17.

Freedom from Sin

Romans 8:1-4

Chapter 8 continues Paul’s focus on the fruits and results of justification which the
believer enjoys (5:21; 6:23; 7:25; 8:1,39). In this chapter, Paul is particularly concerned
to show the believer’s triumph over all in the Christian life (8:33) and his freedom from
condemnation in the complete sense (8:1).

This section of the chapter (8:1-4) picks up where Paul left off in Romans 7:24,25. Being
unable to fulfill his desire for right living, Paul cries out to God for deliverance. What he
needs is God’s ability to perform God’s commands, for though he has the desire within
him to obey as the result of the new birth, he does not yet have the ability to actually
obey from within himself.

The connection between chapters seven and eight is seen with the word, ‘therefore.’
Because of what was said previously, ‘therefore.’ Paul now begins to show a more
encouraging aspect of the believer’s current experience of grace, as contrasted with the
unbeliever’s current experience of life (Rom 8:5ff), before going on to explain the duties
and privileges of grace.

Please Read Romans 8:1-4

Verse 1: The word ‘therefore’ is connected with what has gone before, not only with
Romans 7:24 and 25 as has been noted, but also with the entire argument of
justification by faith in Christ Jesus. There is therefore, on the basis of this, no
condemnation for believers (1:16,17; 3:21,24; 5:1,2,6-8,15,21; 7:6).

The word translated as ‘condemnation,’ is probably better translated as ‘penal

servitude.’ The Greek word here, ‘katakrima,’ has the idea of being imprisoned and is
well suited to the context of Romans 7 and 8. Paul has been crying out in Romans 7 for
deliverance from ‘this body of death (7:24,’ and here in Romans 8, Paul expresses the
thought that believers have no need to live as though they were still in penal servitude
to sin, for they have been pardoned in Christ and delivered from sin’s bondage.

Romans Bible Study Series: 17. Freedom from Sin - Romans 8:1-4 1
Believer’s have been reckoned as having died with Christ, having been buried with Him
and having been raised with Him into His resurrected life (6:3-14), and therefore we are
delivered from the guilt of sin. By also having the Spirit within, there is actual freedom
from sin in daily living. There is no doubt about it, we are free from sin’s guilt and also
free from its enslaving power (7:25; 8:2).

The second section of verse one is thought to have been wrongly transferred from verse
four to verse one, as it is absent from many of the extant manuscripts. But the thought
of the verse is that those who are united to Christ Jesus by faith do not regulate their
inward and outward life by the inner principle of sin and death, but by the sanctifying
influence of the Holy Spirit. Sin is no longer the ruler of the Christian, for the Spirit of
God now directs him.

Verse 2: The use of the word ‘for,’ gives us the reason as to why there is ‘no
condemnation (or penal servitude) to those who are in Christ Jesus (8:1).’ The Holy Spirit
is life, giving life both physically and spiritually (Jn 6:63; 2 Cor 3:6; Gal 6:8; Rom 8:11).
The law of the Spirit of life then, is the forceful and effective inner principle and
operation of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of believers enabling them to actually
demonstrate that life through obedience. The Spirit brings us real life on the basis of
Christ’s death and our union with Him.

The work of the Holy Spirit delivers the believer from the remaining corrupting influence
of sin (7:23,25) that seeks to bring him into unwilling servitude (7:14,23; Jer 17:9; Mt
6:12; 1 Jn 1:8,10). His work in us, frees us from this unwilling servitude to sin, enabling
us to serve the Lord (2 Cor 3:17; Gal 5:1,2,13) and not sin.

Verse 3: The word ‘for’ in this verse, is used to prepare us for the basis of the believer’s
freedom as mentioned in verse 2, for it will be explained in this verse.

The Law was unable to give the believer the freedom from sin needed to obey it. It told
us what to do, but gave us no ability to do it. Ability to obey is necessary because of the
power of sin.

But this freedom from the enslaving power of sin was accomplished by God in His Son,
who satisfied Divine justice and set us free from sins power (Mt 21:37; Jn 3:16). This
Christ did by assuming human nature, not as it was from creation, but as it is weakened
by sin, though He Himself was free from sin (2 Cor 5:21; 8:9; Philip 2:7), in order to deal
with sin once for all. In His flesh God condemned and punished the sins of His people (Is
53:4-6,8,11; Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45; Jn 1:29; 10:11,15; Rom 5:6-9,18,19; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal
3:13), breaking the power of sin.

Verse 4: God dealt with our sin in Christ in order that believers might fulfill the righteous
requirements of the Law (Lev 19:18; Deut 6:5; Jer 31:33ff; Ezek 36:26ff; Mt 22:35-40;
23:23; Lk 11:42; Rom 13:9).

Romans Bible Study Series: 17. Freedom from Sin - Romans 8:1-4 2
Having dealt with the power of sin and being now governed by the Holy Spirit, believers
are able to live out the Law in their lives. We no longer regulate our lives according to
the principle of sin, but according to the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit (Gal
5:16-25).

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE: How are we able to prevent indwelling sin
from controlling the way we live?

INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY

What is it to be carnally minded (8:6)?

© All Bible Studies by the author may be freely copied, printed and distributed. We ask only that they
remain unedited (unless approved by Kevin Matthews) and contain the Aussie Outpost name and website
URL: http://particularbaptist.com This Bible Study is by Kevin Matthews. It is asked that this notice be
included as is. Thankyou.

Romans Bible Study Series: 17. Freedom from Sin - Romans 8:1-4 3