Romans 8:12

12 Therefore, brethren, it is not to our lower natures that we are under obligation that we should live by their rule.

Romans 8:12 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 8:12

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors
The appellation, "brethren", is not used, because they were so by nation or by blood, though many in the church at Rome were Jews; nor merely in a free familiar way of speaking; but rather on account of church membership, and especially because they were in the same spiritual relation to God and Christ: and the use of it by the apostle, shows his great humility and condescension, and his love and affection for them, and is designed to engage their attention and regard to what he was about to say, to them and of them; as that they were "debtors"; which is to be understood of them not as sinners, who as such had been greatly in debt, and had nothing to pay, and were liable to the prison of hell; for no mere creature could ever have paid off their debts; but Christ has done it for them, and in this sense they were not debtors: but they were so as saints, as men freed from condemnation and death; which doctrine of Christian liberty is no licentious one; it does not exempt from obedience, but the more and greater the favours are which such men enjoy, the more obliged they are to be grateful and obey; they are debtors, or trader obligation,

not to the flesh,
to corrupt nature,

to live after the flesh,
the dictates of that; nor should they be, both on God's account, since that is enmity to him, and is not subject to his law; and on their own account, because it is an enemy to them, brings reproach on them, and exposes them to death; but though it is not expressed, it is understood, that they are debtors to God; to God the Father, both as the God of nature, and of grace, as their covenant God and Father in Christ, who has blessed them with all spiritual blessings in him; to Christ himself, who has redeemed them by his blood: and to the Spirit of God who is in them, and for what he has been, is, and will be to them.

Romans 8:12 In-Context

10 But if Christ is in you, though your body must die because of sin, yet your spirit has Life because of righteousness.

11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead is dwelling in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead will give Life also to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who dwells in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, it is not to our lower natures that we are under obligation that we should live by their rule.

13 For if you so live, death is near; but if, through being under the sway of the spirit, you are putting your old bodily habits to death, you will live.

14 For those who are led by God's Spirit are, all of them, God's sons.