Romans 8:5 Study Bible: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

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Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Study Bible

Those who live according to the flesh

This phrase refers to individuals who are guided by their sinful nature, often described as the “flesh” in biblical terms. The “flesh” represents human nature in its fallen state, prone to sin and rebellion against God. In the context of Romans, Paul contrasts the life led by the flesh with the life led by the Spirit. This dichotomy is central to understanding the Christian life as a battle between the old self and the new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The “flesh” is not merely physical but encompasses all aspects of human life that are opposed to God’s will.

Eph 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time,…
Gal 6:8 The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh…

set their minds on the things of the flesh;

To “set their minds” indicates a deliberate focus or preoccupation. This phrase suggests that those living according to the flesh are consumed by worldly desires and pursuits, such as materialism, power, and sensual pleasures. This mindset is in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ, who calls for a life of self-denial and spiritual focus (Matthew 16:24-26). The “things of the flesh” can also be linked to the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21, which include immorality, idolatry, and envy, among others.

Php 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly,…
Jas 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly…

but those who live according to the Spirit

In contrast, this phrase describes individuals who are guided by the Holy Spirit. Living according to the Spirit involves a transformation that begins with accepting Christ and is characterized by a life that seeks to align with God’s will. This transformation is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:26-27, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit to His people. The Spirit empowers believers to overcome the desires of the flesh and to produce the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.

Gal 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step…
Jhn 3:6 Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.

set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

This phrase emphasizes a conscious decision to focus on spiritual matters, such as prayer, worship, and the study of God’s Word. It involves a continual renewal of the mind, as Paul later elaborates in Romans 12:2, urging believers not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. The “things of the Spirit” include love, joy, peace, patience, and other virtues that reflect the character of Christ. This mindset is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, enabling believers to discern God’s will and to live in a manner that pleases Him.

Col 3:1-2 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ,…
1Co 2:12-16 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological writings.

2. The Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, the early Christian community in Rome, which was composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers.

3. The Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, who empowers believers to live according to God's will and not according to the flesh.

4. The Flesh
A term used by Paul to describe the sinful nature and human inclinations that are opposed to God's Spirit.

5. The Spirit
Refers to the Holy Spirit, who guides and transforms believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Teaching Points

Understanding the Flesh and the Spirit
Recognize the distinction between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. The flesh represents our sinful nature, while the Spirit represents God's transformative power in our lives.

Mindset Matters
Our mindset determines our actions. Setting our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace, while focusing on the flesh leads to death and hostility towards God.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh. We must rely on the Spirit's guidance to live a life pleasing to God.

Practical Steps to Live by the Spirit
Engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers to cultivate a mindset focused on the Spirit.

Transformation through Renewal
Allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind daily, transforming your thoughts and actions to align with God's will.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does it mean to "set your mind on the things of the flesh" versus "the things of the Spirit"? How can you identify which mindset you are currently living by?

2. How does Galatians 5:16-25 expand on the concept of living by the Spirit versus the flesh? What practical steps can you take to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

3. In what ways can setting your mind on the Spirit lead to life and peace, as opposed to setting your mind on the flesh?

4. How can Philippians 4:8 help you in setting your mind on the things of the Spirit? What specific thoughts or practices can you incorporate into your daily life?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the Holy Spirit's guidance in overcoming a fleshly desire. How can this experience encourage you to rely more on the Spirit in the future?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Galatians 5:16-25
This passage contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the transformative power of living by the Spirit.

Colossians 3:1-2
Encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things, aligning with the call to focus on the Spirit.

Philippians 4:8
Advises believers to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, which aligns with setting the mind on the Spirit.

Sermons

What the Law Could not Do	T.F. Lockyer	Romans 8:1-5
Paradise Regained	R.M. Edgar	Romans 8:1-11
The Judgment-Day, and How to Prepare for it	C.H. Irwin	Romans 8:1-11
Carnal and Spiritual Mindedness	James Gage, B. D.	Romans 8:5-6
Description of Regenerate and Unregenerate	Thomas Horton, D. D.	Romans 8:5-6
Minding the Things of the Flesh	T. Chalmers, D. D.	Romans 8:5-6
Nature and Spirit	W. Gladden.	Romans 8:5-6
Spiritual Affinity		Romans 8:5-6
The Carnal and Spiritual Mind	T. G. Horton.	Romans 8:5-6
The Carnal and Spiritual Mind	P. Strutt.	Romans 8:5-6
The Carnal and the Spiritual	R. P. Buddicom, M. A.	Romans 8:5-6
The Contrast Between the Carnally Minded and the Spiritually Minded	J. Lyth, D. D.	Romans 8:5-6
The Contrast Between the Unconverted and the Regenerate	J. Lyth, D. D.	Romans 8:5-6
The Contrasted Characters	W. Tyson.	Romans 8:5-6
The Opposition Between the Things of the Flesh and the Things of the Spirit	Archdeacon Gifford.	Romans 8:5-6
The Things of the Flesh and the Things of the Spirit	D. Thomas, D. D.	Romans 8:5-6

People

Paul, Romans

Places

Rome

Topics

Accordance, Controlled, Desires, Earthly, Flesh, Mind, Minds, Nature, Natures, Spirit, Spiritual

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Romans 8:5

     1175   God, will of
     8330   receptiveness
     8463   priority, of faith, hope and love
     8821   self-indulgence
     8827   selfishness

Romans 8:1-9

5110 Paul, teaching of
6028 sin, deliverance from

Romans 8:1-11

5381 law, letter and spirit

Romans 8:1-17

6661 freedom, and law

Romans 8:3-5

8244 ethics, and grace

Romans 8:3-9

6166 flesh, sinful nature

Romans 8:4-5

3278 Holy Spirit, indwelling

Romans 8:4-6

3251 Holy Spirit, filling with
4018 life, spiritual

Romans 8:4-9

3233 Holy Spirit, and sanctification

Romans 8:5-6

5894 intelligence
8255 fruit, spiritual

Romans 8:5-7

6745 sanctification, nature and basis

Romans 8:5-8

     5038   mind, the human
     6022   sin, causes of
     6030   sin, avoidance
     6156   fall, of humanity
     9024   death, spiritual

Romans 8:5-9

     3248   Holy Spirit, conviction
     8164   spirituality
     8206   Christlikeness

Romans 8:5-11

3035 Holy Spirit, presence of

Romans 8:5-14

     3254   Holy Spirit, fruit of
     5832   desire
     6746   sanctification, means and results

Romans 8:5-17

5345 influence

Library

December 18:
December 18th. The misgiving which will creep sometimes over the brightest faith has already received its expression and its rebuke: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Shall these "changes in the physical state of the environment" which threaten death to the natural man, destroy the spiritual? Shall death, or life, or angels, or principalities, or powers, arrest or tamper with his eternal correspondences? …
Henry Drummond—Beautiful Thoughts
October 10. "If Ye, through the Spirit, do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live" (Rom. viii. 13).
"If ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. viii. 13). The Holy Spirit is the only one who can kill us and keep us dead. Many Christians try to do this disagreeable work themselves, and they are going through a continual crucifixion, but they can never accomplish the work permanently. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and when you really yield yourself to the death, it is delightful to find how sweetly He can slay you. By the touch of the electric spark they …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
August 6. "As Many as are Led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14).
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14). The blessed Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Leader, and our Resting-place. There are times when He presses us forward into prayer, into service, into suffering, into new experiences, new duties, new claims of faith, and hope, and love, but there are times when He arrests us in our activity, and rests us under His overshadowing wing, and quiets us in the secret place of the Most High, teaching us some new lessons, breathing …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality, and counteracts, overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death. Let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison. Look at my hand. By the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there, attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
November 8. "For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). There is a natural law of sin and sickness, and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in Christ Jesus to which we can rise and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down. But to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
September 27. "The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God" (Rom. viii. 21).
"The glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. viii. 21). Are you above self and self-pleasing in every way? Have you got above circumstances so that you are not influenced by them? Are you above sickness and the evil forces around that would drag down your physical life into the quicksands? These forces are all around, and if yielded to would quickly swamp us. God does not destroy sickness, or its power to hurt, but He lifts us above it. Are you above your feelings, moods, emotions and states? …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
October 11. "And He that Searcheth the Hearts Knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, Because He Maketh Intercession for the Saints According to the Will of God" (Rom. viii. 27).
"And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. viii. 27). The Holy Spirit becomes to the consecrated heart the Spirit of intercession. We have two Advocates. We have an Advocate with the Father, who prays for us at God's right hand; but the Holy Spirit is the Advocate within, who prays in us, inspiring our petitions and presenting them, through Christ, to God. We need this Advocate. We know …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
October 21. "Who Shall Separate us from the Love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35).
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35). And then comes the triumphant answer, after all the possible obstacles and enemies have been mentioned one by one, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us." Our trials will be turned to helps; our enemies will be taken prisoners and made to fight our battles. Like the weights on yonder clock, which keep it going, our very difficulties will prove incentives to faith and prayer, and occasions …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
June 1. "That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us" (Rom. viii. 4).
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. viii. 4). Beloved friends, do you know the mistake some of you are making? Some of you say: "It is not possible for me to be good; no man ever was perfect, and it is no use for me to try." That is the mistake many of you are making. I agree with the first sentence, "No man ever was perfect"; but I don't agree with the second, "There is no use trying." There is a divine righteousness that we may have. I don't mean merely that which …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
October 13. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7).
"The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7). The flesh is incurably bad. "It is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can be." It never can be any better. It is no use trying to improve the flesh. You may educate it all you please. You may train it by the most approved methods, you may set before it the brightest examples, you may pipe to it or mourn to it, treat it with encouragement or severity; its nature will always be incorrigibly the same. Like the wild hawk which the little …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
August 4. "Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ He is None of His" (Rom. viii. 9).
"Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" (Rom. viii. 9). A spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. So the apostle said: "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." The glory of the new creation, then, is not only that it recreates the human spirit, but that it fits …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III
Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III
Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children.
Text: Romans 8, 12-17. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III
Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2
Accusers Challenged
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. T hough the collating of manuscripts and various readings has undoubtedly been of use in rectifying some mistakes which, through the inadvertency of transcribers, had crept into different copies of the New Testament, yet such supposed corrections of the text ought to be admitted with caution, and not unless supported by strong reasons and authorities. The whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God: and they who thankfully …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2
The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2
Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2
August the Twenty-Fifth Impotent Enemies
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" --ROMANS viii. 31-39. Who can get between the love of Christ and me? What sharp dividing minister can cleave the two in twain, and leave me like a dismembered and dying branch? Terrible experiences cannot do it. "Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword!" All these may come about my house, but they cannot reach the inner sanctuary where my Lord and I are closeted in loving communion and peace. They may bruise my skin, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
May the Twenty-Eighth the Sons of God
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." --ROMANS viii. 9-17. And how unspeakably wealthy are the implications of the great word! If a son, then what holy freedom is mine! Mine is not "the spirit of bondage." The son has "the run of the house." That is the great contrast between lodgings and home. And I am to be at home with the Lord. And if a son, then heir! "All things are yours." Samuel Rutherford used to counsel his friends to "take a turn" round their estate. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
Sons and Heirs
'If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.'--ROMANS viii. 17. God Himself is His greatest gift. The loftiest blessing which we can receive is that we should be heirs, possessors of God. There is a sublime and wonderful mutual possession of which Scripture speaks much wherein the Lord is the inheritance of Israel, and Israel is the inheritance of the Lord. 'The Lord hath taken you to be to Him a people of inheritance,' says Moses; 'Ye are a people for a possession,' says …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)
Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
'...Joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.'--ROMANS viii. 17. In the former part of this verse the Apostle tells us that in order to be heirs of God, we must become sons through and joint-heirs with Christ. He seems at first sight to add in these words of our text another condition to those already specified, namely, that of suffering with Christ. Now, of course, whatever may be the operation of suffering in fitting for the possession of …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)
The Witness of the Spirit
'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'--ROMANS viii. 18. The sin of the world is a false confidence, a careless, complacent taking for granted that a man is a Christian when he is not. The fault, and sorrow, and weakness of the Church is a false diffidence, an anxious fear whether a man be a Christian when he is. There are none so far away from false confidence as those who tremble lest they be cherishing it. There are none so inextricably caught in …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)
The Revelation of Sons
'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.'--ROMANS viii. 19. The Apostle has been describing believers as 'sons' and 'heirs.' He drops from these transcendent heights to contrast their present apparent condition with their true character and their future glory. The sad realities of suffering darken his lofty hopes, even although these sad realities are to his faith tokens of joint-heirship with Jesus, and pledges that if our inheritance is here …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)
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