 |  |
relationship between the close of the chapter and its opening, we set out the
structure of the chapter as a whole.
Romans 8:1 -39
A 1 -4.
No condemnation. God sent His own son (huios).
B 5 -15.
Led by the Spirit of God. sons now (huios).
C 15 -17.
Spirit Itself bears witness sonship (huiothesia).
D 17 -21.
Suffering and Glory
Manifestation of sons (huios).
C 22 -28.
Spirit Itself intercedes. sonship (huiothesia).
B 29,30.
Conformed to the Image of His son then (huios).
A 31 -39.
Who condemns? He spared not His own son (huios).
It will be observed, we trust with joy, that God's answer throughout
the varied experiences of this chapter is to be found in 'His Son' and our
'sonship' in Him.
The opening member (8:1 -4) deals with the subject of 'no condemnation'
stated doctrinally, in its Godward aspect. The law of the spirit of life in
Christ Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death; and the utter
failure of the flesh in respect to obedience and righteousness is met by the
gift of God's Son, Who 'by a sacrifice for sin, condemned sin in the flesh'
(margin 8:3). The closing member likewise deals with the subject of 'no
condemnation', but approaches it from the experimental standpoint, viewing it
not so much from the angle of the law, as in relation to suffering and trial.
And just as 'His Son' proved an all -sufficient answer to the failure of the
flesh, so again He provides an all -sufficient answer to the conscious
weakness of the flesh. In the opening section we are 'free from the law of
sin and death'; in the closing section we are 'more than conquerors' in the
midst of tribulation, and cannot be separated by either death or life.
The theme of this last section (Rom. 8:31 -39), is developed by a
series of questions and answers, which can be seen best in the form of a
structure:
Romans 8:31 -39
A
31.
question
What shall we then say to these things?
B
31.
answer
If God be for us, who can be against us?
C
32.
argument:
How? He spared not His own Son.
A
33.
question
Who shall lay anything to the
charge of God's elect?
B
33.
answer
It is God that justifieth.
A
34.
question
Who is he that condemneth?
B
34.
answer
It is Christ that died.
C
34.
argument:
Yea, rather. Risen.
Right Hand.
A
35.
question
Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ?
B
37.
answer
We are more than conquerors
in all these things.
C
35 -39. argument:
a Seven phases of
I am
earthly trials.