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Scott's Reference Library
Romans 8:12 through Romans 8:17 (NIV)
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful
nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful
nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the
body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons
of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now
if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if
indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 10-17
If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace
in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy
happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed,
secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is
our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually
live according to corrupt lustings, they will certainly perish in their sins,
whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment
to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the
Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy
Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And
the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children;
they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under,
through the darkness of that dispensation. The Spirit of adoption was not then
plentifully poured out. Also it refers to that spirit of bondage, under which
many saints were at their conversion. Many speak peace to themselves, to whom
God does not speak peace. But those who are sanctified, have God’s Spirit
witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. Though
we may now seem to be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by
him in the end.