Romans 8:4
What does Romans 8:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:4 means
God’s purpose in condemning sin in Christ was not only to acquit us but to produce real righteousness in our lives. The “righteous requirement of the law” is fulfilled in believers as they walk by the Spirit, not by indulging the flesh. This does not mean sinless perfection, nor a return to self-reliant law-keeping. Rather, it is Spirit-enabled obedience arising from a new heart, aligned with God’s will. The moral aim of the law—love for God and neighbor—begins to be realized in us. The focus shifts from mere avoidance of condemnation to the positive transformation of character and conduct. God’s saving work thus includes both justification and sanctification, inseparably joined in Christ.
Romans 8:4 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 · 2000that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that what was ordered by the law might be done in us, who are living, not in the way of the flesh, but in the way of the Spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890in order that the righteous requirement of the law should be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to flesh but according to Spirit.
Context
After highlighting the cross in verse 3, Paul shows the ethical outcome. Salvation’s goal is not only status change but life change. Verse 4 connects God’s action in Christ to our Spirit-led walk, bridging doctrine and practice. The next section (vv. 5–8) unpacks the contrast between flesh and Spirit in terms of mindset and destiny, explaining why those who walk by the Spirit fulfill God’s righteous aims while those ruled by the flesh face death and hostility toward God.
v.3For 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:
v.4This passage
v.5For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 1:22
yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him:
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Revelation 14:5
And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.
- Hebrews 12:23
to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
- Ephesians 5:26
that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
- Galatians 5:16
But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:4
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:4 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:4 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:4 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:4 teaches us about final perseverance
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