ROMANS CHAPTER 8:1-18
INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN
I. INTRODUCTION:
'Our spirit can and must prevail over our flesh. We must not "walk" (pattern our life) after our flesh, but after our spirit; and God helps those who truly give their hearts to Him. From the first, Paul assumes the saint's heart has been "captured" for Christ (Cf. 2 Cor. 8:5). God's law is written there (Heb. 8:10); so he can say "to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (8:6). But he does not leave any to think subjective "feelings" are our standard. We are "in the spirit" only if our spirit is led by the Spirit of God (8:14). We cannot discuss at length the Spirit's "indwelling", but this text makes it clear Christ must also be in us. Other scriptures speak of God, the word, and faith indwelling saints, to the extent they accept divine truth and allow it to influence their lives (see Eph. 4:17f). Here, Paul is urging the saints to allow their instructed spirits to prevail over their flesh..'
We need to keep in mind that Paul is still presenting arguments against those that claimed the gospel that he preached encouraged immoral living. Verse 12 in this chapter is a summary of his argument up to that point and it clearly shows that he is dealing with the issue of Christian responsibility.
II. COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER 8:1-18:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.
'Now"-what good news! I can be right with God 'now'!
'Condemnation'-2631. katakrima {kat-ak'-ree-mah}; from 2632; an adverse sentence (the verdict): -condemnation. Sentence of condemnation (Vincent p. 85)
-KATAKRINO (verb)-signifies to give judgement against, pass sentence upon; hence, to condemn (Romans 8:3). KATAKRIMA (noun), is the sentence pronounced, the condemnation with a suggestion of the punishment following (Romans 5:16,18; 8:1)
Outside of Christ, both Jew and Gentile found themselves under 'condemnation' (Romans 3:9,23).
'them..in Christ Jesus'-'And who is this blessed immunity for? To people "in Christ Jesus". And how does one get "into Christ Jesus"? (Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:26-27), i.e. faith and baptism.
Here is one more passage that stresses the fact that only 'in Christ' is salvation found. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:3) There is condemnation in all other religions!
'As to whether he (the person 'in Christ Jesus') may or may not come into condemnation is not the matter under discussion..the fact that the person who has come into Christ is free from his former condemnation'.
If such a person lives for God (8:6 'mind set on the Spirit is life and peace') he will escape future condemnation, but if a Christian obeys the lusts of the flesh (and refuses to repent), he will find himself under condemnation again (8:13 'for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die..'; Hebrews 10:26ff)
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
"For"-Why are those "in Christ Jesus" no longer under condemnation?
"law of the Spirit of life"-this must be the Gospel message (1:16). "It would be absurd to think that Paul started in to prove that the gospel is God's power for saving people, and then reached the conclusion that some other law saves us, or frees us, from sin and spiritual death."
The Gospel Message is the 'law, rule, principle or authority' revealed through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:3-5), which brings "life" to those that obey it.
'Why does he bring the Holy Spirit in at this juncture? ..he wishes to introduce the Spirit at this point .. to connect it with the coming redemption of our bodies (8:23) and to mention that he is on our side in the struggle against sin..'
"law of sin and death"-this isn't the Law of Moses, for that was 'good' (7:12,14,22). Neither can this be 'universal moral law', for such 'morals' were incorporated into the Law of Moses and the Gospel. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) In addition, Paul had already spent almost half a chapter exonerating the law from any blame.
-'from the rule of sin that kills' (Beck); 'of the old vicious circle of sin and death' (Phi). The gospel message has liberated us from the bondage of sin that brings spiritual death. (6:6 'no longer slaves to sin'; 6:14 'for sin shall not be master over you'; 6:16 'sin resulting in death'; 6:17-18 'you were the slaves of sin..and having been freed from sin')
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
"the law could not do"-The moral law of God whether expressed in the Mosaic scriptures or as it was taught among the Gentiles. Neither 'law' could release one from sin (3:9,23). Neither law could bring people to a state of 'no condemnation'.
"weak through the flesh"-'thwarted as it was by human frailty' (Wey). Nothing was wrong with the Law that God gave (7:12). " It was only "weak" in relation to the flesh. The holy law depended on unaided human moral performance to get what it aimed at (flawless obedience). It failed to get it. Not because it was bad or poor in itself, but because the people who were under that Law failed to live up to it."
The Hebrew writer says that the "fault" that God found in the First Covenant, was with the people under it. (Heb. 8:7-8)
"God, sending his own Son"-What the Law couldn't do, GOD DID! And God did it by giving his only Son! So much for those that complain that God hasn't done anything for them!
"likeness"-3667. homoioma {hom-oy'-o-mah}; from 3666; a form; abstractly, resemblance: -made like to, likeness, shape, similitude. The Son of God entered this world in a body like ours. (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14,17; Phil. 2:7-8)
"sinful flesh"-'The idea of evil attaches to the flesh not in virtue of what it is essentially, but from the undue preponderance which is given to it.."Flesh" is spoken of as "sinful" because of the universal "giving in of the flesh" to sin, which is characteristic of mankind. It is the same adaptation of terms that allows "worldly" to mean sinful..not that God's creation is sinful of itself..Flesh, per se, is not sinful.' (1) Adam had a flesh and blood body before He sinned (Genesis 2:7; 1:28,29; 2:9; 3:6). (2) Jesus partook of a flesh and blood body, and yet didn't sin (Heb. 2:14,17; 1 Peter 2:22-24)
'When Adam and Eve were first created, they had all that belongs to human nature. Sin came into their lives as "a foreign element".'
'Sinful flesh' is human nature prostituted. It is people using their bodies and faculties for wicked purposes.'
"For sin"-i.e to deal with Sin (John 1:29).
"condemned sin in the flesh"-'He condemned the sin of men and the condemnation took place in the flesh of Jesus' (Robertson p. 372)
'Christ's death exhibits God's condemnation of sin in the flesh'
1. Some people look at the cross and think, 'Jesus took care of everything, now I can sin all I want and still be automatically forgiven'. Paul sees a very different picture. The fact that the Son of God had to die because of the sins that people had committed, SHOULD ONCE AND FOR ALL REVEAL GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SIN, IT IS CONDEMNED!
2. 'Jesus came and lived a sinless life (in the flesh) of resistance to Sin THUS condemning sin in us. We didn't need to let sin rule in us; but we did. There can be no excuses (ultimately). Into the world came one who, fighting with our weapons (Matthew 4), resisted sin and wouldn't permit it to rule.'
Thus the foolishness of arguing that the Christian can continue in sin. How can we honestly continue in sin, when the very Son of God that we claim to serve had to die for sins?
Romans 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
"that"-in order that, with this purpose in mind. God sent His Son to die for sin, 'in order that'.
"ordinance"-1345. dikaioma {dik-ah'-yo-mah}; from 1344; an equitable deed; by implication, a statute or decision: -judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness.
-'righteous requirement of the law' (Rhm)
The requirement of the law was sinlessness, perfection, flawlessness. (Gal. 3:12) The complete fulfillment of all the statues in the law.
'Paul is making it very clear that his doctrine doesn't oppose a life of holiness and logically lead to a life of sinning (6:1). Indeed not. What the Law condemned (violations of it, sin) was condemned in Christ (8:3). What the Law wanted (innocence, absence of guilt due to flawlessness) was secured in Christ The Law sought for God, acceptable service. It couldn't get it from sinners for it demanded sinlessness. But in Christ, not only was a sinless record gained for the believer (8:1) (through obedient faith and forgiveness) but a life of practical holiness..'
"who walk not after the flesh"-to walk is to live or conduct oneself in a certain way. 'Manner of life'.
"after the flesh"-'To live in or after the flesh is to live as though there were nothing but the flesh.' It is to allow our physical body to be used as the instrument of sin (6:13,16); it is to allow our desires to be corrupted (Gal. 5:16); it is to place too much importance upon the 'world' (1 John 2:15); to set our minds on earthly things (Col. 3:2); to make the things of the material world our highest ambition (Phil. 3:19; Matthew 6:19,32). It is to depend utterly upon oneself.
"but after the Spirit"-remember, it was the translators who decided when to capitalize the word 'Spirit'. The Christian is to follow ('walk') after the instructions of the Spirit revealed in the Gospel (1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37); but the Christian's own 'spirit' (inner man) must cooperate (7:22; Colossians 3:1-2).
Note: The righteous requirement of the Law is ONLY fulfilled in Christians who 'walk after the Spirit'. It is only in this condition that the blood of Christ forgives sin and thus enables you to remain in a state of 'no condemnation'. Paul offers no comfort for the unfaithful (those who persist in sin and refuse to repent (Heb. 10:26ff) in these verses. (8:8,9,13). **Paul is talking to Christians in these verses, Christians that could 'walk after the flesh', if they wanted to.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
"Mind"-to give our time and attention to. (Whiteside p. 171) 'People who are controlled by the physical think of what is physical' (Gspd) To think, to put the mind on (Robertson p. 373) Their moral interest, their thought and study (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 646) To direct the mind to something, and so to seek or strive for (Matthew 16:23; Phil. 3:19; Col. 3:2). (Vincent p. 90)
"the things of the flesh"-such things as listed in Galatians 5:19-21 and Matthew 6:32.
Note: Some argue that sin is permissible, 'just so long as your heart is right'. Paul disagrees. One ends up committing sin for the very reason that their 'heart/mind' is not in the right place. Jesus agreed. (Mark 7:20-23) James pointed out that one sins, gives into temptation, when they allow themselves to be "carried away" (something that happens in the heart) by their own lusts. (James 1:14)
"after the Spirit"-i.e. who walk after the Spirit. The desire to serve God..of course this desire is futile apart from the directions of the Holy Spirit. (8:14-16)
"the things of the Spirit"-'they who live after the spirit, give their attention to spiritual things' (Mon). Those things that please God. For starters, such things as are found in Galatians 5:22-23 and 2 Peter 1:5-11.
This verse reveals that people accomplish 'spiritual things' because that is where their 'attention, focus, interest, heart and mind' is! The person that argues, 'Well I really wanted to be at services, I was planning on coming.. but somehow the day got away from me or somehow I didn't make it', isn't telling the truth.
Romans 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
"Mind of the flesh"-'to set the mind on the flesh' (Nor). Fleshy thinking and striving (Vincent p. 90) The person who loves the things of this material world, more than God. (1 John 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:4)
"is death"-spiritual death (for even faithful Christians experience physical death). So much for envying our non-Christian neighbors that 'get' to spend their Sunday's boating on the river, sleeping in, fishing, etc...it may look like they are "livin", but God says they are "dead men".
Remember the "mind of the flesh" includes more than the 'gutter life'. It includes good moral neighbors that refuse to serve God and it also includes self-righteousness and religious hypocrisy. (Matthew 6:1-4).
"mind of the Spirit"-"spiritually minded" (KJV); 'whereas to set the mind on the Spirit brings life and peace' (Nor). Those who allow themselves to bring their thinking into line with God's thinking. (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 2:5; 3:15; 4:8).
Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
"because"-the reason why 'setting the mind on the flesh results in death'.
"enmity"-2189. echthra {ekh'-thrah}; feminine of 2190; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition: -enmity, hatred. 'because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God' (NASV); 'This is because the fleshy mind hates God' (Beck) **Colossians 1:21 'formerly alienated and hostile in mind'.
-Personal animosity, hatred, dislike, and opposition directed against God. (Lenski p. 506)
"This verses makes it very clear that all who minimize sin are doing God no favor. They are doing no one any favor. Sin sought annihilation of God. God came into our world and showed himself plainly in Christ and Sin sought his utter destruction. Sin, manifesting itself in decadence and religious corruption; sin manifesting itself in love of money (Judas), self-preservation at any cost (the council of John 11:47-53), lust after political success (Pilate)..sin sought to annihilate God!"
"for it is not subject to the law of God"-'for it does not subject itself to the law of God' (NASV); 'for it refuses to obey God's law' (Gspd). Present tense here means continued insubordination. (Robertson p. 373)
Note: This verse infers that the 'mind of the spirit', to be spiritually-minded is to subject oneself to the law of God. (1 John 2:4-5)
"neither indeed can it be"-'It does not mean that a person who lives a worldly life cannot turn from it and himself become subject to the law of God; but it does mean that a person cannot live for the things of this life and at the same time be subject to God.' (Matthew 6:24; James 4:4)
Minding the flesh and serving God are two things that cannot be made to harmonize! So much for those that claim 'Christianity has nothing to do with my personal life'. Many people fool themselves into thinking that they can serve God acceptably and yet hold on to a mental perspective that is filled with immoral and godless thoughts. Paul says, 'as long as a person allows their heart/love/mind/affections to be centered on the things of this physical world, there is no way that such an individual is going to subject themselves to the law of God. Therefore, how ridiculous to say that my gospel teaches that Christians can continue in sin!
Romans 8:8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:9 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.
"But"-'You can please God, for you are not in the flesh'. Note: 'In the flesh', means something different than being subject to temptation or having the tendency to sin, for Christians still experience that. (1 Cor. 10:23; 1 John 1:8-10) 'In the flesh' is the 'mind set on the flesh', i.e. serving the flesh, letting the flesh be your master.
"but in the Spirit"-a mind set on spiritual things, the things revealed by the Holy Spirit.
"if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you"
"Dwelleth"-this verse brings up the topic of the 'indwelling of the Spirit'. Specifically 'how' does the Spirit dwell in one? Many advocate a 'personal indwelling'. And yet, we need to recognize that all of Deity is said to 'dwell' in the Christian (8:10 'if Christ is in you'; John 14:23. Commenting on John 14:23, Robert Turner says, 'Does this necessitate the conclusion that after we have loved the Lord, and kept His words, then, as a third happening, the indwelling takes place? Could not the love, the obedience, and the indwelling be inseparable?', i.e. doesn't God 'dwell' in the faithful when His word is influencing the way they live? Compare Ephesians 5:18 'filled with the Spirit'; and Colossians 3:16 'Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you'.
"but if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ"-this verse confirms to me that the "in-dwelling" in the context is to be understood as the person who is allowing themselves to be influenced and regulated by the message from God. For the man that hath the 'Spirit of Christ' in the context is the man who is minding the things of the Spirit, who has his mind set on spiritual things. The man whose God's word has a place in (John 8:37) But if the 'in-dwelling' is personal, something apart from the Word of God, then some serious questions arise:
"When we conceive of the Spirit "directing, leading or influencing" apart from the word, sinner or saint, there is more at stake than differing opinions of "good men". Does the Holy Spirit direct regardless of the human will? i.e., is man left free to accept or reject that "direction"? Is the "influence" irresistible, or can man say "No"! to the Spirit? If the leading is irresistible then free agency has been shot down. If the alien can resist, because of the 'old man' "in" him, but the saint cannot resist the indwelling Holy Spirit...then the spirit of Satan is stronger than the Spirit of God. How strongly do we believe in free will or free agency? But that isn't all. If we hold to the free will of man then the "leading" of the Spirit must come in some way EXTERNAL to the mind of man. Man must be able to approach the "lead" objectively, understand it, and respond positively or negatively. That "leading" or "influence" then becomes a form of teaching--in essence, revelation of divine will in addition to the written word. Certainly we should not allow indwelling concepts to contradict clearly taught Bible truth.' (Plain Talk, Robert Turner)
This all brings us back to the written word of God, the all-sufficient revelation that God has given (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3). Deity is said to 'dwell' in me when I am allowing the message from God to rule my life.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
"the body is dead because of sin"-'THOUGH the body is dead' (NASV); 'although your bodies must die because of sin' (Wms). 'The body, it cannot be denied, is dead because of sin: the experience we call death is inevitable for it' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 646) 'Has the seeds of death in it and will die' because of sin. (Robertson p. 373)
'The usual understanding of the phrase is that it is condemned to die (as a consequence of sin entering the world-Genesis 3). It already has the 'seeds of death' in it so Paul calls it dead.'
But Paul may have something else under consideration. The body which was used as an instrument for sin (6:16), has been put to death (put out of commission) 'because of sin' (in order to stop it), by those who belong to Christ. (Galatians 5:24)
"but the spirit is life because of righteousness"-it seems that 'spirit' here means the 'human spirit'. 'Your spirit is full of life' (Mon), because you have been made righteous.
Paul's point here could be the same as in 2 Corinthians 4:16. Even though the physical body will die (as a consequence of sin), the souls of those 'in Christ' are flourishing and enjoying spiritual life.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
"shall give life also to your mortal bodies"-there is some discussion here concerning what 'resurrection' is under consideration.
Whiteside argues: 'But does our resurrection from the dead depend upon the Spirit's dwelling in us? Do not the Scriptures plainly teach that the wicked, as well as the righteous, will be raised? (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15)..He had just stated that the body was dead because of sin--no longer an instrument of sin. But it is to remain altogether inactive? It is not to be brought into any kind of activity in the life of the Christian?'
Both resurrections are found in this section (8:23; 6:6,12-13).
Romans 8:12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:
"So then"-a summation, and an answer to those that would claim that Paul's gospel led to immoral living.
"debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh"-'we owe nothing to' (TCNT); 'we owe a duty--but it is not to the flesh!' (Mof). Paul's gospel taught a moral obligation, BUT IT WASN'T TO THE FLESH! (1 Peter 4:3)
Paul isn't teaching that Christian's couldn't sin (they could-8:13), rather, that Christians have NO MORAL RIGHT NOR OBLIGATION TO SIN. So much for those that claim, 'I know it's wrong, but I just needed to do something for myself, I just needed to let off some steam.'
Romans 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
"ye must die"-i.e. spiritually. Paul is talking to Christians. 'Are Christians capable of dying spiritually? Of course! If anyone sows to the flesh (Gal. 6:8) he reaps corruption. Some would go back to depend on their moral capital (Gal. 3:3)--that means death. Some would go back to live sinfully (2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 2:20-22)..that means death. The death here cannot be physical since however a person lives he will die physically.' The same truth was taught in the O.T. (Ezekiel 18:24)
Therefore the "indwelling of the Spirit" in Romans 8 isn't some kind of "enabling power" that keeps the Christian away from sin or removes all desire to sin. It's not a "leading" of the Spirit that violates or OVER-RULES free-will.
"by the Spirit"-it is the teaching delivered by the Spirit that reveals what 'deeds of the body' we must remove. (Colossians 3:5ff; Ephesians 4:25-5:11)
"put to death"-present active, 'to continue to put to death'. 'The Spirit doesn't do the killing for the saint as a sort of substitutionary work. Sanctification involves the sinner.'
(1 Peter 1:14-16)
"ye shall live"-can the Christian treat sin in a casual manner? Certainly not! Spiritual life is conditional.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
"led"-and how does the 'Spirit of God' lead or guide? Through the word of God, of course.
'We can recognize no activity as pleasing or displeasing to God except by the Spirit's teaching. We can have no sure knowledge of the way in which we ought to go unless there is a foundation of special revelation.'
"these are sons of God"-here is the test, who are the 'sons of God'? Only those who allow themselves to be led by the Spirit's teaching. Period. Jesus agreed (Matthew 12:48-50; 7:21-23) Jesus said that 'sonship' is determined by 'who' a person is allowing to influence their life. (John 8:37-44 'You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father..')
'Show me one who lives in sin and I will show you one who is not guided by the Spirit. Show me one who is not guided by the Spirit and I will show you one who is not a son of God.' THIS HOLY SPIRIT LEADS NO ONE INTO A LIFE OF SIN THAT GRACE MAY ABOUND.'
Romans 8:15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
"spirit of bondage"- the Holy Spirit didn't bring a message that simply swapped one form of fear-bringing slavery for another. (Something to seriously consider for those that are always worrying about their salvation) Being led by the Spirit shouldn't produce in the son of God an attitude or disposition of slavish fear. Instead, being a son of God should have led us into an attitude of confidence to approach God and call Him our Father.
"We cry"-of a loud cry; expressing deep emotion (Vincent p. 91)
"Abba"-is the Aramaic word for father. We can approach the Father with the same confidence that Jesus did (Mark 14:36). The familiar term by which Hebrew children addressed their fathers.
'The term "adoption" may smack somewhat of artificiality in our ears; but in the first century A.D. an adopted son was a son deliberately chosen by his adoptive father to perpetuate his name and inherit his estate; he was no whit inferior in status to a son born in the ordinary course of nature.'
The above verse reminds us that Christians, sons of God are to serve their Father from a heart, that includes more than 'fear'. (Matthew 22:37)
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:
'And how does the Spirit witness "with" our spirit. The word of the Spirit is what gives us our assurance that we are God's children. I know in my soul in the light of what the Spirit has written and had preached that I have submitted to the Christ ON HIS TERMS.' (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) And right now my life is manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
"I hear an endless stream of testimony on the matter of experiences which prove this or that or the other thing. There are many who plainly set aside the word of the Spirit (which we know is the product of the Spirit) to base assurance on some experience or other (which we don't know is of the Spirit). There is far too much talk about personal experiences...and not enough talk about the personal experience of our Lord Jesus Christ...IF WE BELIEVED THE SPIRIT DID ALL THAT WE ARE TOLD HE DID; AND IF WE BELIEVE ALL THE MESSAGES THE SPIRIT IS SAID TO HAVE GIVEN WE'D LIVE IN UTTER CONFUSION...The Spirit has borne testimony in the Bible, let's major in that. Let's interpret our experiences by the Bible, and not the Bible by our experiences.'
Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with {him}, that we may be also glorified with {him}.
"if children"-and being a 'child', demands that we pattern ourselves after the Father. (Matthew 5:48) 'If indeed we are of God's family, what sort of conduct, then, is becoming to us?' (1 Timothy 3:15)
"then heirs"-'heirs earn nothing! The question of merit or earning is out of the question. Heirs are given things'
This is simply the universal rule of mankind, if your a child, then your an heir. 'Roman law made all children, including adopted ones, equal heritors' (Vincent p. 92)
"Joint-heirs with Christ"-Christ considers us as brothers. (Hebrews 2:11 '..He is not ashamed to call them brethren')
"if so be"-salvation is conditional.
"that we suffer with him"-'suffering' for right is simply the natural outcome of such identification with Christ. (2 Timothy 3:12). Being apart of God's family, means STANDING FOR WHAT THE FAMILY, THE OLDER BROTHER AND THE FATHER STAND FOR! (1 Peter 2:21; 4:12ff; 5:8ff)
"glorified with him"-at the last day, and God accomplishes that. (Revelation 3:21)
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.
"I reckon"-'I consider' (RSV); 'It implies reasoning, "I judge after calculation made".' (Vincent p. 92). I am convinced. 'Denotes no doubt, but confident assurance'. (Erdman p. 99)
Here is where many fail. It's not because their own sufferings are worse or more difficult than others (1 Corinthians 10:23), but it is because they are NOT convinced that heaven is far more than worth the suffering of the present time. They don't need an easier life, rather they need greater faith.
"sufferings of this present time"-in the context the suffering that comes upon one because of his loyalty to Christ. (Acts 14:22)
"not worthy to be compared"-Paul dismisses the suffering of the present time because he has his eye on incomparable glory. He isn't saying that suffering isn't real (The Christian Science view that suffering is illusory, is just plain ungodly, for that means that Jesus' suffering on the cross was only an illusion.) Neither is he saying that suffering is 'no big deal'.
"with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward"-such future glory is 'certain' for the faithful. (Matthew 5:12 '..for your reward in heaven is great'; 1 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:17 'glory far beyond all comparison')