In the meantime we should look forward with hope to what God has promised and patiently endure present sufferings (cf. Romans 5:4)."The point of these two verses is that the attitude of hope, so distinctive of the Christian, implies that there is more in store for him than anything that is his already." [Note: Sanday and Headlam, p. 210.] read more
The New Life in Cheist in relation to God and the SpiritIt was shown in Romans 5:12. that condemnation for the guilt of sin is done away by justification through faith in Christ. The question as to the power of sin then arose, answered by the doctrine of sanctification in Romans 6-8. In Romans 6 it is asserted that the union of the Christian with Christ is a new condition, which involves death with Him to sin and resurrection to newness of life. In Romans 7 it is made clear that there is no... read more
(18-25) The mention of “suffering” and of “glory” recalls the Apostle to a sense of his own position—what he had to go through, and what was the hope that he had to animate and encourage him. A vivid impression of the stormy life of the Apostle at this period is given by Acts 19:23-41; 2 Corinthians 6:4-5; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. But he counted it as nothing (Philippians 3:8) as compared with his triumphant out-look into the future. Here, then, there follows a statement of the nature of the... read more
(25) If salvation were something that could be seen, something that could be grasped by sight, then there would be no room for hope. As it is we do not see it; we do hope for it; and, therefore, we patiently endure the sufferings that lie upon the road to it. read more
In Christ Romans 8:1 The words 'In Christ' have been very happily termed 'Paul's Monogram'. They were first used in the text as a definite description of the child of God, and it is interesting to see how Paul gradually worked up to it. He used different prepositions concerning the Lord Jesus in the Epistle to the Romans until he wrote the wonderful word 'in'. The two words 'In Christ' gave Paul a view which never passed away, and he began only to think of himself and of others, the loved ones... read more
Chapter 18HOLINESS BY THE SPIRIT, AND THE GLORIES THAT SHALL FOLLOWRomans 8:12-25Now the Apostle goes on to develop these noble premisses into conclusions. How true to himself, and to his Inspirer, is the line he follows! First come the most practical possible of reminders of duty; then, and in profound connection, the inmost experiences of the regenerate soul in both its joy and its sorrow, and the most radiant and far-reaching prospects of glory to come. We listen still, always remembering... read more
CHAPTER 8 1. In Christ; no Condemnation but Deliverance. (Romans 8:1-4 .) 2. Flesh and Spirit. (Romans 8:5-8 .) 3. The Body and the Spirit. (Romans 8:9-11 .) 4. Sons and Heirs of God. (Romans 8:12-17 .) 5. The Time of Travail and Groaning; the Future Redemption. (Romans 8:18-25 .) 6. The intercession of the Spirit. (Romans 8:26-27 .) 7. The Saints Calling; the Challenge and the Assurance. (Romans 8:28-39 .) Romans 8:1-4 . We have reached the mountain-top of this great Epistle. What man... read more
Deliverance Simply by God's Truth We come now, in the first four verses here, to the deliverance itself. Is this to be by means of experience? A mere glance at the verses will show us it is decidedly not so. Experience does not, and cannot produce liberty. Liberty, on the other hand, when known, is in itself an experience. But the means of finding liberty experimentally, rests altogether upon the testimony of God. What can be more striking than that here we have but a few pointed, absolute... read more
VICTORY AND SECURITY That part of chapter 7 on which we now enter is biographical, giving Paul’s experience at a period when, though, regenerated, he was still living under the law and in ignorance of the deliverance to be had in Christ. It is a revelation that the believer possesses two natures that of the first Adam received at his physical birth, and that of the second Adam received in regeneration by the Holy Spirit through faith. The man here described has been baptized into Jesus... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 8:18-25
3. Our present sufferings and future glory 8:18-25Paul proceeded to expound on the thought that he introduced at the end of Romans 8:17. This passage gives a very wide perspective of God’s great plan of redemption, which is the heart of Paul’s theology. [Note: See Don N. Howell Jr., "The Center of Pauline Theology," Bibliotheca Sacra 151:601 (January-March 1994):50-70.] read more