Romans, Chapter 8
Commentary
8:1-The solution to the bondage of sin and death, the condemnation and judgement of the law, and the alienation of the human will from human behavior is found in the lordship of the risen savior, Jesus Christ. The good that Christ willed to do, he did, and the evil which he was tempted to do, that he did not do, for he knew the Father's will; indeed, as the divine Logos (Word, cf. John 1:1), he was the very wisdom and knowledge of God incarnate. Though we are faithless, God is faithful, for he cannot deny himself, that is, his own Son (2 Timothy 2:13).
It is through Christ's death and resurrection that we are justified, "wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us,3 and received by faith alone." (Westminster Shorter Catechism). There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Condemnation does not linger, it is not reduced, it is not mitigated. It is eliminated. By Christ's perfect obedience to the law, we receive by imputation perfect obedience. By his death under the law, we receive by imputation a fulfilled sentence for our sin.
8:2-We follow a new law, that of the Holy Spirit. Paradoxically, freedom from Christ is bondage (to sin), while bondage to Christ is freedom. Those who say they will not have Christ as their master, are mastered by their own passions and will. Those who have Christ as their master are able to conquer their sinful passions.
8:3-
8:1-The solution to the bondage of sin and death, the condemnation and judgement of the law, and the alienation of the human will from human behavior is found in the lordship of the risen savior, Jesus Christ. The good that Christ willed to do, he did, and the evil which he was tempted to do, that he did not do, for he knew the Father's will; indeed, as the divine Logos (Word, cf. John 1:1), he was the very wisdom and knowledge of God incarnate. Though we are faithless, God is faithful, for he cannot deny himself, that is, his own Son (2 Timothy 2:13).
It is through Christ's death and resurrection that we are justified, "wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us,3 and received by faith alone." (Westminster Shorter Catechism). There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Condemnation does not linger, it is not reduced, it is not mitigated. It is eliminated. By Christ's perfect obedience to the law, we receive by imputation perfect obedience. By his death under the law, we receive by imputation a fulfilled sentence for our sin.
8:2-We follow a new law, that of the Holy Spirit. Paradoxically, freedom from Christ is bondage (to sin), while bondage to Christ is freedom. Those who say they will not have Christ as their master, are mastered by their own passions and will. Those who have Christ as their master are able to conquer their sinful passions.
8:3-