賜生命的靈

所以現在,那些在基督耶穌裡的人,[a]就不被定罪了, 因為聖靈的生命法則,在基督耶穌裡把你[b]從罪和死的法則中釋放了出來。 因肉體軟弱的緣故,律法所做不到的,神卻做到了[c]——神派遣了自己的兒子成為罪的肉身樣式,並且為了贖罪,用肉身判決了罪, 使律法的公義規定,成全在我們這些不順著肉體卻順著聖靈行走的人身上。 要知道,順著肉體的人,思想屬肉體的事;順著聖靈的人,思想屬聖靈的事。 屬肉體的思想帶來死亡;屬聖靈的思想帶來生命和平安。 原來屬肉體的思想是敵對神的,因為它不服從神的律法,其實也不能服從; 並且,屬肉體的人無法得到神的喜悅。 但既然神的靈真是住在你們裡面,你們就不屬於肉體,而屬於聖靈了。不過如果有人沒有基督的靈,這個人就不屬於基督了。 10 但如果基督在你們裡面,那麼,你們的身體雖然因罪是死的[d],靈卻因義是活的[e] 11 不但如此,使耶穌從死人中復活的那一位——他的靈如果住在你們裡面,那麼,使基督從死人中復活的那一位,也將藉著[f]住在你們裡面的聖靈,使你們會死的身體得著生命。

聖靈的工作

12 弟兄們,由此可見,我們都是有責任[g]的,但不是對肉體有責任去順著肉體而活; 13 因為你們如果順著肉體而活,就將死去;但如果順著聖靈治死身體的所作所為,就將活著。 14 原來,凡是蒙神的靈帶領的人,他們才是神的兒女。 15 就是說,你們所領受的不是一個奴役的靈,使你們再有懼怕;相反,你們所領受的是使你們有兒子名份的聖靈——藉著他,我們呼叫:「阿爸!父啊!」 16 聖靈親自與我們的靈一同作證:我們是神的兒女。 17 既然是兒女,也就是繼承人;如果我們真是為了與他一同得榮耀而與他一同受苦,我們就是神的繼承人,而且與基督同做繼承人。

將來的榮耀

18 事實上,我認為現今時刻的苦難,與將來要顯明給我們的榮耀,是無法相比的。 19 被造之物都熱切盼望、熱切等待著神的兒女顯現出來, 20 因為被造之物屈從在虛妄之下,並不是出於自願,而是出於使它屈從的那一位; 21 被造之物自己也盼望著從使之衰朽[h]的奴役中得到釋放,歸入神兒女榮耀的自由。 22 我們知道,所有被造之物都一同呻吟、同受陣痛,直到如今。 23 不僅如此,連我們這些有聖靈為初熟果子的人,也在自己裡面呻吟嘆息,熱切等待得到兒子的名份[i],就是等待我們的身體得蒙救贖。 24 因為我們得救在於這盼望。然而,看得見的盼望,就不是盼望了;誰會盼望自己所看得見的呢? 25 但如果我們盼望那看不見的,就要藉著忍耐來熱切等待。

26 況且,聖靈也照樣扶助我們的軟弱。事實上,我們不知道該禱告什麼、如何禱告,但聖靈卻親自用說不出的嘆息,為我們[j]代求。 27 而且,洞察人心的那一位,知道聖靈的意念是什麼,因為聖靈是按神的意思[k]為聖徒代求的。

28 我們也知道,神使萬事相輔相成[l],是為了愛神之人的益處,就是那些按照他的心意蒙召之人的益處。 29 因為神預先所知道的人,神也預先定下他們和他兒子的形像相似,使他兒子在眾多弟兄中做長子[m] 30 而且,神預先所定下的人,神又召他們來;所召來的人,又稱他們為義;所稱為義的人,又使他們得榮耀。

信徒的凱旋

31 那麼,對這些事我們要怎麼說呢?
神如果支持我們,誰還能反對我們呢?
32 神既然沒有顧惜自己的兒子,
為我們所有的人捨棄了他,
難道不會把萬有也連同他一起賜給我們嗎?
33 到底誰能控告那些蒙神揀選的人呢?
神是稱人為義的那一位!
34 到底誰能定我們的罪呢?
基督耶穌是已經死了的那一位——
但更要說,他已經復活了,
而且現今在神的右邊,還為我們代求!
35 到底誰能使我們與基督[n]的愛分開呢?
難道是患難嗎?是困苦嗎?是逼迫嗎?
是飢餓嗎?是赤身嗎?是危險嗎?是刀劍嗎?
36 正如經上所記:
「為你的緣故,我們終日被置於死地,
被看為要宰殺的羊。」[o]
37 然而,靠著愛我們的那一位,
我們在這一切事上已經得勝有餘了。
38 事實上,我深信:
無論是死、是生、
是天使、是統治者、
是現在的事、是將來的事、是有勢力的、
39 是高處的、是深處的,或是任何別的被造之物,
都不能使我們與神的愛分開,
這愛是在我們主基督耶穌裡的。

Footnotes

  1. 羅馬書 8:1 有古抄本附「就是那些不順著肉體卻順著聖靈而行走的人,」。
  2. 羅馬書 8:2 你——有古抄本作「我」。
  3. 羅馬書 8:3 神卻做到了——輔助詞語。
  4. 羅馬書 8:10 是死的——或譯作「要死」。
  5. 羅馬書 8:10 靈卻因義是活的——或譯作「聖靈卻因義賜生命」。
  6. 羅馬書 8:11 藉著——有古抄本作「因為」。
  7. 羅馬書 8:12 有責任——原文直譯「欠債」。
  8. 羅馬書 8:21 衰朽——或譯作「敗壞」。
  9. 羅馬書 8:23 有古抄本沒有「得到兒子的名份」。
  10. 羅馬書 8:26 有古抄本沒有「為我們」。
  11. 羅馬書 8:27 的意思——輔助詞語。
  12. 羅馬書 8:28 神使萬事相輔相成——或譯作「萬事相輔相成」。
  13. 羅馬書 8:29 長子——原文直譯「首生者」。
  14. 羅馬書 8:35 基督——有古抄本作「神」。
  15. 羅馬書 8:36 《詩篇》44:22。

The Life-Giving Spirit

Therefore, no condemnation(A) now exists for those in(B) Christ Jesus,[a](C) because the Spirit’s law of life(D) in Christ Jesus has set you[b] free from the law of sin and of death.(E) What the law could not do(F) since it was limited[c] by the flesh,(G) God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours(H) under sin’s domain,[d] and as a sin offering,(I) in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished(J) in us who do not walk according to the flesh(K) but according to the Spirit. For those who live[e] according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh,(L) but those who live[f] according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. For the mind-set of the flesh(M) is death,(N) but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile(O) to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh(P) cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since[g] the Spirit of God lives in you.(Q) But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(R) he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you,(S) the body is dead[h] because of sin, but the Spirit[i] is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead(T) lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[j] His Spirit who lives in you.

The Holy Spirit’s Ministries

12 So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,(U) you will live. 14 All those led by God’s Spirit(V) are God’s sons.(W) 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,(X) but you received the Spirit of adoption,(Y) by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”(Z) 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit(AA) that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs(AB)—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that[k] we suffer with Him(AC) so that we may also be glorified with Him.

From Groans to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing(AD) with the glory(AE) that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation(AF) for God’s sons(AG) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected(AH) to futility(AI)—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it(AJ)—in the hope 21 that the creation itself(AK) will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains(AL) until now. 23 And not only that,(AM) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits(AN)—we also groan within ourselves,(AO) eagerly waiting for adoption,(AP) the redemption of our bodies.(AQ) 24 Now in this hope(AR) we were saved, yet hope(AS) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see,(AT) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should,(AU) but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[l](AV) with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts(AW) knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 We know that all things work together[m] for the good[n] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.(AX) 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined(AY) to be conformed to the image of His Son,(AZ) so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.(BA) 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified;(BB) and those He justified, He also glorified.(BC)

The Believer’s Triumph

31 What then are we to say about these things?(BD)
If God is for us, who is against us?(BE)
32 He did not even spare His own Son(BF)
but offered Him up for us all;(BG)
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?(BH)
God is the One who justifies.(BI)
34 Who is the one who condemns?(BJ)
Christ Jesus is the One who died,(BK)
but even more, has been raised;(BL)
He also is at the right hand of God(BM)
and intercedes for us.(BN)
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction(BO) or anguish or persecution(BP)
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
Because of You
we are being put to death all day long;(BQ)
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.(BR)[o]
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious(BS)
through Him who loved us.(BT)
38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life,(BU)
angels or rulers,(BV)
things present or things to come,(BW) hostile powers,
39 height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God(BX) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!(BY)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:1 Other mss add who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
  2. Romans 8:2 Other mss read me
  3. Romans 8:3 Or weak
  4. Romans 8:3 Lit in the likeness of sinful flesh
  5. Romans 8:5 Or those who are
  6. Romans 8:5 Or those who are
  7. Romans 8:9 Or provided that
  8. Romans 8:10 Or the body will die
  9. Romans 8:10 Or spirit
  10. Romans 8:11 Other mss read because of
  11. Romans 8:17 Or provided that
  12. Romans 8:26 Some mss omit for us
  13. Romans 8:28 Other mss read that God works together in all things
  14. Romans 8:28 The ultimate good
  15. Romans 8:36 Ps 44:22

Life Through the Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation(A) for those who are in Christ Jesus,(B) because through Christ Jesus(C) the law of the Spirit who gives life(D) has set you[a] free(E) from the law of sin(F) and death. For what the law was powerless(G) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b](H) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh(I) to be a sin offering.[c](J) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement(K) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.(L)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;(M) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.(N) The mind governed by the flesh is death,(O) but the mind governed by the Spirit is life(P) and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;(Q) it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh(R) cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh(S) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.(T) And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,(U) they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you,(V) then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead(W) is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies(X) because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.(Y) 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;(Z) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,(AA) you will live.(AB)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(AC) are the children of God.(AD) 15 The Spirit(AE) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(AF) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.”(AG) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(AH) that we are God’s children.(AI) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(AJ)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(AK) in order that we may also share in his glory.(AL)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(AM) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(AN) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(AO) in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(AP) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(AQ)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(AR) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(AS) groan(AT) inwardly as we wait eagerly(AU) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(AV) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(AW) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(AX) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(AY)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit(AZ) himself intercedes for us(BA) through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts(BB) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes(BC) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(BD) of those who love him, who[i] have been called(BE) according to his purpose.(BF) 29 For those God foreknew(BG) he also predestined(BH) to be conformed to the image of his Son,(BI) that he might be the firstborn(BJ) among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined,(BK) he also called;(BL) those he called, he also justified;(BM) those he justified, he also glorified.(BN)

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things?(BO) If God is for us,(BP) who can be against us?(BQ) 32 He who did not spare his own Son,(BR) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge(BS) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?(BT) No one. Christ Jesus who died(BU)—more than that, who was raised to life(BV)—is at the right hand of God(BW) and is also interceding for us.(BX) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?(BY) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?(BZ) 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j](CA)

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors(CB) through him who loved us.(CC) 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future,(CD) nor any powers,(CE) 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God(CF) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(CG)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 8:2 The Greek is singular; some manuscripts me
  2. Romans 8:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 4-13.
  3. Romans 8:3 Or flesh, for sin
  4. Romans 8:10 Or you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
  5. Romans 8:11 Some manuscripts bodies through
  6. Romans 8:15 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture; also in verse 23.
  7. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
  8. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
  9. Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
  10. Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:22
  11. Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers