all that Paul has yet said. There is, therefore, now, i. e. under these circumstances, viz. the circumstances set forth in the previous part of the epistle.
To he in Christ Jesus signifies to be intimately united to him, in the way in which the Scriptures teach us this union is effected, viz. by having his Spirit dwelling in us, v. 9. The phrase is never expressive of a merely external or nominal union. " If any man be in Christ he is a new creature," 2 Cor. 5 : 17. See John 15:4, &c. 1 John 2 : 5. 3 : 6. To be in Christ, and to have fellowship with him, are, with the apostle John, convertible expressions; see also Rom. 16 : 7, 11.
Who walk not after the Jiesh, but after the Spirit. These words may be understood, 1. as descriptive of the character of those who are in Christ; 2. as assigning the reason why there is no condemnation to them, viz. because they walk not, &c. ; or, 3. as describing the condi- tion on which the blessing depends, ' There is no condemnation to them, provided they walk not,' &c. The first and last of these views may be united, and express the real meaning of the apostle.
To walk after is, in Scripture language, to regulate the life and con- duct according to, to follow as a guide or leader, Acts 21: 21. Eph. 2 : 2, &c. &c. The flesh is our corrupt nature. Spirit is either the Holy Spirit, or as opposed to flesh, our hearts considered as renewed. The former is much to be preferred, for this is the sense of the word through the whole passage. The meaning of this clause then is, ' Those who are in Christ do not regulate their conduct according to the dictates of their own corrupt hearts, but follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.' If the Spirit dwells in us, he regulates our opinions, feelings, and exter- nal conduct. The apostle does not mean to say, in opposition to the pre- ceding chapter and to all experience, that believers never yield to the suggestions of the flesh ; but he simply expresses what is the constant aim and general character of the Christian's life.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, &c. This verse assigns the reason why there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, as is evident from the use of /or, with which the verse com- mences.
The expression law of the Spirit is here opposed to the phrase the law of sin and death. The meaning of the one, therefore, must deter- mine that of the other. By the law of the Spirit may be understood the power or influence of the renewed principle in the heart, and then the law of sin and death must mean indwelling sin, or the law in the mem- bers. Or the Spirit is here the Holy Spirit, called the Spirit of life, because the author of life ; and the word law signifies rule. The whole phrase would then be descriptive of the gospel, which is the law of which the life-giving Spirit is the author. The expression the law of sin and death then means the law of God, which is so called because it is incidentally the cause both of sin and death, as taught in the preceding chapter. The sense of the whole verse as connected with v. 1, there-