Verses 8:5–13

DIGGING DEEPER

Here Paul began to elaborate the difference between “flesh” and “Spirit.” This distinction is difficult to grasp because both terms have more than one meaning. To “walk according to the flesh” (v. 4) means to carry out in conduct what the human nature desires. To “be according to the flesh” (v. 5) means to allow the human nature to dominate one’s life. To “be in the flesh” (v. 8) is to be unregenerate, to be devoid of the Spirit. (Constable pg 97)

SOME KEY IDEAS FROM THIS WEEK’S PASSAGE

FLESH & SPIRIT — 5 In vv. 5–13, Paul continues to use this opposition between flesh and Spirit to expand on the life that is given to believers in and through God’s Spirit. He begins by asserting again the unbreakable connection between Spirit and life on the one hand and flesh and death on the other (vv. 5–8). His purpose here is more on the negative side, as he elaborates particularly on the “weakness of the flesh” (v. 3a; cf. 7:14–25). Paul then (vv. 9–11) turns to a more positive point, as he expresses his confidence that the Romans themselves are firmly on the “Spirit” side of this contrast (cf. vv. 3b-4).” In the concluding verses of this section (vv. 12–13), however, Paul reminds his readers that the life-giving power of God’s Spirit is finally effective only in those who continue to let the Spirit change their lives.

The antithesis between flesh and Spirit stated in v. 4b in terms of“walking according to’ is pursued in VV. 5–9 with several different expressions:

v. 5a “being according to the flesh/according to the Spirit”

v. 5b: “thinking the things of the flesh/of the Spirit”

v. 6: “the mind of the flesh/Spirit”

vv. 8–9: “being in the flesh/in the Spirit”

To begin at the end of the sequence: what Paul Says in vv. 8–9 makes clear that the contrast between “being in the flesh” and “being in the Spirit” is a contrast between non-Christian and Christian. As in 7:5, Paul uses “in” to connote the idea of “realm,” with flesh and Spirit denoting those “powers” that dominate the two realms of salvation history. To become a Christian means to be transferred from the realm dominated by the flesh to the realm dominated by the Spirit. The “mind” (phronema) of the flesh/Spirit (v. 6) will then denote the mind-set or attitude that characterizes those who belong to these two respective realms, with “thinking” (phronousin) the things of the flesh/Spirit (v. 5b) a rhetorical equivalent. Finally, considering the connection between v.v. 4b and 5, “being according to the flesh/Spirit” and “walking according to the flesh/Spirit” may mean roughly the same thing; the “lifestyle” or daily conduct of a person.” But the logic of Paul’s argument suggests rather that “being according to the flesh” in v. 5 is the same as “being in the flesh” in V. 8. that is, a “positional” rather than a “behavioral” concept. Paul’s purpose in pursuing this series of contrasts is not “paraenetic”; that is, he is not warning Christians about two different possibilities they face in Order to encourage them to live according to the Spirit.” Paul certainly does this, and in language similar to the language here (cf. Gal. 5: 16–26). But, as we have noted, “being in the flesh” (v. 8) is not a possibility for the believer, and when we add to this the lack of any imperatives and the general, third person, language of the paragraph, we are warranted in concluding that Paul’s interest here is descriptive rather than hortatory.” In some sense, then, it is fair to say that Paul is contrasting two groups of people: the converted and the unconverted.” But Paul’s main purpose is to highlight the radical differences between the flesh and the Spirit as a means of showing why only those who “walk/think/are” after the Spirit can have eschatological life.79 This is the connection between vv. 1–4 and vv. 5–8. Life, eschatological life, is conferred only on those who “walk according to the spirit” (cf. v. 4b). “For” those who are “according to the flesh” can never escape death (v. 6); the flesh prevents people from obeying God’s law (v. 7) or from pleasing him (v. 8). It is the Spirit, “the Spirit of life” (v. 2), who reverses this situation, making it possible, through Christ, for believers to “fulfill the law” (v. 4) and to be delivered from condemnation (v. 1). In vy. 9–11 Paul draws out these life-giving consequences of the Spirit. To begin with, however, he notes the basic tendencies of both the flesh and the Spirit (vv. 5–6), and then develops the negative side of the situation in vy, 7–8: the natural situation of the person in this world — life in the flesh — as a situation of death. These verses thus recapitulate the main themes of chap. 7. In vy. 5–6, Paul uses a logical progression to contrast the ends to which the flesh and the Spirit lead. In this progression Paul uses the language of “thinking” as the “middle term” to connect existence determined by flesh or Spirit (“those who are according to flesh/Spirit”) with the contrasting destinies of death on the one hand and life and peace on the other. Both words, “think” in v. 5 and “mind” in v. 6, come from the same Greek root, a root that connotes not a purely mental process but, more broadly, the general direction of the will, encompassing “all the faculties of the soul — reason, understanding, and affections.” (Moo pg 485–7)

MISSIONAL QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• How does this text challenge your preconceived notions about the life of a follower of Jesus?
• How does this passage further improve the way you’d share the Gospel with someone?
• What do you feel the Spirit calling you to do based on the truths of this text?
• What might you need to confess and repent of based on this passage?
• How does this passage Challenge the way you lead or participate in your microchurch?