Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

But {G1161} ye {G5210} are {G2075} not {G3756} in {G1722} the flesh {G4561}, but {G235} in {G1722} the Spirit {G4151}, if so be {G1512} that the Spirit {G4151} of God {G2316} dwell {G3611} in {G1722} you {G5213}. Now {G1161} if any man {G1536} have {G2192} not {G3756} the Spirit {G4151} of Christ {G5547}, he {G3778} is {G2076} none {G3756} of his {G846}.

But you, you do not identify with your old nature but with the Spirit — provided the Spirit of God is living inside you, for anyone who doesn’t have the Spirit of the Messiah doesn’t belong to him.

You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:9 (KJV) Commentary

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Commentary

This verse is a pivotal statement in Paul's argument in Romans 8, contrasting the life lived "in the flesh" (dominated by sin and the old nature) with the life lived "in the Spirit" (empowered by the Holy Spirit).

  • Historical and Cultural Context: Paul is writing to believers in Rome, many of whom would have come from either a Jewish background (familiar with the struggle under the Law, as described in Romans 7) or a Gentile background (familiar with pagan lifestyles). He is explaining the radical transformation that occurs when one becomes a Christian.
  • Key Themes:
    • The Two Natures: Paul distinguishes between living according to the sinful nature ("in the flesh") and living according to the new nature given by God ("in the Spirit").
    • The Indwelling Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit ("the Spirit of God," "the Spirit of Christ") dwelling within a person is presented as the defining characteristic of a true believer. This indwelling is not optional; it is essential.
    • Belonging to Christ: Having the Spirit is the mark of belonging to Christ. Without His Spirit, one is not genuinely connected to Him.
  • Linguistic Insights: Paul uses the terms "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ" interchangeably here, affirming the close unity and shared identity of the Holy Spirit with both the Father and the Son. The word "dwell" (Greek: oikeō) implies a permanent residence, not just a temporary visit or influence.
  • Cross-References:
    • 1 Corinthians 6:19 - "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
    • Galatians 4:6 - "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
  • Practical Application: This verse provides assurance to believers that they are no longer defined by their old sinful nature but by the presence of the Spirit. It also serves as a clear test: the presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary evidence of salvation and belonging to Christ. Our lives should increasingly reflect the fruit and leading of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Galatians 4:6

    And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16

    ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

  • 2 Timothy 1:14

    That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

  • Romans 8:11

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

  • John 14:17

    [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

  • Ephesians 1:13

    In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

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