(1-9) Their privileges as being the children of God. The second, relating to the present, is, It is God that justifieth. Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ — Dwelling and governing in him. Study the bible online using commentary on Romans 8 and more! Nor principalities, nor powers — Not even those of the highest rank, or the most eminent power. But the nation of the Jews were chosen to be the people of God, and were therefore styled, "the children" or "sons of God," Deuteronomy 14:1; "holy people," Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; "a chosen seed," Deuteronomy 4:37; "the elect," Isaiah 41:8,9; 43:10; "the called of God," Isaiah 48:12. The more we know of other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel mysteries, the more we are affected by them. Verses 1-9 Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. It has brought on the woes of earth; it has kindled the flames of hell. By Christ we are thus secured. Adam only made it liable to the sentence which God pronounced; yet not without hope. partly dissemble, their groans, yet) in their sober, quiet, sleepless, afflicted hours, pour forth many sighs in the ear of God. Will any man say, he was wiser before the creation than since? [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Those who stand out against the gospel call, abide under guilt and wrath. The apostle speaks as one amazed, and swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. © 2020 Christianity.com. And whom he called — When obedient to the heavenly calling, Acts 26:19. But the Spirit is life — Already truly alive. Who maketh intercession for us — Presenting there his obedience, his sufferings, his prayers, and our prayers sanctified through him. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. Will, then, any part of the creation be destroyed? Verses 32-39 All things whatever, in heaven and earth, are not so great a display of God's free love, as the gift of his coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of man; and all the rest follows upon union with him, and interest in him. Our having received the first-fruits of the Spirit, quickens our desires, encourages our hopes, and raises our expectations. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? And they are used, or abused rather, by men as instruments of sin. [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. How vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world, concerning the sufferings of this present time! He is there, making intercession. God's elect — The above-cited author observes, that long before the coming of Christ the heathen world revolted from the true God, and were therefore reprobated, or rejected. Likewise the Spirit — Nay, not only the universe, not only the children of God, but the Spirit of God also himself, as it were, groaneth, while he helpeth our infirmities, or weaknesses. But those who are sanctified, have God's Spirit witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. 5:6 ) sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The law of the Spirit — That is, the gospel. For the earnest expectation — The word denotes a lively hope of something drawing near, and a vehement longing after it. Indeed the whole creation seems to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall be manifested in the glory prepared for them. All other hazards signify nothing. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubtings, but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe on Him who justifies the ungodly. He glorified — He speaks as one looking back from the goal, upon the race of faith. The depth — For the great abyss: that is, neither the heights, I will not say of walls, mountains, seas, but, of heaven itself, can move us; nor the abyss itself, the very thought of which might astonish the boldest creature. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Into the glorious liberty - The excellent state wherein they were created. And we know — This in general; though we do not always know particularly what to pray for. Believer! From this hope they cannot be turned by the vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We are not debtors to the flesh — We ought not to follow it. Of this how fearfully regardless are the bulk of mankind! [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (10-17) Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. and acceptable to him. The body indeed is dead — Devoted to death. Yea rather, that is risen — Our faith should not stop at his death, but be exercised farther on his resurrection, kingdom, second coming. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (28-31) Their final triumph, through Christ. The power of corruption being broken in effectual calling, and the guilt of sin removed in justification, nothing can come between that soul and glory. Read Romans 8 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise). To explain this (nearly in the words of an eminent writer) a little more at large:-When a man has a work of time and importance before him, he pauses, consults, and contrives; and when he has laid a plan, resolves or decrees to proceed accordingly. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Abba, Father — The latter word explains the former. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The third, relating to the future, is, It is Christ that died - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. It can guide us, teach us, and tell us about God’s character. This encourages our faith and hope; for, as for God, his way, his work, is perfect. Let us then, by the Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. The spirit of bondage here seems directly to mean, those operations of the Holy Spirit by which the soul, on its first conviction, feels itself in bondage to sin, to the world, to Satan, and obnoxious to the wrath of God. Might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit — Who are guided in all our thoughts, words, and actions, not by corrupt nature, but by the Spirit of God. For I reckon — This verse gives the reason why he but now mentioned sufferings and glory. This is only a popular representation of his infallible knowledge and unchangeable wisdom; that is, he does all things as wisely as a man can possibly do, after the deepest consultation, and as steadily pursues the most proper method as one can do who has laid a scheme beforehand. Salem Media Group. All Rights Reserved. And even we, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit — That is, the Spirit, who is the first-fruits of our inheritance. Of the creation — Of all visible creatures, believers excepted, who are spoken of apart; each kind, according as it is capable. It does not appear that even good men were ever termed God's elect till above two thousand years from the creation. All rights reserved. For we are saved by hope — Our salvation is now only in hope. So at the general resurrection, when the body itself is redeemed from death, the sons of God shall be publicly owned by him in the great assembly of men and angels. Men may justify themselves, though the accusations are in full force against them; but if God justifies, that answers all. If God be for us — Here follow four periods, one general and three particular. Now if Christ be in you — Where the Spirit of Christ is, there is Christ. You may even live to see and seek your parting. [26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. The height — In St. Paul's sublime style, is put for heaven. We are accounted — By our enemies; by ourselves. Now he comes to deliverance and liberty. And hence it is easy to see why such of them as would not receive him were styled reprobated. How many great and various things are contained in these words, we do not, need not, cannot know yet. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring them back again. Who is he that condemneth? [Our spirit is human, 1 Corinthians 2:11; and therefore its testimony is in itself not infallible, Malachi 2:16.—V. Yea, when death comes, that breaks all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer's soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment of him for ever. The love of God, ruling in the hearts of those who once were enemies to him, proves that they have been called according to his purpose. Work together for good — Strongly and sweetly for spiritual and eternal good. Join Profs. We more than conquer — We are not only no losers, but abundant gainers, by all these trials. Yet this deplorable state of the creation is in hope. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Psalms 44:22. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. Hath freed me from the law of sin and death — That is, the Mosaic dispensation. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter. To separate us from the love of God in Christ — Which will surely save, protect, deliver us who believe in, and through, and from, them all. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? He delivered him up for us all; therefore, none can lay anything to our charge.