Romans 8, parts 4

SO IT HAS BEEN so long since I published my Romans Bible studies. I have not stopped studying and teaching from Romans (we are in chapter 8 now), but I have taken a lot of time off from publishing them in an organized way here on my AS IT IS WRITTEN blog.

To anyone interested in looking closely at Romans, please read this study and the ones listed on my sidebar. Grace be with you.

Romans Chapter 8, part 4

Text: Romans 8:15-18

Study Notes:

Verse 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!"

Q & A: What spirit have Christians not received? What spirit have Christians received? What is your concept of the Christian? Do you view the Christian life as one of fear and slavery, or as one of adoption and being the very children of God?

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Paul says that believers have received Him as the Spirit of adoption. The reason there cannot be any condemnation for a true Christian, is because Christians have received the very Spirit of the Son of God. He is not a spirit of fear that brings us under slavery, but of adoption as the very children of God the Father. Christians do not need to fear judgment, since God has not only taken away their judgment through Jesus Christ, but by His Spirit has sealed them as His very own children, for whom He has provided an eternal inheritance. It is by His Spirit that we cry out as children, calling Him "Abba", "Father!" God is the Father of those who are saved, and therefore He will never abandon any of His children to condemnation. He loves Christians as His own.


Verse 16-17: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.

Q & A: What does the Spirit himself do with the spirit of those who are adopted? What does He witness to them about? What does it mean to be a child of God? What must happen in order for Christians to be glorified with Christ?


Verse 18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Q & A: What does Paul consider is not worthy to be compared with the future glory? What sufferings do you think is he referring to? What do you think the glory he refers to is all about?

Concluding now that Christians are called to suffer with Christ, Paul considers with reason that these present sufferings can't be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. That glory is the glory of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. My friends whom I love dearly, do you believe this? Do you really believe it??