Romans 8:1 English Standard Version

Life in the Spirit

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.^[a]

Footnotes a. Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)

Break this verse down into its component parts.

Begin with “no condemnation”. Who is it that condemns?

1 Corinthians 4:4 English Standard Version (ESV) For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

It is the Lord who judges all of us and if we are Christ’s we have already been judged, executed, and been placed securely in Christ. Since this devotional is about accusations about faith and this comment is rooted in salvation, we will address these issues later.

Where accusations of faith begin is with those manuscripts that add note a.

There are 18 separate translations which include similar words as noted in footnote a. If we continue with Romans 8 we might understand why this footnote is used.

Only once is walk used in the rest of the chapter. The inclusion of walking in verse 1 footnote is to emphasize the importance of walk being used in verse 4.

Romans 8:4 English Standard Version (ESV) in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

It is important to connect no condemnation with righteousness by walking in the Spirit. Without that connection it is easy to overlook the connection between no condemnation and walking by faith.

Romans 1:17 English Standard Version (ESV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Galatians 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Walking in the Spirit is a life of faith.