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Romans 08 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The first verse of this chapter forms a transitional sentence. It concludes the teaching of chapter 7 and anticipates the material of chapter 8.
Some translations indent each line of poetry to make it easier to read. The ULB does this with the poetry in 8:36. All of these lines are quoted from the OT.
Special concepts in this chapter
Indwelling of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is said to live inside a person or inside their heart. The presence of the Spirit is a sign of a person's salvation. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/save)
"These are sons of God"
While Jesus is the Son of God in a unique way, Christians are also said to be children of God by adoption. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofgod and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/adoption)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Metaphor
Verses 38 and 39 form an extended metaphor producing a poetic presentation of Paul's teaching. Its explains that nothing can separate a person from the love of God in Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
On the one hand ... on the other hand
These phrases are used to speak of two things simultaneously. These two things are usually contrasted with each other, but it is not necessary that they contrast.
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
No condemnation
This phrase must be translated careful to avoid doctrinal confusion. People are still guilty of their sin and God disapproves of their actions, even after they come to faith in Jesus. Their sins are still punished but the punishment for sin has been paid and this is what Paul expresses here. There are several possible meanings to the word "condemn." Here "condemn" emphasizes that people who believe in Jesus are are no longer punished eternally for their sin by being "condemned to hell." (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/guilt, rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/condemn)
Flesh
This is a complex issue and it is possible that "flesh" is a metaphor for a person's sinful nature. It is not the physical part of man that is sinful and it appears that Paul is teaching that while man remains alive ("in the flesh"), he will remain sinful regardless of his effort. His new nature will fight against his old nature. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/flesh)