1) Paul begins in v. 1 with a conclusion: Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death. It is worth noting that Calvin thought that the "law of sin and death" referred to our fallen desires and death in general, not to the Old Testament law. His reason is that Paul, while speaking of the OT law's stirring up in us rebellion, is also quick to say that the law is good and from God. Wesley, on the other hand, thinks Paul is referring to the Old Testament. In verse 3, Paul goes on to say that wile the law was powerless to save us ecause it was weakened by the sinful nature, God was able to do by sending his Son to be a sin offering so that the righteous requirements of the law would be met in us. This is a good summary statement of the purposes of God in sending Jesus Christ to earth.
What are the different ways that the term condemnation can be understood in verse 1? Who do you think is right in the interpretation of the "law of sin and death" in verse 2? Keeping in mind that Paul is giving a theological history of God's interraction with humanity, how does this passage show what God's purposes are with regard to His relationship with us?
2) In verses 5-17, Paul talks about the difference in having a mind controlled by the Spirit and one controlled by the sinful nature. Paul begins by saying that whichever nature one lives according to, that is what a person's mind will be set on.
--What does this passage have to say about the interraction between the will/appetites and one's mind?
In verses 6-8, Paul states that the sinful mind is death and hostile to God's law, unable to submit to Him. As a result, the person controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Conversely, the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Wesley notes that two signs of a spiritual life is that it brings life to others, and is at peace with God. Calvin is quick to note that this passage shows that the power of free will does not exist with respect to submission to God, and that this passage shows man is totally corrupt and totally unable to come to God, even with His help.
--What does it mean when Paul says a person controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God? How does this tie in to the fact that such a person cannot submit to Him?
3) In verses 9-11, Paul speaks of being controlled by the Holy Spirit. He begins by saying that a person is controlled by the Spirit and not the sinful nature if the Spirit lives within us. Further, any person not having the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him--is not a Christian. Wesley puts it as the person is not in a state of salvation. Calvin notes that gratutious salvation cannot be seperated from regeneration. Paul goes on to say that if we have Christ, our body is dead due to sin, but our spirit is alive because of righteousness and in the end God will provide us with eternal life.
--What does it mean to be controlled by the Spirit? What is our interraction with the Spirit? What should be the results?
4) In v. 12, Paul says we have an obligation not to live according to the sinful nature, and reiterates (v. 13) that to live according to the sin nature brings death, while to live according to the Spirit and put to death the misdeeds of the body means life and being a son of God (v. 14).
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