John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness ,.... The thing which the Spirit of God witnesses to is, that we are the sons of God ; which supposes the case in some sense doubtful and uncertain, at least that it is called in question; not by others, though it sometimes is, as by Satan, which need not seem strange, since he called in question the sonship of Christ himself, and by the world who know them not, and by good men, till better informed: but the testimony of the Spirit is not the... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear ,.... By "the spirit of bondage" is meant, not the Spirit of God: for this is just the reverse of his character, who is a "free Spirit", or רוח נדיבה , "a Spirit of liberty"; and is contrary to his work and office, which is to show a soul its state of bondage by nature, and to deliver out of it; and though fear may arise from the convictions of sin, yet this he removes by discoveries of love; moreover, his work is to make... read more