APPENDIX Õ STRUCTURE OF ACTS145

dominated by it, is the same mind which now associates itself with the spirit of sonship given to the believer. The

summary is thus given in Romans 7:25 :

`Wherefore, I, the same person, with the mind am indeed subject (douleuo) to the law of God, but with the flesh

to the law of sin' (Author's translation).

The apostle rejoices in his deliverance from such a thraldom. Can we believe, after having endured such agonies

of mind when a Pharisee of the Pharisees, that he could ever allow the yoke of the law to be fixed upon the neck of

the Gentiles? Is not this experience the reason (humanly speaking) for his glorious fight for freedom? Surely no

Jewish believer, having once read Romans 7 with understanding, could ever dream of the law of God taking the

place which God has for ever given to the gospel of grace. Dead and buried lies the old man to the law, and nothing

but death and resurrection with Christ can bring a man from under the threefold dominion of sin, death and law.

We have now before us chapter 8, which commences with the words `No condemnation'. Does this opening

verse read straight on from Romans 7:25? or does it take up the thread of Romans 5:12-21? In chapter 5

condemnation passed upon all men by reason of the one man's act. That has been entirely reversed by the one act of

the Son of God. Chapters 6 and 7 pause in the prosecution of this enquiry to make clear several important items,

among them dealing with the dominion of sin and death, and the law of sin in the members of the individual, and

showing that nothing but the offering of Christ can deliver any from this threefold power. Having disposed of the

idea that the law can be of any service in accomplishing this deliverance, the apostle, now possessed of further

evidence and fuller matter, returns to the original theme and declares that:

`There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus' (Rom. 8:1).

He can also continue, and speak of the law of the spirit of life making him free from the law of sin and death, for

the latter law has been already under view. While the law of conscience, or the law of Moses could never liberate

us, a law nevertheless does, but it is `the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus' (Rom. 8:2). This is essentially

connected with reconciliation. The flesh is seen as fit only for crucifixion, death, and burial. The spirit that can

alone help is essentially, `the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead' (Rom. 8:11). We find that Dr.

Bullinger in his Figures of Speech links Romans 8:1 with Romans 5, and as ours is independent testimony, we feel

that some may be confirmed by the double witness. Dr. Bullinger sets out the structure thus:

5:12-21. Condemnation to death through a single sin of one man; but justification of life through a single

righteous act of one man.

k 6:1 to 7:6.

We are not in sin, having died in Christ.

Sin in us, though we are alive in Christ.

8:1-39.  Condemnation of sin in the flesh, but now NO condemnation to us who are alive unto God in Christ

Jesus, and in whom is Christ.

Romans 8 is in measure an explanation of Romans 6:6 and 7:6. In these two passages we read:

`Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth

we should not SERVE sin'.

`But now we are delivered from the law, having died to that wherein we were held, that we should SERVE in

newness of spirit and not in oldness of letter' (Author's translation).

Without the teaching of Romans 8 we should be left with the impression that in spite of the great importance

which is attached to the law of Moses in the Old Testament Scriptures; in spite of the attitude which the Lord Jesus

Christ took with regard to it; in spite of the fact that therein is reflected the moral glory of God, and the Divine

guidance for man, nevertheless, the only thing the law did was to work wrath, stir up sin, and show man his utter

failure. That law, however, is in itself holy, just, good, and spiritual, and Romans 8 brings forward the idea that

while it has never yet been obeyed by man, this is not because of any defect in the law, but by reason of the fact that