See in Reader
22 KiB
Romans 8
Romans 8:1
Connecting Statement:
Paul gives the answer to the struggle he has with sin and good.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Here "condemnation" refers to the punishment of people. Alternate translation: "God will not condemn and punish those who are joined to Christ Jesus" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
There is therefore now
"For that reason, there is now" or "Because what I have just told you is true, there is now"
Romans 8:2
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
This refers to God's Spirit. Alternate translation: "God's Spirit in Christ Jesus" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
has set you free from the law of sin and death
Being free from the law of sin and death is a metaphor for not being controlled by the law of sin and death. Alternate translation: "has caused the law of sin and death to no longer control you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the law of sin and death
Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) the written law, which provokes people to sin, which in turn causes them to die. Alternate translation: "the law which causes sin and death" or 2) the "different law" (see Romans 7:23) that people sin and die.
Romans 8:3
For what the law was unable to do because it was weak through the flesh, God did
Here the law is described as a person who could not break the power of sin. Alternate translation: "For the law did not have the power to stop us from sinning, because the power of sin within us was too strong. But God did stop us from sinning" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
through the flesh
"because of people's sinful nature"
He ... sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh ... an offering for sin ... he condemned sin
The Son of God forever satisfied God's holy anger against our sin by giving his own body and human life as the eternal sacrifice for sin.
Son
This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
in the likeness of sinful flesh
"who looked like a sinful human being"
to be an offering for sin
"so that he could die as a sacrifice for our sins"
he condemned sin in the flesh
Possible meanings are 1) "flesh" refers to our human nature or lives. Alternate translation: "he destroyed sin in our human nature" or 2) "flesh" refers to Christ's body, and "in the flesh" refers to Christ's death. Alternate translation: "in Christ's flesh God condemned sin" or "by Christ's death God condemned sin." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
he condemned sin
In this verse, "condemned" is a metonym for "destroyed." Alternate translation: "he destroyed sin" or "he broke the power of the sin" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Romans 8:4
the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "we might fulfill what the law requires" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
we who walk not according to the flesh
Walking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. The flesh is an idiom for sinful human nature. Alternate translation: "we who do not obey our sinful desires" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor or rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
but according to the Spirit
"but who obey the Holy Spirit"
Romans 8:5
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Romans 8:6
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to contrast the flesh with the Spirit we now have.
the mind set on the flesh ... the mind set on the Spirit
Here Paul speaks of both the "flesh" and the "spirit" as if they were living persons. Alternate translation: "the way sinful people think ... the way people who listen to the Holy Spirit think" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
death
Here this means the separation of a person from God.
Romans 8:7
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Romans 8:8
Those who are in the flesh
This refers to people who do what their sinful nature tells them to do.
Romans 8:9
in the flesh
"acting according to your sinful natures." See how "the flesh" was translated in Romans 8:5.
in the Spirit
"acting according to the Holy Spirit"
Spirit ... God's Spirit ... Spirit of Christ
These all refer to the Holy Spirit.
if indeed
This phrase does not mean Paul doubts that some of them have God's Spirit. Paul wants them to realize that they all have God's Spirit. Alternate translation: "since" or "because"
Romans 8:10
If Christ is in you
How Christ lives in a person could be made explicit. Alternate translation: "If Christ lives in you through the Holy Spirit" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the body is dead with respect to sin
Possible meanings are 1) a person is spiritually dead to the power of sin or 2) the physical body will still die because of sin. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
the spirit is alive with respect to righteousness
Possible meanings are 1) a person is spiritually alive because God has given him power to do what is right or 2) God will bring the person back to life after he dies because God is righteous and gives believers eternal life. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Romans 8:11
If the Spirit ... lives in you
Paul assumes that the Holy Spirit lives in his readers. Alternate translation: "Since the Spirit ... lives in you"
of him who raised ... from the dead lives
"of God, who raised ... from the dead, lives"
raised Jesus
Here to raise is an idiom for causing someone who has died to become alive again. Alternate translation: "caused Jesus to live again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
mortal bodies through his Spirit
"physical bodies through his Spirit" or "bodies, which will die someday, through his Spirit"
Romans 8:12
So then
"Because what I have just told you is true"
brothers
Here this means fellow Christians, including both men and women.
we are debtors, but not to
Paul is speaking of obedience as if it were paying back a debt. Alternate translation: "we need to obey, but not" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
but not to the flesh to live according to the flesh
Again Paul speaks of obedience as if it were paying back a debt. You can include the implied word "debtors." Alternate translation: "but we are not debtors to the flesh, and we do not have to obey our sinful desires" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh
"Because if you live only to please your sinful desires"
you are about to die
"you will certainly be separated from God"
but if by the Spirit you put to death the body's actions
Paul speaks of the "old man," crucified with Christ, as the person who is responsible for his sinful desires. Alternate translation: "but if by the power of the Holy Spirit you stop obeying your sinful desires" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "For all the people whom the Spirit of God leads" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
sons of God
Here this means all believers in Jesus and is often translated as "children of God."
Romans 8:15
by which we cry
"who causes us to cry out"
Abba, Father
"Abba" is "Father" in the Aramaic language. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-unknown and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Romans 8:16
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Romans 8:17
heirs of God
Paul speaks of the Christian believers as if they will inherit property and wealth from a family member. Alternate translation: "and we also will one day receive what God has promised us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
we are joint heirs with Christ
Paul speaks of the Christian believers as if they will inherit property and wealth from a family member. God will give to us what he gives to Christ. Alternate translation: "we will also receive what God has promised us and Christ together" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
that we may also be glorified with him
God will honor Christian believers when he honors Christ. You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "that God may glorify us along with him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Romans 8:18
Connecting Statement:
Paul begins to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
For
This emphasizes "I consider." It does not mean "because."
I consider that ... are not worthy to be compared with
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "I cannot compare ... with" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
will be revealed
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "God will reveal" or "God will make known" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Romans 8:19
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
the eager expectation of the creation waits for
Paul describes everything that God created as a person who eagerly waits for something. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
for the revealing of the sons of God
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "for the time when God will reveal his children" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
sons of God
Here this means all believers in Jesus. You can also translate this as "children of God."
Romans 8:20
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
For the creation was subjected to futility
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "For God caused what he had created to be unable to achieve what he intended" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it
Here Paul describes "creation" as a person who can desire. Alternate translation: "not because this is what the created things wanted, but because it is what God wanted" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
in hope
Here the word "hope" is confident expectation that what one desires really will happen. The abstract noun "hope" can be translated here with the verbs "confidently expect" or "confidently wait." God could be absolutely sure that what he intended would happen. Alternate translation: "confidently expecting" or "confidently waiting" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Romans 8:21
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
the creation itself will be delivered
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "God will save creation" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
from slavery to decay
Here being in slavery to decay is a metaphor for being certain to decay. Alternate translation: "from being like a slave to decay" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
that it will be brought into the freedom of the glory of the children of God
"Freedom" here is in contrast with slavery to decay. It is a metaphor meaning that the creation will not decay. Alternate translation: "that it will become gloriously free from decay like the children of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Romans 8:22
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors in pain together even now
The creation is compared to a woman groaning while giving birth to a baby. Alternate translation: "For we know that everything that God created wants to be free and groans for it the way a woman giving birth groans for her baby to be born" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Romans 8:23
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our body
The abstract nouns "adoption" and "redemption" can be stated as verbs. Alternate translation: "as we wait eagerly for God to adopt us and redeem our bodies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Romans 8:24
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues to remind the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
For in this hope we were saved
This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are 1) "For God saved us so that we might have this hope" 2) "For God saved us because we have this hope" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
in this hope we were saved
Here the word "hope" is a person's confident expectation that what he desires really will happen. The abstract noun "hope" can be translated here with the verbs "confidently expect" or "confidently wait" or "trust." Alternate translation: "it was so that we might confidently wait for this that we were saved" or "we were saved that we might trust God to do this"
this hope
The phrase "this hope" refers to the hope of our adoption, the redemption of our bodies (8:23).
Now hope that is seen is not hope
"Hope that is seen" is hope that has already been fulfilled. Alternate translation: "If we already have what we hope for, that is not hope" or "If we have what we want, we would not say that we hope for it"
For who hopes for what he can see?
Paul uses a question to help his audience understand what "hope" is. Alternate translation: "No one hopes for what he already has." or "No one waits for what has already happened." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Romans 8:25
Connecting Statement:
Paul finishes reminding the believers in Rome that sometime in the future, God will change their bodies in a glorious way.
if we hope for what we do not see
Here the word "hope" means confidently expect that what one desires will happen. The person who hopes in this way believes that what he desires will happen. Alternate translation: "If we confidently expect to receive what we do not see" or "if we trust God for what we do not see"
what we do not see
Not seeing what we hope for represents not yet having it or experiencing it. Alternate translation: "what we do not yet have" or "what has not yet happened"
we wait for it with patience
"we wait for it patiently"
Romans 8:26
Connecting Statement:
Though Paul has been emphasizing that there is a struggle in believers between the flesh and the Spirit, he affirms that the Spirit is aiding us.
inexpressible groans
"groanings that we cannot express in words"
Romans 8:27
He who searches the hearts knows
Here "He" refers to God. Here "hearts" is a metonym for a person's thoughts and emotions. The phrase "searches the hearts" is a metaphor for examining thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: "God, who knows all our thoughts and feelings, knows" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Romans 8:28
Connecting Statement:
Paul reminds the believers that nothing can separate them from God's love.
for those who are called
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "for those whom God chose" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Romans 8:29
those whom he foreknew
"those whom he knew before he even created them"
he also predestined to be conformed
"he also planned in advance that they would be conformed"
to be conformed to the image of his Son
You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "that he would change them to be like his Son" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Son
This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
that he might be the firstborn
"so that his Son would be the firstborn"
among many brothers
Here "brothers" refers to all believers, both male and female. Alternate translation: "among many brothers and sisters who belong to the family of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Romans 8:30
Those whom he predestined
"Those whom God made plans for in advance"
these he also justified
Here "justified" is in the past tense to emphasize that this will certainly happen. Alternate translation: "these he also put right with himself" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
these he also glorified
The word "glorified" is in the past tense to emphasize that this will certainly happen. Alternate translation: "these he will also glorify" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Paul uses questions to emphasize the main point of what he said previously. Alternate translation: "This is what we should know from all of this: since God is helping us, no one can defeat us." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son
God the Father sent the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to the cross as the holy, infinite sacrifice necessary to satisfy God's infinite, holy nature against the sin of humanity. Here "Son" is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
but delivered him up
"but put him under the control of his enemies"
how will he not also with him freely give us all things?
Paul is using a question for emphasis. Alternate translation: "he will certainly and freely give us all things!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
freely give us all things
"kindly give us all things"
Romans 8:33
Who will bring any accusation against God's chosen ones? God is the one who justifies
Paul uses a question for emphasis. Alternate translation: "No one can accuse us before God because he is the one who makes us right with him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Romans 8:34
Who is the one who condemns?
Paul uses a question for emphasis. He does not expect an answer. Alternate translation: "No one will condemn us!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
who is at the right hand of God
To be at the "right hand of God" is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. Alternate translation: "who is at the place of honor beside God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Romans 8:35
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Paul uses this question to teach that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Alternate translation: "No one will ever separate us from the love of Christ!" or "Nothing will ever separate us from the love of Christ!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
The words "shall separate us from the love of Christ" are understood from the previous question. Alternate translation: "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword separate us from the love of Christ?" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Paul uses this question to emphasize that even these things cannot separate us from the love of Christ. Alternate translation: "Even tribulation, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, and sword cannot separate us from the love of Christ." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
The abstract nouns can be expressed with verb phrases. Here "sword" is a metonym that represents being killed violently. Alternate translation: "Even if people cause us trouble, hurt us, take away our clothes and food, or kill us, they cannot separate us from the love of Christ." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Tribulation, or distress
These words both mean the same thing. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
Romans 8:36
For your benefit
Here "your" is singular and refers to God. Alternate translation: "For you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
we are killed all day long
Here "we" refers to the writer and to other people, but not his audience, who was God. The phrase "all day long" is an exaggeration to emphasize how much danger they are in. Paul uses this part of Scripture to show that all who belong to God should expect difficult times. This can be translated in an active form. Alternate translation: "our enemies continually seek to kill us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
We were considered as sheep for the slaughter
Here Paul compares to livestock those whom people kill because they are loyal to God. You can translate this in an active form. Alternate translation: "Our lives have no more value to them than the sheep they kill" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Romans 8:37
we are more than conquerors
"we have complete victory"
through the one who loved us
You can make explicit the kind of love that Jesus showed. Alternate translation: "because of Jesus, who loved us so much he was willing to die for us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Romans 8:38
I have been convinced
"I am convinced" or "I am confident"
governments
Possible meanings are 1) demons or 2) human kings and rulers.
nor powers
Possible meanings are 1) spiritual beings with power or 2) human beings with power.
Romans 8:39
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.