The Epistle of ROMANS

Chapter Eight – (Part Three)

[Note: Read Parts One and Two before proceeding.]

15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption [sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Literal: For you have not received the spirit of bondage (slavery) again leading you back into a life of fear.

This 'fear is the effect or outward manifestation of moral cowardice. This bondage spirit makes people afraid to live for the true God and speak the Word when they should. Abba' is the pronunciation, in our Savior's time, in Hebrew, of the word 'father'. This term is mentioned again in Galatians 4: 6. We have received (lambano) the spirit when born again that makes us sons of God.

Hebrews 2: 15 -- And deliver them who through fear of death were all [through] their lifetime subject to bondage [slavery].

II Timothy 1: 7 -- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I John 4: 18 -- There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Again, the term 'Abba, Father' is derived from the Aramaic 'Aba' and is transliterated 'abba' in Greek. The relationship between God and Jesus Christ was most intimate. The term 'aba' is described as 'the speech of the child to his father.' This expresses the most intimate fellowship available between father and son. In our language today, it could be translated 'Daddy'. In other words, talking terms with God. In the two church epistles where it is used, it demonstrates the Christian's freedom from law and ritual and underscores his intimate relationship with God as His Father.

16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Literal: The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. This is one of the benefits of speaking in tongues in keeping us aware that we are God's children and joint-heirs with Christ.

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 together.

Literal: And if children, also heirs: heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer together, that also we may be glorified together.

We have a legal right to everything that Jesus Christ had if we will believe. We can do what Christ did and more if we believe. How can you then talk negatively or be full of fear or act like you are defeated? YOU ARE NOT DEFEATED. Satan has been defeated and the power of God is in you today. Keep doing your best and have patience. We, as members of the Church have tremendous wealth. Learn how to believe for this wealth to be manifested in your life. KEEP GOD FIRST AND FOREMOST, DO YOUR BEST AND GOD WILL DO THE REST.

18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Literal: For I reckon (consider) that the sufferings of the present time that we now endure are not worthy to be compared (bear no comparison) to the splendour and glory, as yet unrevealed, which is in store for us and shall be made manifest to us.

The persecutions which we now suffer are short compared to the joys of the new heaven and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, and of which there shall be no end.

II Corinthians 4: 17 -- For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, [in light of the hope], worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

I Peter 1: 5, 6, 7 -- Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

These temptations, pressure and sufferings are nothing to be compared with what is in store for you. God says these things will happen. Do your best to minimize this by walking by the Spirit and avoiding all activities that tend to make you negative. Do the Word and you will rejoice in the midst of these negative circumstances. Your low point should be an unbeliever's high point. Remember that preventive believing is the best insurance against warding off attacks. Cover all your bases and always remember:

Attention to detail is the difference between success and failure.

Follow your heart (the spirit of God within you), not your five senses. Once you start doing what the unbeliever is doing, you are headed for a catastrophe. Walk by the spirit of God Almighty, not by the five senses.

19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Literal: [New English Translation] -- For the created universe waits with eager expectation for God's sons to be revealed.

II Peter 3: 13 -- Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

20. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Literal: For the created universe was made the victim of and made subject to vanity (emptiness, folly lacking understanding, sense, or rational conduct), not willingly, but on account of Him who hath subjected it, but yet there was hope.

This 'hope' is the firmly held expectation of a future good.

21. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Literal: Because the universe or creation itself shall be freed from the bondage of corruption and enter into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

In reference to verse 20, remember what happened back in Genesis 3: 17? That's when the created universe was made victim to vanity. Because of what Adam did, God said, "cursed is the ground for thy sake". Some of this section is in reference to the third heaven and earth which is still in the future.

22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Literal: For we know that the whole creation (earth) groans in distress and travails as if in the pangs of childbirth.

This is the result of original sin which had legal consequences. We are still in this state and will be there until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Literal: Not only so, but we, ourselves having the first fruits of the Spirit (the nine manifestations), groan within ourselves, waiting for the end result of our sonship, the redemption of our body from the grave.

When you read the verse in its entirety, you can see that even though we have Christ in us, we still groan within ourselves as if in distress waiting for the return of Jesus Christ and the manifestation of the fulness of our Sonship. Part of that is the abolishment of death and the grave and acquiring our new body which is incorruptible. The term 'groaning' is mentioned in other parts of the Bible.

II Corinthians 5: 2 -- For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

II Corinthians 5: 4 -- For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

24. For we are [were] saved by [to] hope: but hope that is not seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Literal: For we were saved to hope. Now to see is no longer to hope. Why should a man endure and wait for what he already sees?

25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience [stamina or endurance] wait for it.

Literal: But if we hope for something we do not yet see, then, in waiting for it, we demonstrate patience, stamina, and endurance.

26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities [should be singular]: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [The words "for us" do not appear in the text.]

Literal: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity regarding our prayer life, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit intercedes with groanings which cannot be uttered or expressed in words.

Speaking in tongues is perfect prayer and God made this available to us because we cannot pray perfectly with our understanding. However, it is still best for us to pray BOTH with our understanding and by the spirit.

James 4: 3 -- Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Except for the time during the day when you pray with your understanding, there is no reason that you should not be speaking in tongues and allowing your spirit to be praying for exactly what you should be praying for since this is the only perfect way to pray. When your needs and wants are parallel and the spirit inside you knows when this condition is correct, the gospel of John says:

John 14: 14 -- If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.

You may mention something to God with your understanding, but if you want to pray for whatever you really need and want, pray perfectly for it. It makes no sense to do otherwise. And the next time God teaches you something, you may want to keep it to yourself. Keep privacy between yourself and God. God will teach you what you can say and what you should keep between yourself and God. Make sure you guard your heart and continue to allow God to keep that spiritual wall of protection around you. Remember, the renewed mind is your key to power. Without it, your old man and all your old ways will come back. SPEAK IN TONGUES if you have been instructed properly to do so -- don't think about it or try to figure it out -- just do it. It's a commandment of the Lord. Believe and act, THEN, and only then, will you see results. As your thoughts become more clear and under your control, you can then see where action is needed regarding the simple and basic principles of the Word.

27. And he [God] that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he [it] maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [the will of' is in italics and can be deleted.]

Literal: And God who searches our hearts knows what is the mind (phronema - thoughts) of the pneuma (spirit) because it makes intercession (intercedes) for the saints (born again believers) according to God or in God's own way.

Interlinear: But He (God) who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the spirit, because according to God, He intercedes for the saints.

The spirit of God that we have within us is perfect so it knows what we should pray for. When we speak in tongues, we pray according to God's standards and God who searches our hearts knows what is the mind or thoughts of our pneuma. Our spirit prays perfectly for exactly what needs to be prayed for at that time. The more you speak in tongues in your private prayer life, the more dynamic your life will be here on earth. You must learn to speak in tongues willfully and cheerfully as much as possible during your day.

28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Literal: And we know that all things work together for good (to their advantage) to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

You have got to have God first to be at this advantage. You must learn to walk by the Spirit, not constantly hitch-hiking on someone else's knowledge. Keep progressing and applying more of God's Word each day. Don't stay in a comfortable rut -- keep improving in your renewed mind walk. Do your best and God will do the rest! Keep God first and then everything will work to your advantage.

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