Romans 8:10
What does Romans 8:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:10 means
When Christ dwells in believers, a paradox appears: the body remains subject to death because of sin’s entry into the world, yet the human spirit has life because of righteousness. Physical mortality persists in this age, reminding us of sin’s seriousness. But there is real spiritual life now, grounded not in our righteousness but in Christ’s righteousness counted to us and worked in us by the Spirit. This life is more than a feeling; it is restored relationship with God, new desires, and power for holiness. The verse holds the already and not-yet together: inward renewal in the present, bodily mortality for now, and a pledge of full restoration to come, secured by union with Christ.
Romans 8:10 in context
Romans 8 — No Condemnation, No Separation
The high-water mark of Paul's letters. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death; the same Spirit cries 'Abba, Father' in our hearts and assures us we are children and heirs. Suffering is real, but the glory ahead is incomparably greater. All things work together for good to those who love God. And nothing — neither death nor life nor angels nor things present nor things to come — shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Justification
- Indwelling Spirit
- Adoption
- Final perseverance
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if Christ <FI>is<Fi> in you, the body, indeed, <FI>is<Fi> dead because of sin, and the Spirit <FI>is<Fi> life because of righteousness,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if Christ be in you, the body indeed is dead, because of sin: but the spirit liveth, because of justification.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but if Christ be in you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit life on account of righteousness.
Context
Verse 9 identified believers as those indwelt by the Spirit and belonging to Christ. Verse 10 explains the mixed experience that follows: inner life despite ongoing physical death. This prepares for verse 11’s grand promise that the God who raised Jesus will also give life to our mortal bodies through his indwelling Spirit. Together, these verses bridge assurance of present grace with confidence in future resurrection, setting the stage for ethical implications in verses 12–13.
v.9But 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.
v.10This passage
v.11But 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:19
Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also.
- John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;
- Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:
- 2 Corinthians 5:6
Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
- John 6:54
He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
- Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:10
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:10 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:10 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:10 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:10 teaches us about final perseverance
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