Mike Ratcliff’s points are solid in the discussion of this text.
But he does make an interesting observation and speculates about verse 1:
In the King James Version, the New King James Version of this passage, v1 continues with, “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” This phrase is not found in v1 in the earliest manuscripts, but it is found at the end of v4, which makes this a textual variant indicating that this is perhaps a case of an inadvertent copyist insertion
My own observation is that the phrase is in both the Geneva Bible 1560 and the Tyndale NT. Here is an article I wrote with more detail.
Romans 8:1-4 Geneva Bible 1560
Chapter 8 Introduction
1 The assurance of the faithful and of the fruits of the holie Ghost
in them.
Now then there is no acondem nation to them that are in
Christ Jesus, which walk not bafter the flesh, but after
the Spirit.
2 For the cLaw of the Spirit of life which is in dChrist Jesus,
hath freed me from the law of sin and of death.
3 For (that that was impossible to the Law, in as much as
it was ^weak, because of the flesh) God sending his own
4 That the frighteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us,
which walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Chapter 8 Notes
1 a Though sin is in us, yet it is not imputed unto us through Christ Jesus.
1 b He annexes the condition lest we should abuse the liberty.
2 c The power & authority of the Spirit, that is, the grace of regeneration.
2 d Whose sanctification is made ours.
3 ^Or, of no strength
3 e Christ did take flesh, which of nature was subject to sin, which not-
withstanding he sanctified even in the very instant of his conception, and
so did appropriate it unto him, that he might destroy sin in it, 2 Cor. 5.21.
3 ^Or, by sin
4 f That which the Law requireth.
Tyndale NT Text…
There is then no damnation to them which are in Christ Jesu, which walk not after the flesh: but after the spirit.
For the law of the spirit, wherein is{that bringeth} life thorow Jesus Christ hath delivered me|made me free| from the law of sin, and death.
For what the law could not do inasmuch as it was weak because of the flesh: that performed God, and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh, and by sin damned sin in the flesh:
that the righteousness required of the law, might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh: but after the spirit.
If Mike can speculate, then I can also….perhaps, Paul intended to really emphasis this point. Flesh and Spirit…. Below is a list of the verses just in this section, Chapter 8 using those words. And note immediately after the Word Spirit at the end of v1, v2 opens:
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
So, it makes sense for V1 to end that way. In all versions of the Bible, it does appear in V4 also. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t originally in V1. Although the minority Alexandrian versions of the Bible don’t have it, the majority of Greek Texts, that what became the Textus Receptus do have the phrase.
I don’t want to make this post a full critique of the Critical Text of the Bible, the Alexandrian versions that changed the way of looking at our Bible, that began back in the mid to late 1800, developing up through the Westcott & Hort and current Nestle-Arnold NA Greek texts and now used in all modern Bibles. It is though an interesting study. The book I’m reading now, It is Written by the Bible League, is an excellent presentation in a non-confrontive manner. I suggest reading it.
Although the Big change to the Alexandrian text (and note that that area was influenced by early Gnostic teachings), the fact of a different Alexandrian text existed is commented upon by John Gill over a hundred years before the Sinaiticus version was found then monks trash bins.
“The Romans 8 chapter, along with the rest of the New Testament within the Codex Sinaiticus, was found at Saint Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt.
The discovery occurred in two main stages led by German biblical scholar Constantin von Tischendorf:
- 1844: Tischendorf visited the monastery and discovered 43 leaves (pages) of the manuscript in a trash basket, which he took with him.
- 1859: Returning under the patronage of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Tischendorf was shown the rest of the manuscript (including the Romans chapter) by the monastery steward.”
If you read or study the history of this, it’s quite controversial even today, and there is a Roman Catholic connection with Tischendorf. Also, of interest this is around the time the Charles Darwin’s Evolution Theory became another point of conflict with the Bible..
“Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species on November 24, 1859. The seminal scientific work, which introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection, was published in London and sold out its entire first edition on the very first day.”
John Gill wrote his 3-volume An Exposition of the New Testament between 1746 and 1748.
who walk not after the flesh; by which is meant, not the ceremonial law, but the corruption of nature, or the corrupt nature of man, called “flesh”; because propagated by carnal generation, has for its object fleshly things, discovers itself mostly in the flesh, and makes persons carnal and fleshly; the apostle does not say, there is no condemnation to them that have no flesh in them, for this regenerate persons have; nor to them that are in the flesh, that is, the body; but who walk not after the flesh, that is, corrupt nature; and it denotes such, who do not follow the dictates of it, do not make it their guide, or go on and persist in a continued series of sinning:
but after the spirit, by which is meant, not spiritual worship, in opposition to carnal ordinances; but rather, either a principle of grace, in opposition to corrupt nature, called “Spirit”, from the author, subject, and nature of it; or the Holy Spirit of God, the efficient cause of all grace: to walk after him, is to make him our guide, to follow his dictates, influences, and directions; as such do, who walk by faith on Christ, and in imitation of him, in the ways of righteousness and holiness; and such persons walk pleasantly, cheerfully, and safely: now let it be observed, that this walk and conversation of the saints, is not the cause of there being no condemnation to them; but is descriptive of the persons interested in such a privilege; and is evidential of their right unto it, as well as of their being in Christ: and it may be further observed, that there must be union to Christ, or a being in him, before there can be walking after the Spirit. The phrase, “but after the Spirit”, is left out in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Vulgate Latin, and Syriac versions; and the whole description of the persons in some copies, and in the Ethiopic version.
If one is into speculation, one might consider why would the Alexandrian versions delete it?
Maybe just because it’s the lead of this section, so it changes the emphasis ever so slightly. It certainly, can still be seen later…in a form, but when you read it in v4 it’s connected to the righteousness of the law, which some segments of faith attribute to our necessity of doing works to earn such righteousness. In verse one it’s connected to Christ Jesus, who provides our Justification, and imputed his Righteousness to us. Maybe that point of lost doctrine or skewed doctrine is important?
“Imputed righteousness is the Christian doctrine that God credits the perfect obedience and holiness of Jesus Christ to believers, covering their sins and granting them a righteous standing before Him. It is a transfer of status—not an internal change—whereby a person is treated as righteous based on faith, not on their own merits.” AI
In my mind it’s through Jesus Christ we have no condemnation, both say that, but looking at it with the traditional ending enhances our understanding of the completeness of that. I think it goes along with Jesus telling Nicodemus:
Jhn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jhn 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Jhn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Also, in the context of Peter answering questions at Pentecost. It’s a tricky subject but when we truly hear God’s effectual call our response will be to repent (i.e. turn from our flesh and sin) and step out in faith (be baptized, perhaps even bringing our Children to), God give the Spirit to replace our Fleshly Heart. Baptism doesn’t save us, neither our own works Righteousness, but the Spirit will guide us in how to walk (through the opening of God’s Word the Bible).
WCF C1:6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word: and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But 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 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 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.
Rainbow Trout 