Read & explore together
Walking by the Spirit
Romans 8:1–11 teaches the difference between life directed by the flesh and life directed by the Spirit. Paul begins with no condemnation in Christ and ends with the Spirit’s life-giving work.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Romans is written as teaching, using close contrasts to explain what God has done in Christ Jesus. Paul speaks about condemnation and freedom, flesh and Spirit, death and life, God sending his own Son for sin, and the Spirit of God dwelling in people who belong to Christ.
Romans 8:1–11Main takeaway
Paul teaches that those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation and are to live with minds set on the things of the Spirit.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01No condemnation and freedomPaul opens with a present declaration: there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Explanation
Paul opens with a present declaration: there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. He joins this with walking according to the Spirit. He then says the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made him free from the law of sin and of death.
02What God did through his SonPaul says the law could not do what was needed because it was weak through the flesh. God acted by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin.
Explanation
Paul says the law could not do what was needed because it was weak through the flesh. God acted by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. In this way, sin was condemned in the flesh, so the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit.
03Two ways of setting the mindThe passage next contrasts two mindsets. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.
Explanation
The passage next contrasts two mindsets. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Paul says the mind of the flesh is death, while the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.
04The Spirit dwelling in believersPaul explains that the mind of the flesh is hostile to God and cannot please him. Then he tells his readers they are in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in them.
Explanation
Paul explains that the mind of the flesh is hostile to God and cannot please him. Then he tells his readers they are in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in them. If Christ is in them, there is life because of righteousness, and the God who raised Jesus will also give life to their mortal bodies through his Spirit.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul say is true now for those who are in Christ Jesus?
Look at Paul’s opening statement and notice the walking language included in the same verse.
02How does Paul describe the difference between the mind of the flesh and the mind of the Spirit?
Compare what each mind is set on and the result Paul gives to each one.
03How does Paul connect belonging to Christ with the Spirit dwelling in a person?
Notice the phrases about the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and life given to mortal bodies.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 8:1–11
1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
3For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
7because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.
8Those who are in the flesh can’t please God.
9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.
10If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.