Romans | Chapter 8 | Two Natures Contrasted

Romans 8:5-8 continues Paul's exposition of the believer's position in Christ, directly following the declaration of "no condemnation" in verse 1 and the explanation of God's solution through His Son in verses 2-4. This passage serves as both an explanation of verse 4's description of those who "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" and a bridge to verse 9's definitive statement about the believer's true position. The apostle maintains the contextual flow from Romans 7, where the Christian's battle between the old man and new man was presented, while simultaneously contrasting the fundamental difference between the regenerate and unregenerate. This dual application serves to instruct believers about the unacceptability of living after the flesh while demonstrating the complete inability of the unregenerate to please God.