Romans 8:15-17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:16

Verse 16 16.The Spirit himself, etc. He does not simply say, that God’s Spirit is a witness to our spirit, but he adopts a compound verb, which might be rendered “contest,” (contestatur ,) were it not that contestation (contestatio ) has a different meaning in Latin. But Paul means, that the Spirit of God gives us such a testimony, that when he is our guide and teacher, our spirit is made assured of the adoption of God: for our mind of its own self, without the preceding testimony of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 8:17

Verse 17 17.And if children, etc. By an argument, taken from what is annexed or what follows, he proves that our salvation consists in having God as our Father. It is for children that inheritance is appointed: since God then has adopted us as his children, he has at the same time ordained an inheritance for us. He then intimates what sort of inheritance it is — that it is heavenly, and therefore incorruptible and eternal, such as Christ possesses; and his possession of it takes away all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:1-39

( c ) The blessed condition and assured hope of such as are in Christ Jesus. The summary of the contents of this chapter, which follows the Exposition, may be referred to in the first place by the student, so as to assist comprehension of the line of thought. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:12-17

The adoption in Christ. Is our desire, is our vocation, life? Then we are bound in honour, hound by the necessity of the case, to live, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. But are we even then sure of the destiny of life? We are walking in a way; whither does the way lead? The answer to this question lies in the prevailing characteristic of the life we live now—a life that is "led by the Spirit of God:" These are sons! Survey the life: only "sons" could live a life like that. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:12-17

The Spirit of adoption. In the previous section we have found "Paradise restored," through the Spirit destroying sin and thereby death within us, first in the soul and then in the body. But this experience of spiritual-mindedness is realized on the line of God's adopting love. The emancipating Spirit is the Spirit of adoption. Let us notice the stages as here presented by the apostle. I. OUR OBLIGATION IS NOW TO THE SPIRIT , AND NOT TO THE FLESH . ( Romans 8:12... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:12-30

The privileges and responsibilities of the children of God. The apostle in these verses makes a high claim for believers—the claim of being children of God. In this eighth chapter he unfolds, as in a panoramic view, the whole plan of salvation. He begins with the idea that those who are in Christ Jesus are delivered from condemnation. But salvation is something more than that. It means sonship also. And step by step, verse by verse, the apostle advances, at each step unfolding some fresh... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:14-17

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the Spirit of adoption, wherein we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him . In Romans 8:14 is introduced a further ground for the assertion in ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:14-17

For the Spirit you received when you became Christians was one of sonship; our habitual earnest cry of "Abba, Father," expresses our feeling of it; the Spirit still witnesses with our spirit that we are God's children; and sonship implies heirship—heirship with Christ, through our union with whom we feel ourselves to be sons; and, if we have to share in his sufferings now, this only unites us the more to him, and fits us the more for our inheritance of eternal life with him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:15-16

The Spirit received by Christians. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God to his people in Christ—"the promise of the Father;" the Comforter whose advent was foretold by Christ, accompanying Divine truth, and characterizing the new dispensation of God's mercy and love. In this passage the Spirit is mentioned, not so much as the Gift of God, as in the aspects he assumes in the conscious experience of God's people. I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY . Man in a state... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 8:17

The twofold fellowship. A person may be the heir to a title and to a great estate, and yet, in some circumstances, he may in his minority and even afterwards be exposed to some privations. He may even be a homeless wanderer, thrown into uncongenial society and unfamiliar scenes and undesirable occupations. If such be the case, it may well happen that his experience may be profitable and serviceable. He may taste "adversity's sweet milk, philosophy." He may learn many a lesson of... read more

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