Romans 8:1-11 Discussion Questions
1) Once again, Paul begins this section with "therefore". What connection is there between what he has just said and what he goes on to say. How does Romans 8:1-4 connect with the main themes found in Romans 7?
2) Paul declares exuberantly that "there is no condemnation for those in Messiah, Jesus!" This assurance can only be fully appreciated once we have pondered carefully the seriousness of sin and the reality of God's judgment. What words of Paul's in Romans so far have given you a deeper picture of the seriousness of sin and the reality of God's judgment?
3) Verses 3-4 provide an overall summary of Paul's theology of the cross. Looking closely at verses 3-4, what is the significance of each underlined phrase below. I have used NT Wright's translation, you can view a number of different translations here: Romans 8.3-4 Translations
For God has done what the law (being weak because of human flesh) was incapable of doing. God sent his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as a sin offering; and right there in the flesh, he condemned sin. 4 This was in order that the right and proper verdict of the law could be fulfilled in us, as we live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.
4) In verses 5-11 Paul moves into an extended contrast between what is flesh and what is the spirit. What do you understand Paul to mean by those terms?
5) How does Paul say you can tell the difference between those who are concerned with "flesh" and those concerned with "the Spirit"?
6) Can you give an example of what it might look like to live life concerned with the things of the spirit?
7) Paul did not have an established formula for speaking about God as one in three, but he already possessed all the elements that would later be known as "trinitarian theology". How are God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit seen in verses 5-11?
2) Paul declares exuberantly that "there is no condemnation for those in Messiah, Jesus!" This assurance can only be fully appreciated once we have pondered carefully the seriousness of sin and the reality of God's judgment. What words of Paul's in Romans so far have given you a deeper picture of the seriousness of sin and the reality of God's judgment?
3) Verses 3-4 provide an overall summary of Paul's theology of the cross. Looking closely at verses 3-4, what is the significance of each underlined phrase below. I have used NT Wright's translation, you can view a number of different translations here: Romans 8.3-4 Translations
For God has done what the law (being weak because of human flesh) was incapable of doing. God sent his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as a sin offering; and right there in the flesh, he condemned sin. 4 This was in order that the right and proper verdict of the law could be fulfilled in us, as we live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.
4) In verses 5-11 Paul moves into an extended contrast between what is flesh and what is the spirit. What do you understand Paul to mean by those terms?
5) How does Paul say you can tell the difference between those who are concerned with "flesh" and those concerned with "the Spirit"?
6) Can you give an example of what it might look like to live life concerned with the things of the spirit?
7) Paul did not have an established formula for speaking about God as one in three, but he already possessed all the elements that would later be known as "trinitarian theology". How are God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit seen in verses 5-11?