"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
(Rom. 8:14; ASV) The American Standard Version is very true to the "form"
of the Greek text in its rendering of this verse. It makes very little modification
and gives us a great translation of this passage. Today's New International
Version (TNIV) makes more adjustments in English as it deviates more
from the Greek text than the ASV, yet it clearly brings out the sense of the text.
It says, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
Both translations have the phrase "led by the Spirit of God." How does the
Spirit of God lead?
First, the Spirit of God does not mysteriously lead. It is not impossible or
difficult to explain , nor is it incapable of being understood. The word translated
"led" is ago and it is used figuratively in Rom. 8:14 of the influence of God's
Spirit, hence to lead or guide. This tells us what he does; the question is how
does he do it?
Second, the Spirit of God does not miraculously lead. The time during which
God miraculously worked through men on earth has ended. Complete revelation
has been given, so the miracles by which God was adding his testimony as to the
validity of the message declared by men have ceased. (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Heb. 2:3-4)
Third, the Spirit of God does not directly lead. If he did, it would be a miracle.
The Holy Spirit no more directly leads a person to remain a Christian than
he directly leads a person to become a Christian. Does the Spirit of God lead
a person to become a Christian? Yes. How? By the preaching of the word, the
message of salvation. (Acts 11:14; 15:7; 1 Cor. 1:18, 21; Jas. 1:21) Every
person who has ever obeyed the gospel was "led" to do so by the Spirit of God.
He was the revealer of the word of God through the apostles and prophets
(Eph. 3:5), and when his word is preached, he leads people to become Christians
through the instrumentality of the word he revealed.
The same is true with regard to the expression "led by the Spirit of God" in
Rom. 8:14. The irresistible conclusion is, the Spirit leads through the words he
has given through Paul and the other apostles of Christ. The Spirit tells people
how to live in the gospel. This "clue" is found on the very surface of the book
of Romans. It is in the "keynote" text. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel;
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew
first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) "But thanks be to God, that you
who were once slaves to sin, have obeyed from the heart the pattern of
teaching to which you were committed." (Rom. 6:17) The believers in Rome
were being led by the Spirit of God through the gospel, which is the pattern
of teaching that emanated from God, and was preached by Paul. Therefore,
Paul could say in Rom. 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has set me free from the law of sin and death."
RD
Copyright 2011
From the days of early man, the Spirit of God has been active in various ways. I have no reason to believe from Scripture that the Spirit is not working today...perhaps ways that are different, but still working.
ReplyDeleteAll Scripture has been revealed because we know the Apostles were guided into ALL truth. We read that prophecies, tongues, and miraculous knowledge will cease. However, we have no Scripture to indicate that the Spirit retired. I believe that it is very dangerous to completely dismiss the working of the Spirit of God.
Do you think the Spirit of God has a role in helping us understand or see the Gospel for what it really is? Are you saying that the Spirit cannot be a Helper to us in seeing the Gospel message or understanding the inspired Scripture?
It seems that you are suggesting that "Spirit of God" and "Gospel" can be used interchangeable in this context. This doesn't seem a natural replacement:
"For as many as are led by the [Gospel], these are sons of God."
It seems that if this was the case, the phrase "Spirit of God" would not have been used. In addition, the Spirit was very active in the time that this letter was written. I think we can all agree on that.
From this context, it seems that the Spirit plays a role in our adoption as sons even today.
Thanks for your article! I enjoyed reading it.
Dear Joe:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughtful comment.
Of course the Spirit of God is active
today. He leads those who are sons (
children) of God, just as the text says.
According to the overall and immediate
context of Paul's letter to the Romans,
the Spirit of God leads by means of or
through the gospel, the word of truth.
There is a strong emphasis placed on
the saving power of God's word in the
NT. (Hebrews 4:12)The Holy spirit
revealed the word through the apostles
and prophets. (Jno.16:13; Eph. 3:5)
Whenever anyone is convicted, saved, and
built up by the word (Jno. 16:3;
Jas. 1:18;Acts 20:32), the Holy Spirit
is doing it through or by means of his
message. That message is the gospel of
Christ.