What does Romans 8:12 mean?

Explanation

Romans 8:12 is a verse within the Christian New Testament that emphasizes the moral and spiritual obligation of believers to live according to the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh.

The apostle Paul begins by addressing the readers as "brethren," signaling a close relationship among those in the Christian community.

He asserts that they (and by extension, all Christians) are "debtors," suggesting a kind of obligation or duty.

However, the nature of this debt is not to the flesh.

That means, as followers of Christ, they are not obligated to live according to their base human desires, instincts, or their sinful nature.

Instead, living "after the flesh" would denote a life guided by sinful tendencies and self-gratifying pursuits.

The deeper meaning here revolves around the idea that Christ has set believers free from the law of sin and death, and therefore, they owe nothing to their old sinful nature that leads to death.

Instead, their obligation is towards the ways of the Spirit, which brings life and peace.

Paul here is highlighting the transformative power of salvation through Christ that allows believers to live a new life.

Historical Context

Romans was authored by the apostle Paul around 57 A.D. and is a letter addressed to the Christian church in Rome.

At this time, the church would have been composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts.

The section of Romans that includes chapter 8 delves into the concept of life in the Spirit as opposed to life under the law, and the practical implications that follow from being set free from the law of sin through faith in Christ.

The historical context for Paul's writings also includes the broader Greco-Roman culture, where philosophical and moral questions about how to live a good life were central.

Into this environment, Paul's teaching about living according to the Spirit introduced a new and radical way of understanding human moral obligation.

Theological Insights

Within the context of Christian theology, Romans 8:12 presents various insights:

• It affirms the doctrine of sanctification: the process by which believers are made holy through the work of the Spirit.
• It provides an eschatological hope: implying that present sufferings are incomparable to the glory that will be revealed in those who live by the Spirit.
• It counters the antinomian argument (the view that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey) by placing an obligation on believers to live a moral life empowered by the Spirit.
• From a Calvinist perspective, it encapsulates the concept of irresistible grace, in that those who are truly saved will naturally live in the Spirit.
• An Arminian viewpoint may emphasize human responsibility in cooperating with the grace of God to live according to the Spirit.

Practical Applications

The practical implications of Romans 8:12 include:

• Encouraging Christians to conduct themselves in ways that honor the transformative power of Christ in their lives: to exhibit fruits of the Spirit rather than the works of the flesh.
• Inspiring believers to examine whether their daily choices are made in accordance to their fleshly desires or the guidance of the Spirit.
• Suggesting the importance of spiritual disciplines (prayer, meditation, studying scripture) to cultivate a life that is increasingly led by the Spirit.
• Causing the individual to reflect on the concept of true freedom, understanding it not as the liberty to do anything, but the power to do what one ought.
• Fostering a community that holds its members accountable to the higher calling they have in Christ.

Cross-References

• Galatians 5:16 - "[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
• Galatians 5:24 - "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
• Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
• Romans 13:14 - "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof]."

Language Study

Key terms in the original Greek language of this verse include:

• "Debtors" (ὀφειλέται, opheiletai): This term implies an obligation or something owed, suggesting a moral duty rather than a financial debt.
• "Flesh" (σάρκα, sarka): In Pauline theology, 'flesh' is often used to refer to the sinful nature or the human inclination towards sin, as opposed to the redeemed nature of those in Christ.
• "To live" (ζῆν, zēn): This verb points to the manner or quality of life being lived, contrasting mere existence with a life infused with purpose and spiritual direction.

Understanding these terms helps clarify that the obligation Paul refers to is of a moral and spiritual nature, and that living according to the flesh is antithetical to the new life believers are called to in Christ.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

• Within Judaism, the idea of living in a way that pleases God and avoids sinful behavior is also present, though framed through the observance of laws and commandments given in the Torah.
• Stoicism, a prevalent philosophy in the Roman world, similarly called for a life led by reason and virtue rather than by hedonistic and emotional impulses, which resonates with the call to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh.

Scientific Perspectives

While Romans 8:12 does not directly engage with scientific ideas, it touches on aspects of human behavior and morality.

Modern psychology might examine the concepts of "flesh" and "Spirit" in the context of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, or the tension between immediate gratification and long-term well-being.

Evolutionary biology might explore the idea of the flesh as related to primal instincts for survival and reproduction, contrasted with higher executive functions of the brain that allow for moral reasoning and self-control.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered interpretations of Romans 8:12:

• John Stott, an Anglican cleric and theologian, views this verse as a call to a definitive break with the past; a life through the Spirit is a life lived in the reality of God's redeemed order.
• Douglas Moo, a New Testament scholar, highlights the notion of obligation not as a way to earn salvation, but as a result of the grace already received.
• N.T.

Wright, a New Testament historian and former bishop in the Church of England, suggests that living according to the Spirit involves both moral living and participation in the suffering and eventual glory of Christ.

Their differing emphases reflect a shared belief that there is now a new way to live, thanks to the redemptive work of Christ, which entails ethical and spiritual renewal and fidelity.