CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST

Passage: Romans 8:12-17

Key verse: 17

NIV

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

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God(E) are the children of God.(F) 15 The Spirit(G) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;(H) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”(I) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit(J) that we are God’s children.(K) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs(L)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings(M) in order that we may also share in his glory.(N)

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Footnotes
  1. 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.
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for father
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Heirs with Christ

12 So then, brothers,[a] we are debtors, (A)not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you (B)put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are (C)led by the Spirit of God are (D)sons[b] of God. 15 For (E)you did not receive (F)the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of (G)adoption as sons, by whom we cry, (H)“Abba! Father!” 16 (I)The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then (J)heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, (K)provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 8:12 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29
  2. Romans 8:14 See discussion on “sons” in the Preface
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Our obligation (12-14)

We sometimes fool ourselves into thinking that we have an obligation to pamper our bodies, or to enjoy our physical lives. ('You deserve a break.') But we have only one obligation--it is to God who made us and redeemed us by Jesus' blood. If we live according to the flesh, we can look forward only to death, for our flesh will perish. But if we put to death the deeds of the flesh by obeying the Spirit, then we will live.

2. Not a slave but a son (15-17)

When we are slaves to sin, we are full of fear. The devil holds us in his power through fear (Heb 2:14,15; Lk 1:74,75). But God's Spirit leads us in life and peace. When we are children of God, his Spirit indwells us and leads us to claim our inheritance, the kingdom of God. So we are heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ; we are privileged to share in Christ's suffering in order that we may share in his glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for freeing me from fear. I want to share in Jesus' sufferings and in his glory.

One Word: Not fear, but sonship, suffering and glory