The Law & Grace

Updated: May 22

Romans 6:1-6 Romans 8:1-14

*Ro. 8 is a continuance of the subject matter in Ro.6 & 7. Paul is teaching about law & grace. In verses 15 -23, he is saying that in the flesh, he wants to do good but his carnal desires lead him to do wrong. He is not saying that he is powerless against his sinful nature, nor is he making excuses for giving into sinful desires. He is explaining the difference between being carnal & being spiritual. He once was under the law but then grace came & he now lives by the spirit for the spirit of God dwells in him & now he is led by the spirit & not by the flesh. If he was teaching that it’s impossible to live a sinless life, he would be contradicting himself according to his earlier writings in Ro. 5:21, & 6:1-6 >

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

*If we are dead to sin, we no longer allow to sin to rule in our lives. If we find we cannot live a sinless life, we have not crucified our flesh. >

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

*Our old sinful self was nailed to the cross & it is buried with Christ by water baptism in His name (He is the one who took our place on Calvary - Jn.19:34, Acts 2:38.) If we believe, repent, & are baptized, & filled with His spirit, we are raised with a new heart, a new attitude & the power to live righteous.>

Acts.1:8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me

*Salvation is an ‘operation’ in faith, explained below >

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

How? >

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (operation = way a thing works)

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

* In Ro. 7:23, he sums it up saying that in the spirit, he delights in the law of God.

He asks the question > So - wretched man that I am (...in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Ro. 7:18) who shall deliver me from this war in my flesh? (Ro. 7:24)

The answer > v. 25 “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God...*through the redemption of Jesus Christ! When we are born again, we are risen in His likeness, filled with His spirit (Acts 2:38) & possess the ‘power’ to live a righteous life if we continue to walk in the spirit. > Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:16

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

*When we are born again, our mind is renewed, our old man is put to death &we become a new creature. We are changed by the renewing of our mind > Rom 12:2 ... be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

2 Cor 5:17...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

*Therefore....

Rom 8:1-16

1 There is therefore (for that reason / consequently) now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

*condemnation = to give judgment /sentence against.

*The word ‘to’ in this sentence is a preposition (indicating direction) “there is no result or action of blame / verdict of guilt.”

*In Christ: we abide (act in accordance with) the teachings of Jesus (if we are in Christ, we are born again ...His spirit dwells in us) >

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love

*after = (preposition) “in accordance with / in the characteristic manner of”

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

*The rule / power of the spirit that gives us life, frees us from the rule / power of sin that brings forth death

►Verses 1, 2 explained: There is no sentence of punishment against us if we walk after the spirit & not the flesh, for the power of salvation in Jesus Christ has freed us from sin. (We have obeyed His doctrine...been washed clean by His blood & filled with His spirit. >

Acts 2:38...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: >

Heb 10:10...we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 Cor 6:11... ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

*the righteousness of God is achieved in us because we are filled with His spirit & no longer yield to fleshly desires. Explained in the next verse>

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. *Those that pursue fleshly desires, are controlled by their desires

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. *The mind without the spirit of God is carnal & therefore brings forth death, but the spiritual mind brings life & peace.

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. *They that are carnal & follow after things of sinful flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If Christ is in you, you can be free from sin.

*Our old nature is crucified with Him (when we repent, we acknowledge our sins & change our sinful way of thinking & acting then we are baptized with Him in a watery grave - this is the act of burying the body that is now dead to sin. >

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

*I have put to death my sinful desires of the flesh & now Christ lives in me (His spirit dwells in me & empowers me to live right by the faith placed in my heart by Jesus Christ...

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

*We are not obligated to obey the flesh but rather to put to death the sinful acts of the body / flesh

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

*Those that allow themselves to be led by the spirit will live according to God’s word, thereby earning the right to be called the sons of God.

*We can keep the commandments and ordinances of the law, but the will or desire in us is to obey the flesh because we are carnal and driven by fleshly lusts.

The law was given so that God could have a people set apart to serve Him. Under the law, the blood of bulls and goats was offered for atonement but could never take away sin. It could only sanctify them outwardly and had to be offered yearly. So, Christ brought a new covenant that would give us access to the holy place (of redemption) by His blood. The holy place being where the ark of the testimony (or law) and mercy seat were. This new and living way was made possible only through the offering of His flesh. All that enter into this new covenant with Christ have His law written in their heart and His spirit to guide them. We now have, “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

(Heb. 9, 10, Ex 26:34, Eph 1:7)

The Law & Grace

Romans 6:1-6 Romans 8:1-14

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

*If we are dead to sin, we no longer allow to sin to rule in our lives. If we find we cannot live a sinless life, we have not crucified our flesh. >

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Acts.1:8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me

*Salvation is an ‘operation’ in faith, explained below >

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

How? >

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (operation = way a thing works)

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

* In Ro. 7:23, he sums it up saying that in the spirit, he delights in the law of God.

He asks the question > So - wretched man that I am (...in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Ro. 7:18) who shall deliver me from this war in my flesh? (Ro. 7:24)

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

*When we are born again, our mind is renewed, our old man is put to death &we become a new creature. We are changed by the renewing of our mind > Rom 12:2 ... be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

2 Cor 5:17...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

*Therefore....

Rom 8:1-16

1 There is therefore (for that reason / consequently) now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

*condemnation = to give judgment /sentence against.

*The word ‘to’ in this sentence is a preposition (indicating direction) “there is no result or action of blame / verdict of guilt.”

*In Christ: we abide (act in accordance with) the teachings of Jesus (if we are in Christ, we are born again ...His spirit dwells in us) >

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love

*after = (preposition) “in accordance with / in the characteristic manner of”

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

*The rule / power of the spirit that gives us life, frees us from the rule / power of sin that brings forth death

►Verses 1, 2 explained: There is no sentence of punishment against us if we walk after the spirit & not the flesh, for the power of salvation in Jesus Christ has freed us from sin. (We have obeyed His doctrine...been washed clean by His blood & filled with His spirit. >

Acts 2:38...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: >

Heb 10:10...we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 Cor 6:11... ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

*the righteousness of God is achieved in us because we are filled with His spirit & no longer yield to fleshly desires. Explained in the next verse>

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. *Those that pursue fleshly desires, are controlled by their desires

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. *The mind without the spirit of God is carnal & therefore brings forth death, but the spiritual mind brings life & peace.

Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostile) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. *They that are carnal & follow after things of sinful flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If Christ is in you, you can be free from sin.

*Our old nature is crucified with Him (when we repent, we acknowledge our sins & change our sinful way of thinking & acting then we are baptized with Him in a watery grave - this is the act of burying the body that is now dead to sin. >

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

*I have put to death my sinful desires of the flesh & now Christ lives in me (His spirit dwells in me & empowers me to live right by the faith placed in my heart by Jesus Christ...

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make alive) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

*We are not obligated to obey the flesh but rather to put to death the sinful acts of the body / flesh

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

*Those that allow themselves to be led by the spirit will live according to God’s word, thereby earning the right to be called the sons of God.

*We can keep the commandments and ordinances of the law, but the will or desire in us is to obey the flesh because we are carnal and driven by fleshly lusts.

(Heb. 9, 10, Ex 26:34, Eph 1:7)

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