Introduction to Romans 8:1–39: no condemnation in Christ, life by the Spirit, and the hope that nothing can separate from God's love

Says "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (8:1, BSB), because "the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death" (8:2, BSB). Those led by the Spirit "are sons of God" (8:14, BSB), and if children, "then we are heirs" (8:17, BSB). Nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (8:39, BSB).

Implies The chapter takes up "the new way of the Spirit" (7:6, BSB) and answers the problem of 7:7–25, sin using the holy law through the flesh, with God's act in his Son and the gift of the Spirit (8:3–4; note.exegetical.Rom.7.7-Rom.7.25.law-holy-sin-deceives; note.exegetical.Rom.7.1-Rom.7.6.died-to-the-law). Romans 8 is not used here to settle who the "I" of 7:7–25 is; that question stays open (note.exegetical.Rom.7.7-Rom.7.25.identity-of-the-i).

Structure. Part 1, 8:1–17: no condemnation (8:1–4), flesh and Spirit (8:5–13), adoption and heirs (8:14–17). Part 2, 8:18–39: creation and hope (8:18–25), the Spirit's intercession (8:26–27), called according to his purpose (8:28–30), and God's love in Christ (8:31–39), with two doctrinal notes, on how election works and on whether believers can finally fall away.

Background. Union with Christ is set out for Romans 6 (note.exegetical.Rom.6.5-Rom.6.11.died-with-christ), Adam and Christ for Romans 5 (note.exegetical.Rom.5.12-Rom.5.21.adam-and-christ), and the law and the flesh for Romans 7. They are not repeated here.