Romans 8:4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

That {G2443} the righteousness {G1345} of the law {G3551} might be fulfilled {G4137} in {G1722} us {G2254}, who walk {G4043} not {G3361} after {G2596} the flesh {G4561}, but {G235} after {G2596} the Spirit {G4151}.

so that the just requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us who do not run our lives according to what our old nature wants but according to what the Spirit wants.

so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 8:4 (KJV)

This verse is a powerful statement within Paul's exposition on the Christian life lived under the power of the Holy Spirit, contrasting it sharply with the inability of the law to produce true righteousness in humanity.

Context

Romans chapter 8 is often called the greatest chapter in the Bible, focusing on the freedom and power available to believers through the Holy Spirit. Verse 4 builds directly on the preceding verses, which declare that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) because the law of the Spirit of life has set them free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Paul explains *how* this freedom is achieved, moving beyond the struggle with sin described in Romans chapter 7, which highlights the limitations of human effort under the law.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of the Law's Righteousness: The verse states that the standard of righteousness the law demanded (but could not enable) is met *in us*, not *by* us in our own strength. This fulfillment is made possible through Christ and the Spirit.
  • Walking by the Spirit vs. the Flesh: It clearly distinguishes between two ways of living: "walking after the flesh" (living according to human nature dominated by sin) and "walking after the Spirit" (living according to the direction and power of the Holy Spirit). This is a central theme throughout Romans 8.
  • The Power of the Spirit: The ability to live in a way that aligns with God's righteous standard is attributed not to human willpower or adherence to rules in isolation, but to the indwelling and empowering work of the Holy Spirit in believers.

Linguistic Insights

The term "flesh" (Greek: sarx) in Paul's writing often refers not just to the physical body but to the entire human nature apart from God, prone to sin and rebellion. "Spirit" (Greek: pneuma) refers to the Holy Spirit. The phrase "righteousness of the law" (Greek: dikaioma tou nomou) signifies the just requirement or standard of the law. This is not about earning righteousness by works but about the righteous standard being *realized* in the lives of those led by the Spirit.

Reflection

Romans 8:4 teaches that while the law revealed God's righteous standard, it lacked the power to enable sinful humanity to meet it. God's solution was sending His Son (Romans 8:3) and giving His Spirit. For believers today, living righteously is not a matter of trying harder to keep rules in our own strength ("walking after the flesh"), but of yielding to and being empowered by the Holy Spirit ("walking after the Spirit"). It is the Spirit who enables us to live lives that genuinely reflect the love and righteousness that the law ultimately pointed towards. This verse calls us to continually depend on the Spirit for guidance and strength in our daily lives.

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Cross-References

  • Galatians 5:22 (15 votes)

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Galatians 5:25 (15 votes)

    If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

  • Galatians 5:16 (14 votes)

    [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

  • Colossians 1:22 (7 votes)

    In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

  • Ephesians 5:26 (6 votes)

    That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

  • Ephesians 5:27 (6 votes)

    That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

  • Jude 1:24 (4 votes)

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,