Section 8:1–17

Believers live by the Holy Spirit

In this section Paul reminded the believers in Rome that God does not condemn them, because the Holy Spirit has set them free from sin and death. Jesus became like an Old Testament sin offering to remove the consequences of our sin. The laws of Moses demanded a righteous life, and in the Holy Spirit we can live that way.

The people who live according to the sinful nature seek to do things that are in accord with that nature. Also, they cannot please God, cannot follow his laws, are hostile to him, and will be punished with death forever. The people who live according to the Holy Spirit seek to do things that are in accord with his desire.

Christians allow the Holy Spirit to work in them. When they do that, they are as if dead to sin and God will give them life. Those without the Holy Spirit do not belong to Jesus Christ.

We put to death the deeds of the sinful nature. We do that by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s children and can do as he does (again, by the power of the Holy Spirit). If we suffer as Jesus suffered, God will give to us his promised inheritance in heaven.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We must live according to the Holy Spirit, not according to sinfulness
-or-
Be Ruled by the Spirit (New Century Version)
-or-
Living by the Power of God’s Spirit (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 8:1–4

8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation: In many English versions, the word Therefore is in the middle of the clause. For example:

There is therefore now no condemnation (English Standard Version)

In some languages it must be at the beginning of the clause. Place the word where it is most natural in your language.

Therefore: This conjunction connects to 7:24b–25a or more generally to the themes in 5:21–7:25a. It does not connect to “with my flesh I serve the law of sin” (7:25c).

In some languages a literal translation would connect this verse only to 7:25c. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the connection in your translation. For example:

Based on all that,
-or-
Considering all those things,
-or-

⌊God will deliver his people,⌋ so

• Omit the conjunction. For example:

There is no condemnation now… (Good News Translation)

there is now no condemnation: The word condemnation refers to how someone is punished. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty (New Century Version)

This clause refers to the time Paul wrote this and to today. It also implies God will not condemn believers on the great day of judgment when he judges everyone. It does not promise that believers will escape condemnation by government authorities if they commit a crime. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly promise escape from all condemnation. If that is true in your language, indicate the correct meaning here. For example:

⌊God⌋ does not condemn

See how you translated the word condemnation in 5:16 or 5:18.

now: This word refers in general to the era of salvation in Christ. Here are other ways to translate this word:

at this time
-or-
there is no longer God’s punishment for us

for those who are in Christ Jesus:
Here the word for indicates that “no condemnation” applies to those who are in Christ Jesus. God does not now condemn them (and he will not condemn them later).

those who are in Christ Jesus: Here the word in indicates that believers are joined with Jesus in a close relationship. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

those who are united with Christ Jesus (Revised English Bible)
-or-
we walk with Jesus Christ
-or-
us who are connected with Kristus Yesus

See how you translated in Christ Jesus in 6:11 or 6:23.

Christ Jesus: The order of the words Christ Jesus emphasizes that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. See how you translated this phrase in 1:1 or 6:23.

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