Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. I. THE SUPPOSITION. "If Christ be in you" (2 Corinthians 13:5; Colossians 1:27). 1. Christ is in us — (1) Objectively. As the things we think of and love are in our hearts and minds, so Christ is in us, as He is apprehended and embraced by faith and love (Ephesians 3:17; 1 John 4:18). (2) Effectively. So Christ is in us by His Spirit and gracious influence. Now, the effects of His Spirit are — (a) Life (Galatians 2:20). (b) Likeness or renovation of our natures (Galatians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17). (c) Strength by the continued influence of His grace to overcome temptation (1 John 4:4; Philippians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Hebrews 13:21). 2. None are Christians but those who have Christ in them. (1) Because we must be partakers of Christ before we can be partakers of any benefit purchased by Him (1 John 5:12). (2) Where Christ once enters, there He takes up His abode, not to depart thence (1 John 3:24; John 14:28; John 15:5). (3) Where Christ is, He rules and reigns (Colossians 2:6). II. THE CONCESSION. "The body is dead because of sin." Because — 1. The sentence is passed (Genesis 2:17; Hebrews 9:27). As we say of a condemned man, he is a dead man. 2. Sin is the cause of death. (1) The meritorious cause. Death is not a natural accident, but a punishment; we die not as the beasts die, or as the plants decay (chap. Romans 5:12; 6:23). Sin procured it, and the law ratifies it. As regards the faithful, though their sins be forgiven, yet God would leave this mark of His displeasure and teach the world the sure connection between death and sin. (2) Its end and use. (a) To finish transgression and make an end of sin. (b) To free us from the natural infirmities which render us incapable of that happy life in heaven which is intended for us. (3) Had it not been for sin, we had never had cause to fear dissolution. III. THE ASSERTION OR CORRECTION, "The Spirit is life because of righteousness." In which observe — 1. That believers have a life, notwithstanding death (John 11:25). Though the union between body and soul be dissolved, yet not their union with God. 2. This life is to be understood of body and soul (ver. 11). (1) The soul, being the noblest part, is most happily provided for; being purified from all her imperfections, is brought into the sight and presence of God (Luke 20:38; Hebrews 12:23). (2) At the resurrection the soul shall assume its body again (Philippians 3:21; John 6:40). 3. The grounds are — (1) The Spirit is life. He doth not draw His argument from the immortality of the soul, for that is common to good and bad; but from the new life wrought in us by the Spirit, which is the beginning and earnest of a blessed immortality (1 John 3:15; 1 Peter 1:28). (2) The meritorious cause is the righteousness of Christ. When once forgiven, we are out of the reach of the second death (1 Corinthians 15:56; Hebrews 2:14, 15).Conclusion: To enforce the great things of Christianity. 1. To live holily. (1) The comforts of Christianity are not common to all indifferently, but suspended on this condition, "if Christ be in you," by His sanctifying Spirit (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 5:5). (2) From the concession, "the body is dead"; sentence is passed, and in part executed; this awakeneth us to think of another world, and to make serious preparation (Romans 6:12; Galatians 6:8). (3) The corrective assertion that there is the life promised for body and soul, breedeth the true spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13, 14), true diligence and godliness (1 Corinthians 15:58), and patience (Romans 2:7). (4) It is the effect both of the Spirit's renewing, and the righteousness of Christ. 2. To die comfortably. Christianity affordeth the proper comfort against death, as it is a natural and penal evil (Hebrews 9:27). Heathens could only teach them to submit to it out of necessity, or as a debt to nature, or an end of the present miseries; but for us the sting of it is gone (1 Corinthians 15:56) and the property is altered (1 Corinthians 3:22). (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. |
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