罗马书 8:5

Here Paul began to elaborate the difference between "flesh" and "Spirit." This distinction is difficult to grasp because both terms have more than one meaning. To "walk according to the flesh" (Romans 8:4) means to carry out in conduct what the human nature desires. To "be according to the flesh" (Romans 8:5) means to allow the human nature to dominate one’s life. To "be in the flesh" (Romans 8:8) is to be unregenerate, to be devoid of the Spirit.

The "Spirit" seems from the context to refer to the Holy Spirit rather than to the regenerated spirit of man. Those who prefer the second view tend to describe man as having two natures, an old sinful one and a new one that would be the same as this regenerated human spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16-17). In favor of the former view, the chapter began with a clear reference to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2). Other following references to "spirit" (Gr. pneuma) would therefore normally be to the same Spirit. Furthermore, it is reasonable that in identifying the basis for Christian victory Paul would point to the ultimate source, the Holy Spirit, rather than to a secondary agent, our human spirit.