Romans 8 1

Romans 8:1 kjv

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 nkjv

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 niv

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Romans 8:1 esv

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 nlt

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 8 verses

Romans 8 1 Meaning

Romans 8:1 declares a definitive and present reality for believers: the complete absence of judicial condemnation for all who are united with Christ Jesus. This statement signals a dramatic transition from the struggle with indwelling sin described in chapter 7 to the victorious life by the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that salvation is not merely the forgiveness of past sins, but a complete change of legal status before God, made possible by divine grace through faith in Jesus.

Romans 8 1 Context

Romans 8:1 follows directly from the intense struggle with indwelling sin described in Romans 7. Chapter 7 graphically illustrates the futility of trying to achieve righteousness or overcome sin through adherence to the Law, culminating in the cry, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Rom 7:24). The Law, though good and holy, exposed sin and amplified it, but lacked the power to deliver from its grip. Romans 8:1 serves as a glorious answer and pivotal turning point, ushering in the victorious life available through the indwelling Holy Spirit, establishing the believer's new identity and standing. Historically, the Roman church comprised both Jewish and Gentile believers, often grappling with differing interpretations of the Law and the true nature of justification. This verse definitively addresses the core theological problem: humanity's condemned status due to sin and the divine solution in Christ, thereby nullifying the need for any "works of the law" for justification.

Romans 8 1 Word analysis

• Therefore (Ἄρα οὖν, Ara oun): This Greek phrase is a strong conjunction indicating a logical conclusion or inference based on preceding arguments. Here, it signifies that what follows is the profound answer to the lament and struggle described in Romans 7, and indeed the entire discussion on justification by faith in chapters 3-7. It points back to Christ's delivering power (Rom 7:25).
• there is now (νῦν, nun): This adverb emphasizes the present, current reality. It is not merely a future hope but an immediate, existing truth for believers. The transition from condemnation to justification has already occurred; the legal standing before God has changed now.
• no (οὐδέν, ouden): A strong, emphatic negative in Greek, signifying an absolute lack or complete absence. It stresses that there is zero, absolutely no, trace of the following condition.
• condemnation (κατάκριμα, katakrima): This significant Greek word means a judicial sentence or verdict of guilt, especially one leading to punishment. It refers to the adverse judgment passed on someone who is guilty, and the subsequent punishment. It differs from krisis (a process of judgment) or katakrisis (the act of condemning). Here, it specifically denotes the outcome—the established legal state of being condemned. It stands in direct contrast to dikaiōma (righteous decree, Rom 5:16). This term clearly addresses the legal aspect of one's standing before God.
• for those who are (τοῖς ἐν, tois en): This dative plural definite article combined with the preposition "in" specifies the recipients. It is a precise descriptor of identity. It excludes those who are not "in Christ Jesus."
• in Christ Jesus (Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, Christō Iēsoū): This is a pivotal New Testament phrase. It doesn't merely mean "those who believe in Christ" or "those who are followers of Christ." Rather, "in Christ" (en Christō) denotes a deep, mystical, spiritual union, identification, and sphere of existence. It implies that a believer's very identity, standing, and life are intricately intertwined with Christ Himself. They share in His death, resurrection, and life. This phrase is foundational to Pauline theology, highlighting a new realm of being, where the believer is legally, spiritually, and positionally one with Jesus. All of Christ's righteousness, victory over sin, and fulfillment of the Law are now applied to those who are "in Him." This phrase often contrasts with being "in Adam," who brought condemnation (Rom 5:12).

Romans 8 1 Bonus section

The emphasis on "no condemnation" also has direct polemical implications against contemporary Jewish legalism and any system that seeks to establish righteousness through human effort or ritual adherence. Paul’s declaration asserts that Christ's finished work is superior and completely sufficient for removing condemnation, thus making reliance on the Law or self-righteousness futile for salvation. It also implicitly refutes the idea that believers, despite their faith, still carry a degree of judicial guilt or unfinished business that requires ongoing appeasement or meritorious acts. The freedom declared is complete and definitive, positioning believers not as constantly under threat of divine disapproval, but as accepted, beloved children of God (Rom 8:14-17). The rest of Romans 8 unpacks how this freedom is lived out practically through the power of the Spirit, ensuring sanctification rather than license to sin.

Romans 8 1 Commentary

Romans 8:1 is a climactic declaration that establishes the theological cornerstone of a believer's justified status. It doesn't suggest an absence of future judgment or even the removal of all personal consequences of sin in life. Instead, it asserts that the ultimate divine judicial sentence of condemnation, inherited through Adam and exposed by the Law, has been utterly and decisively nullified for those identified with Christ. The pronouncement of "no condemnation" flows from Christ's atoning work on the cross and His resurrection, which provides both the removal of sin's penalty and the imputation of His perfect righteousness. This is not earned by human effort or adherence to the Law (as Rom 7 starkly demonstrates its futility) but received by grace through faith.

The phrase "in Christ Jesus" is the crucial qualification. It points to a profound spiritual reality: believers are literally united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4). This union means that His perfect life, sacrificial death for sin, and triumphant resurrection are legally and spiritually credited to them. When God looks at those "in Christ," He no longer sees their sinful nature as deserving of condemnation, but Christ's righteousness covering them. This foundational truth brings immense comfort, peace, and security, enabling believers to live a life no longer dominated by fear of judgment but empowered by the Holy Spirit (as developed throughout the rest of Romans 8). It frees them from striving for self-justification and empowers them to pursue genuine holiness out of gratitude and love.

• Example: A criminal on death row (condemned) is fully pardoned by a higher authority, having their sentence completely annulled. This legal change affects their status, though the memory of their past remains.
• Example: An adopted child is given a new name, new legal rights, and a new family identity, completely nullifying their former disadvantaged status.