Romans 8:12
What does Romans 8:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:12 means
Because of all that God has done—freeing us from condemnation, indwelling us by his Spirit, and promising resurrection—we are debtors, but not to the flesh. The flesh has given us nothing but bondage and death; we owe it no allegiance. Our obligation is to live in step with the Spirit who gave us life. This is not a burdensome duty but a grateful acknowledgment of grace. The verse gently but firmly redirects loyalty: stop paying the flesh with obedience; render your members to the Spirit for righteousness. The call to holy living arises from identity and destiny, not fear of rejection, since our standing in Christ is established.
Romans 8:12 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 · 2000So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So then, my brothers, we are in debt, not to the flesh to be living in the way of the flesh:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862So, then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh;
Context
Verses 10–11 assured believers of present spiritual life and future bodily resurrection. In light of such gifts, verse 12 states a moral implication: we are not obligated to the flesh. The warning sharpens in verse 13, contrasting the deadly outcome of living by the flesh with the life promised to those who, by the Spirit, put sinful practices to death. This transition moves the argument from comfort to commitment, showing how assurance fuels sanctification.
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.
v.12This passage
v.13for 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19
Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;
- Psalms 116:16
O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.
- 1 Peter 4:2
that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
- Romans 6:2
God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:12
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:12 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:12 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:12 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:12 teaches us about final perseverance
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