Romans - October 12, 2008

SECTION --- Four: Sanctification (6:1-8:39) .
(continued from previous Class Follow Up)


10. (8:9) “dwell” (reside) is used in Romans only at 7:17,18,20 and 8:9,11. As Paul is using the word what does he mean by “dwell in”?
a. “in” = with the Impersonal Dative (impersonal recipient of action) it means “in a car”, “in heaven”, etc. or with the Personal Dative (personal recipient of action), as used here, it means “influenced by”, i.e. does not mean living in someone but “influencing” someone.
11. (8:9) What are your thoughts on flesh and Spirit, i.e., is Spirit referring to the Holy Spirit or the inward man (spirit)?
a. Flesh is not evil nor good, it is just the body’s covering. Paul uses “flesh” as the area where lust or desires are filled or enjoyed {cf. Rom 13:14; 6:6}
b. “in” = as used here with the Personal Dative it means “influenced by”.
c. There are only two master or influences (Satan or Deity), thus, it is a contrast between which master we have a relationship (who is our influence), i.e., whose criteria for doing what one does, serve flesh(as controlled by Mr. Sin) and do what the outward man (flesh) wants or serve the spirit (inward man as controlled by Holy Spirit) and do what the Holy Spirit wants (cf. Rom 7:24; Rom 8:5-6).
d. The Holy Spirit works through the inward man (spirit) using the tools of the inward man — Memory, Reason, Contemplation, Perception, and Judgment — but the Holy Spirit is not the inward man (the part made in the image of God that never dies).
(1) Memory, Reason, Contemplation, Perception, and Judgment (inward man) can be used by Mr. Sin (Satan) or Holy Spirit.
e. It could be Flesh versus Spirit (source of influence is under discussion) or flesh and spirit (area being influenced, i.e., outward man versus inward man is under discussion), but not flesh (what is influence) versus Holy Spirit (source of influence) and still remain a logical contrast.
12. (8:9) Is this verse teaching God has a Spirit, Christ has a Spirit, and there is also a Holy Spirit?
a. No, one not serving master Flesh has only Deity, i.e., all three of the Trinity (God, Son, Spirit), as their master. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and Christ. (cf. Acts 16:6-7 in a version other than KJV)
OBSERVATION (8:9) Paul’s reader’s, who are Christians, i.e., belong to Christ (Rom 1:6-8), do not have a relationship with (i.e., influenced by) the flesh but the Holy Spirit — the Holy Spirit is their master (their master). Paul does not address when their relationship (dwelling) with the Holy Spirit began, it is just stated as a fact for those who are Christ’s disciples (cf. Rom 6:3-4)
13. (8:10) Considering the contrast is it “Spirit” or “spirit”?
a. The outward man (flesh) is dead and the inward man (spirit) is alive.
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A LOOK AHEAD
14. (8:10) Is “dead” and “life” referring to physical, spiritual, or something else?
a.
15. (8:11) The conflict of 7:16 is the inward man wants to serve God but the outward man will not let him. How does this verse prevent the doctrine that our relationship with the Holy Spirit means the inward man can serve God and the outward man can or will continue to serve evil and will not impact their spending eternity with God?
a.
16. (8:12-13) When a disciple of Christ is obligated to the flesh does this mean they are obligated to do evil?
a.
17. (8:12-13) What is meant by “shall die”?
a.
18. What is the eternal consequences of being obligated to the flesh?
a.
19. PONDER: Does “putting to death the deeds of the body” mean just stop doing evil?
a. .
OBSERVATION (8:12-13)
The readers do not have an obligation or a debt to serve the outward man, to strive to please the outward man, to live according to the desired (be they good or bad) of the flesh. For living as if you have a relationship with (serving) the flesh you will die spiritually, if you live as if you have a relationship with (serving) the Holy Sprit you will not die a spiritual death.
20. In what sphere of influence does a son of God live?
a. .
21. Paul does not inform how one is lead by the Holy Spirit, why not?
a.
OBSERVATION (8:14)
Those belonging to God are lead by the Holy Spirit, not feeling, emotions, or desires (be they good or bad) of the flesh. If one ceases to walk in the sphere of Holy Spirit influenced they cease being a son of God, even if they have been baptized to receive remission of their sins.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What does being led by the Holy Spirit mean?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XIII. {Rom 8:15-16} Third Argument
A. Introduction
1. Review — The rectorial question (?) of Rom 6:1-2 has as its foundation Paul’s position justification is by grace, not by any law of merit; including the Law of Moses (Rom 5:15). Those adherents to the concept only a law of merit (Law of Moses) can prevent a person from continuing in sin have suggest without the LOM people will continue to sin because they can. Paul’s position is grace is the means to be Justified before God and grace is also the means to be Sanctified, live a life where sin is not the master, sin is not the standard to be followed. Paul has shown those under a law of merit are not truly free from the guilt of sin — the only way to be free is by the way of Christ (Rom 7:24-25). To this place in Romans 8 Paul has presented two arguments to support his position they are sanctified because they have received Divine help: 1) (8:1-4) Thanks to Jesus Christ there is no condemnation, 2) (8:5-14) Sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit.
2. Preview — (Rom 8:15-16) What the Holy Spirit does for the sons of God (8:14).
B. Question For Discussion?
1. How can those freed from the law of merit know, during trying struggles and conflicts, they are God’s children, thus, not be “wretched”?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (8:15) PONDER: Are they son of God because they received the Spirit?
a.
2. (8:15) Does the word “again” have significance, if so, what is the significance?
a.
3. (8:15) What does Paul mean when he says they received — i.e., how do they receive what they receive, did they have a choice?
a.
4. (8:15) What is the significance of crying out, “Abba! Father!?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:15)
Those in (influenced by) Christ are not wretched, are not filled with fear, for they have a spirit (inward man, attitude) of adoption as God’s son not of fear as a slave to the flesh (outward) as does the man of Rom 7:24 — those under a law of merit.
5. (8:16) PONDER: Readers are called sons of God at 8:14, but children of God here, is there any significance of so what is it?
a.
6. (8:16) What does “beareth witness with” or “testifies with” mean?
a.
7. (8:16) Does this knowledge help the man of Rom 7:24 and if so how does it help?
a.
8. (8:16) PONDER: How does the Holy Spirit bear witness with, not to, the reader’s spirit?
a.
9. (8:16) PONDER: How does the reader’s spirit bear witness with the Holy Spirit?
a.
(OBSERVATION 8:16)
Informs why the readers can know (have confidence) they are not wretched, i.e., the Holy Spirit testifies with their inward man they are set free — they are God’s children.

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How can those freed from the law of merit know, during trying struggles and conflicts, they are God’s children, thus, not be “wretched”?
1.
E. Conclusion —

XIV. {Rom 8:17-25} Fourth Argument — In hope we have been saved