November 17

Read: Romans 8:9-13

If then the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in you, then the Resurrector of Christ Jesus from the dead will through the Spirit that dwells in you make also your mortal bodies live (Romans 8:11, Berkeley Version).

If The Spirit Of God Dwell In You

What is Paul talking about in our text for today? Is he saying that the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead will give us resurrected bodies? Or is he saying that if the Spirit of God lives in us, He will give us a gloriously complete spiritual life even while we live here on earth?

Standing alone, the obvious meaning of this verse seems to be a promise of immortality. But does not the context show it to be a promise of a life of holiness here and now,? A footnote in The Berkeley Version interprets the meaning of this passage as “a glorified body later, but now as a Spirit-controlled body, a sacred temple.”

Paul’s theme throughout the paragraph is the transformed life in this world. In verse 9 he says, “But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God really dwells in you.” In verse 10 he speaks of God’s work in our spirits: “But if Christ is in you,… your spirits are alive because of righteousness.” In verse 11 he describes God’s work in the body: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he… will give life to your mortal: bodies also through his Spirit which dwells, in you” (F.S.V.).

It is the Holy Spirit who imparts sanctity to both the spirit and the body in this world: Having given to us eternal life here, we confidently trust Him for the preservation of both spirit and body in the world to come.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

— Thomas Ken