(12) So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
(13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
(14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
(15) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
(16) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
(17) and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
In this section of Scripture we are introduced to the concept of adoption into the family of God. What does it mean to be adopted?
In verses 12-13 we learn that we no longer are under obligation or debt to live in the old worldly lifestyle. Our flesh or carnal nature no longer “lords” it over us. We are given the freedom and liberty to live unto God and to please Him rather than satisfy the cravings of the flesh.
JFB
ye shall live--in the sense of Rom 6:22. The apostle is not satisfied with assuring them that they are under no obligations to the flesh, to hearken to its suggestions, without reminding them where it will end if they do; and he uses the word "mortify" (put to death) as a kind of play upon the word "die" just before. "If ye do not kill sin, it will kill you." But he tempers this by the bright alternative that if they do, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, such a course will infallibly terminate in "life" everlasting.
There are times when we all read the bible too fast and miss precious gems like the one above. The end of sin is death so we must kill it before it kills us. Do you get the sense from the passage that we are to be serious about the sin in our lives? Treat sin in the same way you would a poisonous snake that has crept into your house. Get it out now!!
Verse 14 gives us the second blessing of adoption – being led by the Spirit.
Matthew Henry's commentary
1. All that are Christ’s are taken into the relation of Children to God, v. 14. Observe (1.) Their property: They are led by the Spirit of God, as a scholar in his learning is led by his tutor, as a traveler in his journey is led by his guide, as a soldier in his engagements is led by his captain; not driven as beasts, but led as rational creatures, drawn with the cords of a man and the bands of love. It is the undoubted character of all true believers that they are led by the Spirit of God. Having submitted themselves in believing to his guidance, they do in their obedience follow that guidance, and are sweetly led into all truth and all duty.
This blessing belongs to those who are the sons of God i.e. every Christian. It is not reserved for the super spiritual. Of course, not every Christian listens and obeys the leading of the Spirit to the same degree – but the leading is provided nonetheless.
Spirit filled life study Bible
8:14 The phrase as many as are led by the Spirit of God is more than a synonym for Christians. It describes the life-style of those who are sons of God. Paul is giving encouragement not to live according to the flesh but to put to death the deeds of the body (v. 13). Therefore, being “led by the Spirit of God” involves progressively putting to death the sinful appetites of the lower nature. This implies that, while all Christians are in some general sense being “led by the Spirit of God,” there are increasing degrees of being led by the Spirit. The more fully people are led by the Holy Spirit, the more completely will they be obedient to God and be conformed to His holy standards.
Since the Greek word translated led is a present participle, it may be translated, “as many as are continually being led by the Spirit of God.” This leading is not to be restricted to objective knowledge of the commands of Scripture and conscious effort to obey them (though it most certainly includes that). Rather, it more fully includes the subjective factor of being sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit throughout the day, promptings that if genuinely from the Holy Spirit will never encourage us to act contrary to Scripture.
It would be inconceivable for a godly father not to lead his children – that is his job according to Scripture. In the same manner, our Father leads us.
New Geneva study Bible
8:14 This way of holiness is now further described as the leading of the Spirit and is specified as the mark of God’s sons. The language of “leading” is reminiscent of the “adoption” and leading of Israel in the Exodus and wilderness, which may be the background to Paul’s thought here (9:4; Deut. 8:2, 15; 29:5).
| Liberty and freedom |
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The United States of America is free because it was founded by Christians who understood this principle. Liberty and freedom are Christian principles understood by Christian men who read the bible for themselves. |
Believer’s Study Bible
8:15 “Adoption” constitutes another of those remarkable concepts which biblical writers used in order to explain the relationship which the disciple enjoys with his God. When the Christian is “born again,” his filial relationship to the family of God is bestowed upon him in adoption. There is only one Son of God who is in essence God. But many are made sons through adoption (John 1:12). Note that Paul speaks of the “Spirit of adoption,” which is the believer’s present possession; whereas the actual act of reception into God’s heavenly family awaits the redemption of the body at the revelation of Christ (v. 23). Though we were formerly alienated from God, our adoption makes possible a remarkably intimate relationship with God in which we address Him as “Abba,” the Aramaic word of endearment for “Father.” While all men are the creation of God, only the regenerate are His sons by adoption. This sonship is so personal and intimate that the believer may feel perfect confidence in addressing God as “Abba.”
Now we discover another amazing truth – the Spirit bears witness with our spirit. In Scripture, nothing is verified unless two witnesses agree to it. In the case of our adoption as sons of God – the Scripture itself is one witness and the Spirit of God is the other. How do you know you are truly born again? You have done what the Scripture says you must do (Rom 10:9-10) and the Holy Spirit inside of you lets your spirit know that the work is done.
Believer's Bible Commentary
8:16 There is a spiritual instinct in the newborn believer that he is a son of God. The Holy Spirit tells him that it is so. The Spirit Himself bears witness with the believer’s spirit that he is a member of God’s family. He does it primarily through the word of God. As a Christian reads the Bible, the Spirit confirms the truth that, because he has trusted the Savior, he is now a child of God.
