For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die - in the sense of Romans 6:21;
But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body (see the note at Romans 7:23 ), ye shall live - in the sense of Romans 6:22. [The two futures here are not the same: "Ye shall die" is mellete (G3195) apothneeskein (G599) - "Ye shall live," zeesesthe (G2198). Melloo (G3195), as distinguished from the simple future, denotes an action already begun, or at least in preparation, rather than wholly future: see the note at Matthew 2:13, p. 7. If that shade of meaning was intended, it would express the sad truth that a life of carnality is not only the sure prelude to endless death, but fuel for the final flame. But the converse is equally true of a life of spirituality, to express which, however, only a simple future is employed. And as the usage of melloo (G3195) is so various, perhaps nothing more was meant by the use of it in the first clause than to vary the futures.] As to the sentiment itself, the apostle is not satisfied with assuring them that they are under no obligations to the flesh, to hearken to its suggestions, without reminding them where it will end if they do; and he uses the word "mortify" (put to death) as a kind of play upon the word "die" just before-q.d., 'If ye do not kill sin, it will kill you.' But he tempers this by the bright alternative, that if they do, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, such a course will infallibly terminate in "life" everlasting. This leads the apostle into a new line of thought, opening into his final subject-the "glory" awaiting the justified believer.
Remarks:
(1) 'There can (says Hodge, with as much neatness as truth) be no safety, no holiness, no happiness, to those who are out of Christ-no safety, because all such are under the condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1); no holiness, because such only as are united to Christ have the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9); no happiness, because to be "carnally minded is death" (Romans 8:6).'
(2) The sanctification of believers, as it has its whole foundation in the atoning death, so it has its living spring in the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:2-4).
(3) No human refinement of the carnal mind will make it spiritual, or compensate for the absence of spirituality. "Flesh" and "spirit" are essentially and unchangeably opposed (not substantially, however-as some dream-but morally); nor can the carnal mind, as such, be brought into real subjection to the law of God. some dream-but morally); nor can the carnal mind, as such, be brought into real subjection to the law of God. Hence,
(4) The estrangement between God and the sinner is mutual. For as the, sinner's state of mind is "enmity against God," (Romans 8:7), so in this state he "cannot please God" (Romans 8:8).
(5) While the consciousness of spiritual life in our renewed souls is a glorious assurance of resurrection-life in the body also-in virtue of the same quickening Spirit whose inhabitation we already enjoy (Romans 8:11) - yet whatever professions of spiritual life men may make, it remains eternally true that "if we live after the flesh we shall die," and only "if we through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live" (compare with Romans 8:13; Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 5:6; Philippians 3:18-19; 1 John 3:7-8).
The Sonship of Believers (Romans 8:14-16)