Author : Elmer Moore (deceased)
reprinted by permission from Truth Magazine.
In Romans 8:14, Paul introduces the passage with the word “for…”. I believe that this word suggests a continuation of previous thoughts, and suggests a reason for what he had just affirmed. He has affirmed that the one who puts to death the deeds of the body would live; i.e. be in a saved condition serving God. He lives because he is being led by the Spirit of God and is thus a son of God (verse 14).
What does it mean to be “led by the Spirit of God”? It certainly does not suggest that one is being dragged by the Spirit whether he wants to follow or not. In the immediate context Paul has identified the man who is “walking after the Spirit” (verse 4). He is minding the things of the Spirit (verse 5), being subject to the law of God (verse 7), and the Spirit of God dwells in him (verse 9) *(see previous articles). It seems obvious that these phrases are describing the one who is being led by the Spirit. The Spirit’s law (verse 2), gives direction and this man is following those directions and is thus being “led by the Spirit of God.” Surely no one thinks that one could be insubordinate to the Law of God and be led by the Spirit at the same time. Thus, to be led by the Spirit is to be living a life in conformity with the word of God, the Spirit’s Law.
There is no difference between the man who is “walking after the Spirit,” “minding the
things of the Spirit,” is subordinate to the Law of God, and in whom the “Spirit of God dwells” and the man who is being “led by the Spirit of God.” These expressions describe the same man and the same conduct. The context demands this.
This passage declares, “as many as.” This expression suggests the idea of “no more or no
less.” Thus, the writer declares that no more or no less than those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Thus, only those who walk after the Spirit by minding the things of the Spirit and are being subordinate to the Law of God are said to be “sons of God.”
In verse 15, Paul declares, “For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” There are those who read the New Testament who assume that every time they see the word “spirit” that this is talking about the Holy Spirit. They then decide that it is either talking about Holy Spirit Baptism, or about the actual indwelling of the Spirit in one’s physical body. This is an unwarranted conclusion. Sometimes the word “Spirit” is named for His Law (see Romans 8:2 and Hebrews 3:7 for instance). There are many other passages, too numerous to mention in this article, that show more that one usage of the word “spirit.” Sometimes the word “Spirit” is named to indicate an attitude or disposition of mind just as we used the word (cf. Romans 11:8). The use of the upper or lower case is not the criteria to use. We must look at how the word is used in any given instance.
How is the word used in verse 15 when the writer declares, “ye received not the spirit of
bondage” and he also uses the statement, “spirit of adoption”? Paul writes, “ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear.” The word again suggests a previous state or condition. Under the law they were in the state of a slavery or servitude. This state produced fear or alarm, and he declares that they now have a spirit of adoption. Adoption indicates taking one who does not belong to ones own house and treating him as his own son. They serve God because they are His children (verse 14), and address Him as their Father.
The expression “Abba” Simply means Father. Repetition (Abba, Father) is used for emphasis. The same thought is expressed in Galations 4:6-7 where the writer declares, “And because ye are sons God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying Abba, Father. So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son….” They should have a disposition or attitude of sonship and serve God as His children and not as mere slaves.
Paul writes that they should not have a disposition or attitude of bondage or slavery that
causes one to serve out of fear; but rather have a disposition or attitude of those who have been adopted as God’s children and serve with faithful love and affection.
Thus, Paul declares that we must be led by the Spirit of God to be sons of God. When we are led by the Spirit of God, we are serving God as a child should serve his father and not as a slave serving a master.
