? Is that me every day?

Holman Concise Bible Commentary No Condemnation (8:1–17)

NO CONDEMNATION (8:1–17)

Paul’s exposition shifted to a focus on the role of the Holy Spirit, who brings pardon and power for the children of God. Those who have been justified have been freed from death. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Redemptive Suffering (8:18–27)

REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING (8:18–27)

Hope transforms suffering. Paul pointed to creation’s longing for its redemption and believers’ eagerly awaiting their ultimate adoption and redemption. Here we see God’s plan of redemptive suffering moving to its fulfillment at the end of the age.

Holman Concise Bible Commentary More than Conquerors (8:28–39)

MORE THAN CONQUERORS (8:28–39)

Paul’s conclusion to the first half of the book emphasized the majesty and glory of God and pointed to the certainty of God’s redemptive plan. All that happens to them rests in the sovereign hand of God, who in all things “works for the good of those who love him.” Believers gain assurance knowing that God is for them (8:31). In all the testings and sufferings that confront believers, they can be confident that they are more than conquerors through Christ who loved them. Believers can expect difficulties in this age; yet they can be certain that nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans Original Meaning

ROMANS 8

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Purpose and Theology

V. God’s Faithful Purposes (9:1–11:36)

VI. Righteousness in Christian Living and Service (12:1–15:13)

VII. Conclusion (15:14–16:27)

ROMANS 8 HAS been called the “inner sanctuary within the cathedral of Christian faith.” It sets before us some of the most wonderful blessings we enjoy as believers: being free from God’s condemnation, indwelt by God’s own Spirit, adopted into his family, destined for resurrection and glory, and full of hope because of God’s love for us and because of his promise to bring good to us in every circumstance of life.

Romans 8:1–4 CSB

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

1. No Condemnation in Christ - v.1

“no condemnation” - this reverses the entire problem of Romans 1–3

1 And can it be that I should gain An int'rest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Refrain: Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me!

5 No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th'eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

“in Christ” - a very important concept in the NT!

Galatians 3:26–28 CSB

26 for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Does It Mean to Be in Christ?

Galatians 3:26–28

To be colloquial and just a tiny bit irreverent, we are on “team Jesus”; we used to be on “team Adam”

Union with Christ is the foundation of the entire chapter.

Not “less condemnation.” Not “delayed condemnation.”

This is a legal declaration—God’s final verdict on believers because they are in Christ Jesus.

This is great news - Justified people never return to the courtroom (remember OJ!)

2. A New Liberation Through the Spirit - v.2

Romans New Life through the Spirit’s Liberating Work (8:1–4)

“The law of the Spirit,” then, denotes the authority or power exercised by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit exerts a liberating power through the work of Christ that takes us out of the realm of sin and the spiritual death to which sin inevitably leads.

Romans 7’s struggle finds its answer in Romans 8’s empowerment

3. God Condemned Sin in the Flesh v. 3-4

Key idea: God solved the problem of sin through the sending of His Son.

The law was powerless “because it was weakened by the flesh.”

God accomplished what the law could not by sending His Son “in the likeness of sinful flesh” and dealing with sin decisively.

Verse 4 gives the purpose: that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us—not by our own performance, but as we walk according to the Spirit.

Teaching emphasis: Christ’s work in the flesh removes condemnation; the Spirit’s work in us produces sanctification.

Applications:

Because there is no condemnation (v. 1), we can rest; because there is liberation (v. 2), we can change; because God has condemned sin in Christ (vv. 3–4), we can obey by the Spirit.