Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 8].
8:4 {The ordinance of the law} (\to dikai•ma tou nomou\). "The
requirement of the law." {Might be fulfilled} (\hina pler•th•i\).
Purpose of the death of Christ by \hina\ and first aorist passive
subjunctive of \pl•ro•\. Christ met it all in our stead
(3:21-26). {Not after the flesh, but after the Spirit} (\m•
kata sarka alla kata pneuma\). The two laws of life (\kata sarka\
in 7:7-24, \kata pneuma\ 8:1-11). Most likely the Holy Spirit
or else the renewed spirit of man.
8:5 {Do mind} (\phronousin\). Present active indicative of
\phrone•\, to think, to put the mind (\phr•n\) on. See Mt 16:23;
Ro 12:16. For the contrast between \sarx\ and \pneuma\, see Ga
5:16-24.
8:6 {The mind} (\to phron•ma\). The bent or will of the flesh is
death as shown in 7:7-24. {Life} (\z••\). In contrast with
"death." {Peace} (\eir•n•\). As seen in 5:1-5.
8:7 {Is not subject} (\ouch hupotassetai\). Present passive
indicative of \hupotass•\, late verb, military term for
subjection to orders. Present tense here means continued
insubordination. {Neither indeed can it be} (\oude gar dunatai\).
"For it is not even able to do otherwise." This helpless state of
the unregenerate man Paul has shown above apart from Christ. Hope
lies in Christ (7:25) and the Spirit of life (8:2).
8:8 {Cannot please God} (\the•i aresai ou dunantai\). Because of
the handicap of the lower self in bondage to sin. This does not
mean that the sinner has no responsibility and cannot be saved.
He is responsible and can be saved by the change of heart through
the Holy Spirit.
8:9 {Not in the flesh} (\ouk en sarki\). Not sold under sin
(7:14) any more. {But in the spirit} (\alla en pneumati\).
Probably, "in the Holy Spirit." It is not Pantheism or Buddhism
that Paul here teaches, but the mystical union of the believer
with Christ in the Holy Spirit. {If so be that} (\eiper\). "If as
is the fact" (cf. 3:30). {The Spirit of Christ} (\pneuma
Christou\). The same as "the Spirit of God" just before. See also
Php 1:19; 1Pe 1:11. Incidental argument for the Deity of Christ
and probably the meaning of 2Co 3:18 "the Spirit of the Lord."
Condition of first class, assumed as true.
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