Romans 8:4
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
so that the righteous standard of the law
The phrase "so that the righteous standard of the law" refers to the ultimate purpose of Christ's redemptive work. The Greek word for "righteous" is "dikaioma," which implies a judicial decision or a righteous act. In the context of the law, it signifies the just requirements that God has set forth. Historically, the law given to Moses was a guide for living a life pleasing to God, but it was impossible for humanity to fulfill it perfectly due to the sinful nature. Through Christ, believers are empowered to meet these righteous standards, not by their own strength, but through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

might be fulfilled in us
The phrase "might be fulfilled in us" indicates the completion or realization of God's law within believers. The Greek word "pleroo" means to fill or to make full, suggesting that the law's requirements are fully met in those who are in Christ. This fulfillment is not through human effort but through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Historically, this reflects the new covenant promise found in Jeremiah 31:33, where God writes His law on the hearts of His people, enabling them to live in obedience.

who do not walk according to the flesh
"Who do not walk according to the flesh" describes the lifestyle of those who are in Christ. The term "walk" (Greek: "peripateo") is often used metaphorically in Scripture to denote one's conduct or way of life. "Flesh" (Greek: "sarx") refers to the sinful nature or human inclinations apart from God. In a historical context, this contrasts with the life under the law, which was often marked by external adherence without internal transformation. Believers are called to reject the old nature and its desires, living instead in a way that reflects their new identity in Christ.

but according to the Spirit
The phrase "but according to the Spirit" highlights the new way of living for believers. The Greek word "pneuma" for "Spirit" signifies the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides Christians. This is a life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and is in stark contrast to living according to the flesh. Historically, this represents the fulfillment of Ezekiel 36:27, where God promises to put His Spirit within His people, enabling them to follow His decrees. This transformative power of the Spirit is what allows believers to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, not through their own efforts, but through divine enablement.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological writings.

2. The Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, the early Christian community in Rome, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers.

3. The Law
Refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws.

4. The Spirit
The Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live according to God's will and not according to the sinful nature.

5. The Flesh
Represents the sinful nature of humanity, which is in opposition to the Spirit.
Teaching Points
Fulfillment of the Law
The righteous standard of the law is fulfilled in believers not by their own efforts but through the work of the Holy Spirit.

This fulfillment is a result of living according to the Spirit, not the flesh.

Walking by the Spirit
Walking according to the Spirit involves daily submission to God's guidance and empowerment.

It requires a conscious decision to reject the desires of the flesh and pursue spiritual growth.

Transformation through the Spirit
The Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live in a way that pleases God.

This transformation is evidence of our salvation and relationship with Christ.

Practical Righteousness
Our lives should reflect the righteousness of Christ, demonstrating love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit.

This practical righteousness is a testimony to the world of God's transformative power.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Romans 8:4 describe the relationship between the law and the believer's life in the Spirit?

2. In what ways can you actively choose to walk according to the Spirit in your daily life?

3. How does the concept of "fulfilling the law" in Romans 8:4 connect with Jesus' teachings in the Gospels?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to resist the desires of the flesh and live by the Spirit?

5. How does the transformation by the Spirit in Romans 8:4 relate to the promise of a new heart and spirit in Ezekiel 36:26-27?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Galatians 5:16-25
This passage contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the importance of living by the Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
God promises to give a new heart and spirit, enabling His people to follow His decrees, which aligns with the transformation described in Romans 8:4.

Philippians 3:9
Paul speaks of a righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith, not from the law, which complements the idea of the law being fulfilled in us through the Spirit.
Righteousness FulfilledP. Strutt.Romans 8:4
The Righteousness of the Law Accomplished in the BelieverO. Winslow, D. D.Romans 8:4
The Righteousness of the Law FulfilledThomas Horton, D. D.Romans 8:4
No CondemnationS.R. Aldridge Romans 8:1-4
What the Law Could not DoT.F. Lockyer Romans 8:1-5
Paradise RegainedR.M. Edgar Romans 8:1-11
The Judgment-Day, and How to Prepare for itC.H. Irwin Romans 8:1-11
Christ Contemplated in His RelationJ. Lyth, D. D.Romans 8:3-4
Christ's Holy Life a Living Condemnation of SinProf. Godet.Romans 8:3-4
Christ's MissionRomans 8:3-4
God's Own SonT. Robinson, D. D.Romans 8:3-4
How God Condemned SinC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 8:3-4
Law HelplessR. Tuck.Romans 8:3-4
Of Christ's Being the Natural and Eternal Son of GodRomans 8:3-4
Sin Condemned in the FleshP. Strutt.Romans 8:3-4
The Believer's DeliveranceT. G. Horton.Romans 8:3-4
The Christian PlanD. Thomas, D. D.Romans 8:3-4
The Condemnation of Sin in the FleshArchdeacon Gifford.Romans 8:3-4
The Impotence of the LawT. Chalmers, D. D.Romans 8:3-4
The Impotency of the Law Through the FleshProf. J. A. Beet.Romans 8:3-4
The Law's Failure and FulfilmentC. H. Spurgeon.Romans 8:3-4
The Law's Inability to Justify and SaveT. Jacomb, D. D.Romans 8:3-4
The Requirement of the LawJ. Ogle.Romans 8:3-4
The State of Christianity TodayH. Ward Beecher.Romans 8:3-4
The Weakness of the LawThomas Horton, D. D.Romans 8:3-4
The Weakness of the Law and the Power of the GospelJ. J. S. Bird, M. A.Romans 8:3-4
People
Paul, Romans
Places
Rome
Topics
Case, Earthly, Flesh, Fulfilled, Fully, Law, Met, Nature, Natures, Order, Ordered, Ordinance, Regulated, Requirement, Requirements, Righteous, Righteousness, Sinful, Spirit, Spiritual, Walk
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Romans 8:4

     1125   God, righteousness
     3236   Holy Spirit, and Scripture

Romans 8:1-4

     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     6125   condemnation, divine
     6669   grace, and salvation
     6679   justification, results

Romans 8:1-9

     5110   Paul, teaching of
     6028   sin, deliverance from

Romans 8:1-11

     5381   law, letter and spirit

Romans 8:1-17

     6661   freedom, and law

Romans 8:2-4

     1352   covenant, the new
     6139   deadness, spiritual

Romans 8:3-4

     2075   Christ, sinless
     4906   abolition
     5380   law, and gospel
     6163   faults
     6677   justification, necessity
     8157   righteousness, as faith
     8311   morality, and redemption

Romans 8:3-5

     8244   ethics, and grace

Romans 8:3-9

     6166   flesh, sinful nature

Romans 8:4-5

     3278   Holy Spirit, indwelling

Romans 8:4-6

     3251   Holy Spirit, filling with
     4018   life, spiritual

Romans 8:4-9

     3233   Holy Spirit, and sanctification

Library
December 18:
December 18th. The misgiving which will creep sometimes over the brightest faith has already received its expression and its rebuke: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Shall these "changes in the physical state of the environment" which threaten death to the natural man, destroy the spiritual? Shall death, or life, or angels, or principalities, or powers, arrest or tamper with his eternal correspondences?
Henry Drummond—Beautiful Thoughts

October 10. "If Ye, through the Spirit, do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live" (Rom. viii. 13).
"If ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. viii. 13). The Holy Spirit is the only one who can kill us and keep us dead. Many Christians try to do this disagreeable work themselves, and they are going through a continual crucifixion, but they can never accomplish the work permanently. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and when you really yield yourself to the death, it is delightful to find how sweetly He can slay you. By the touch of the electric spark they
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 6. "As Many as are Led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14).
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14). The blessed Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Leader, and our Resting-place. There are times when He presses us forward into prayer, into service, into suffering, into new experiences, new duties, new claims of faith, and hope, and love, but there are times when He arrests us in our activity, and rests us under His overshadowing wing, and quiets us in the secret place of the Most High, teaching us some new lessons, breathing
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality, and counteracts, overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death. Let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison. Look at my hand. By the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there, attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 8. "For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). There is a natural law of sin and sickness, and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in Christ Jesus to which we can rise and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down. But to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 27. "The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God" (Rom. viii. 21).
"The glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. viii. 21). Are you above self and self-pleasing in every way? Have you got above circumstances so that you are not influenced by them? Are you above sickness and the evil forces around that would drag down your physical life into the quicksands? These forces are all around, and if yielded to would quickly swamp us. God does not destroy sickness, or its power to hurt, but He lifts us above it. Are you above your feelings, moods, emotions and states?
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 11. "And He that Searcheth the Hearts Knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, Because He Maketh Intercession for the Saints According to the Will of God" (Rom. viii. 27).
"And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. viii. 27). The Holy Spirit becomes to the consecrated heart the Spirit of intercession. We have two Advocates. We have an Advocate with the Father, who prays for us at God's right hand; but the Holy Spirit is the Advocate within, who prays in us, inspiring our petitions and presenting them, through Christ, to God. We need this Advocate. We know
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 21. "Who Shall Separate us from the Love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35).
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35). And then comes the triumphant answer, after all the possible obstacles and enemies have been mentioned one by one, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us." Our trials will be turned to helps; our enemies will be taken prisoners and made to fight our battles. Like the weights on yonder clock, which keep it going, our very difficulties will prove incentives to faith and prayer, and occasions
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

June 1. "That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us" (Rom. viii. 4).
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. viii. 4). Beloved friends, do you know the mistake some of you are making? Some of you say: "It is not possible for me to be good; no man ever was perfect, and it is no use for me to try." That is the mistake many of you are making. I agree with the first sentence, "No man ever was perfect"; but I don't agree with the second, "There is no use trying." There is a divine righteousness that we may have. I don't mean merely that which
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 13. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7).
"The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7). The flesh is incurably bad. "It is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can be." It never can be any better. It is no use trying to improve the flesh. You may educate it all you please. You may train it by the most approved methods, you may set before it the brightest examples, you may pipe to it or mourn to it, treat it with encouragement or severity; its nature will always be incorrigibly the same. Like the wild hawk which the little
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 4. "Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ He is None of His" (Rom. viii. 9).
"Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" (Rom. viii. 9). A spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. So the apostle said: "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." The glory of the new creation, then, is not only that it recreates the human spirit, but that it fits
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children.
Text: Romans 8, 12-17. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Accusers Challenged
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. T hough the collating of manuscripts and various readings has undoubtedly been of use in rectifying some mistakes which, through the inadvertency of transcribers, had crept into different copies of the New Testament, yet such supposed corrections of the text ought to be admitted with caution, and not unless supported by strong reasons and authorities. The whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God: and they who thankfully
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

August the Twenty-Fifth Impotent Enemies
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" --ROMANS viii. 31-39. Who can get between the love of Christ and me? What sharp dividing minister can cleave the two in twain, and leave me like a dismembered and dying branch? Terrible experiences cannot do it. "Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword!" All these may come about my house, but they cannot reach the inner sanctuary where my Lord and I are closeted in loving communion and peace. They may bruise my skin,
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

May the Twenty-Eighth the Sons of God
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." --ROMANS viii. 9-17. And how unspeakably wealthy are the implications of the great word! If a son, then what holy freedom is mine! Mine is not "the spirit of bondage." The son has "the run of the house." That is the great contrast between lodgings and home. And I am to be at home with the Lord. And if a son, then heir! "All things are yours." Samuel Rutherford used to counsel his friends to "take a turn" round their estate.
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sons and Heirs
'If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.'--ROMANS viii. 17. God Himself is His greatest gift. The loftiest blessing which we can receive is that we should be heirs, possessors of God. There is a sublime and wonderful mutual possession of which Scripture speaks much wherein the Lord is the inheritance of Israel, and Israel is the inheritance of the Lord. 'The Lord hath taken you to be to Him a people of inheritance,' says Moses; 'Ye are a people for a possession,' says
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
'...Joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.'--ROMANS viii. 17. In the former part of this verse the Apostle tells us that in order to be heirs of God, we must become sons through and joint-heirs with Christ. He seems at first sight to add in these words of our text another condition to those already specified, namely, that of suffering with Christ. Now, of course, whatever may be the operation of suffering in fitting for the possession of
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Witness of the Spirit
'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'--ROMANS viii. 18. The sin of the world is a false confidence, a careless, complacent taking for granted that a man is a Christian when he is not. The fault, and sorrow, and weakness of the Church is a false diffidence, an anxious fear whether a man be a Christian when he is. There are none so far away from false confidence as those who tremble lest they be cherishing it. There are none so inextricably caught in
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Revelation of Sons
'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.'--ROMANS viii. 19. The Apostle has been describing believers as 'sons' and 'heirs.' He drops from these transcendent heights to contrast their present apparent condition with their true character and their future glory. The sad realities of suffering darken his lofty hopes, even although these sad realities are to his faith tokens of joint-heirship with Jesus, and pledges that if our inheritance is here
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

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