Quotes & Notes on:
Romans 8:14
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John Wesley's Notes:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God-In all the ways of
righteousness.
They are the sons of God-Here St. Paul enters upon the description of
those blessings which he comprises, Ro 8:30, in the word glorified;
though, indeed, he does not describe mere glory, but that which is still
mingled with the cross. The sum is, through sufferings to glory.
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
* led. Ro 8:5,9; Ps 143:10; Pr 8:20; Isa 48:16,17; Ga 4:6; 5:16,18,22-25
Eph 5:9
* they are. Ro 8:17; 2Co 6:18; Ga 3:26; Eph 1:5; 1Jo 3:1; Re 21:7
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Adam Clarke's Commentary:
For as many as are led by the Spirit, &c.] No man who has not Divine
assistance can either find the way to heaven, or walk in it when found.
As Christ, by his sacrificial offering, has opened the kingdom of God to
all believers; and, as a mediator, transacts the concerns of their
kingdom before the throne; so the Spirit of God is the great agent here
below, to enlighten, quicken, strengthen, and guide the true disciples
of Christ; and all that are born of this Spirit are led and guided by
it; and none can pretend to be the children of God who are not thus
guided.
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Family Bible Notes:
Are led by the Spirit; follow his guidance. This includes the
idea of minding the things of the Spirit, and through his help,
mortifying the deeds of the body. The sons of God; sonship here includes
two things: first, likeness to God in character; secondly, heirship to
the inheritance provided by God for his children.
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1599 Geneva Bible Notes:
A confirmation of this reason: for they are the children of God who
are governed by his Spirit, therefore they will have everlasting life.
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People's New Testament Commentary:
For as many as are led by the Spirit. Those who "through the Spirit
mortify the deeds of the body" [Ro 8:13] are led by the Spirit. They
obey it rather than the flesh. The presence of the Spirit in leading
them shows that they are sons of God. How are they led? (1) They have
given up their own wills to do God's will, and seek to obey him in all
things. (2) To them the Spirit is given as a helper of their weakness
(Ro 8:26), and by its aid they overcome the flesh.
Sons of God. We become sons of God when we are born again, born of water
and the Spirit (Joh 3:5), and we maintain the sonship by being led by
the Spirit.
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Robertson's Word Pictures:
Sons of God (huioi theou). In the full sense of this term.
In verse Ro 8:16 we have tekna theou (children of God). Hence no great
distinction can be drawn between huios and teknon. The truth is that
huios is used in various ways in the New Testament. In the highest
sense, not true of any one else, Jesus Christ is God's Son (Ro 8:3). But
in the widest sense all men are "the offspring" (genos) of God as shown
in Ac 17:28 by Paul. But in the special sense here only those are "sons
of God" who are led by the Spirit of God, those born again (the second
birth) both Jews and Gentiles, "the sons of Abraham" (huioi Abraam, Ga
3:7), the children of faith.
Albert Barnes' Commentary:
For as many. Whosoever; all who are thus led. This in- troduces a new
topic, illustrating the benefits of the gospel--to wit, that it produces
a spirit of adoption, Ro 8:14-17.
As are led. As submit to his influence and control. The Spirit is
represented as influencing, suggesting, and controlling. One evidence of
piety is, a willingness to yield to that influence, and submit to him.
One decided evidence of the want of piety is, where there is an
unwillingness to submit to that influence, but where the Holy Spirit is
grieved and resisted. All Christians submit to his influence; all
sinners decidedly reject it and oppose it. The influence of the Spirit,
if followed, would lead every man to heaven. But when neglected,
rejected, or despised, man goes down to hell. The glory belongs to the
conducting Spirit when man is saved; the fault is man's when he is lost.
The apostle here does not agitate the question how it is that the people
of God are led by the Spirit, or why they yield to it when others resist
it. His design is simply to state the fact, that they who are thus led
are the sons of God, or have evidence of piety.
Are the sons of God. Are adopted into his family, and are his children.
This is a name of endearment, meaning that they sustain to him this
relation; that they are his friends, disciples, and imitators; that they
are parts of the great family of the redeemed, of whom he is the Father
and Protector. It is often applied to Christians in the Bible, Job 1:6;
Joh 1:12; Php 2:15; 1Jo 3:1,2; Mt 5:9,45; Lu 6:35. This is a test of
piety which is easily applied.
(1.) Are we conscious that an influence from above has been drawing us
away from the corrupting passions and vanities of this world ? This is
the work of the Spirit.
(2.) Are we conscious of a desire to yield to that influence, and to be
conducted in the path of purity and life? This is an evidence that we
are the sons of God.
(3.) Do we offer no resistance; do we follow cheerfully, and obey this
pure influence, leading us to mortify pride, subdue passion, destroy
lust, humble ambition, and annihilate the love of wealth and of the
world? If so, we are his children. God will not lead us astray; and our
peace and happiness consist only in yielding ourselves to this influence
entirely, and in being willing to be conducted by this unseen hand
"beside the still waters of salvation."
{s} "led by the spirit" Ga 5:18
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Jamieson-Faussett Brown:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God, they, &c.--"these are sons of God." Hitherto the apostle has spoken
of the Spirit simply as a power through which believers mortify sin: now
he speaks of Him as a gracious, loving Guide, whose "leading"--enjoyed
by all in whom is the Spirit of God's dear Son--shows that they also are
"sons of God."
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Spurgeon Commentary:
(No comment on this verse).
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William Burkitt's Notes:
Observe here, 1. A glorious privilege proclaimed, the being the Sons of
God.
2. A description of the persons to whom that privilege doth belong, they
are such as are led by the spirit of God.
Learn, 1. That the Holy Spirit of God doth perform the office of a guide
and leader to all the children of God, he gives life and motion to them,
by infusing gracious habits, (Eze 36:26). by exiting the soul to act
suitably thereunto, and by assisting it in acting; he gives directions
and guidance to them, he directs their actions, by enlightening their
understandings, by guiding their inclinations, by influencing and
inclining their wills; and where he guides, he governs. A general that
leads an army, orders its motions and marches; as Christ was, so the
Holy Spirit is, a leader and commander to the people.
Learn, 2. That such as are thus led by the Spirit of God, may know and
conclude themselves to be the sons of God, because holiness is a certain
evidence of adoption. Such as are led by God's Spirit, are undoubtedly
God's children; and such as are not his children, refuse to be led by
his Spirit, but live under the uncontrolled activity of their own.
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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:
(No comment on this verse).
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The Fourfold Gospel:
(No comment on this verse).
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