However, you do not live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, it is not his.
8:9
— “You do not live according to the flesh” (“you are not in the flesh” — old version, and the Greek text) means not to live the life of a sinner. In this context the phrase “not to be in the flesh” surely does not mean to be physically dead. There are living (physically speaking) who “are in the flesh,” and who are “not in the flesh.” — “but according to the Spirit” (“but in the spirit” — old version, and the Greek text) means to live the life of a Christian. The contrast, “not in the flesh, but in the spirit,” indicates that the human spirit is being referred to. — “the Spirit of God dwells…” He dwells in the Christian who walks according to the spirit. It is also called the “Spirit of Christ.” The Spirit of God, or of Christ, dwells in the Christian because he walks spiritually and not carnally. This indwelling is nothing miraculous, separated from instruction by the written word of God. It is not some “irresistible grace.” The Greek verb, here translated “dwell,” is found in 1Co 7:12-13, “live,” or “dwell” (according to other good versions). The spouses dwell or dwell together. It is also found in Romans 7:18; Romans 7:20 with regard to indwelling sin and good. There is an abode of something if there is direction, guidance, government or control from it. Compare Joh 15:5; Joh 15:7; Joh 15:9-10. The Holy Spirit guides and controls through his revealed word (Eph 5:18“filled with the Spirit” is equivalent to Col 3:16, “the word of Christ dwell in you.”). The Holy Spirit controls the person by the word (message) that he has revealed (2Ti 3:15-17). He dwells in that person from day to day (as in a house), and the person being thus led, lets the Holy Spirit dwell in him. — “And if any… is not his.” Christ is going to return for his own (Joh 14:3) and those who do not let the Holy Spirit dwell in them are not of him!
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
but you do not live according to the flesh. Romans 8:2; Eze 11:19; Eze 36:26, Eze 36:27; Joh 3:6.
if the Spirit of God dwells in you. Romans 8:11; Luke 11:13; 1Co 3:16; 1Co 6:19; 2Co 6:16; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:13, Eph 1:17, Eph 1:18; Eph 2:22; 2Ti 1:14; 1Jn 3:24; 1Jn 4:4; Jude 1:19-21.
if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ. Joh 3:34; Gal 4:6; Phil 1:19; 1Pe 1:11.
is not him. Joh 17:9, Joh 17:10; 1Co 3:21-23; 1Co 15:23; 2Co 10:7; Gal 5:24; Rev 13:8; Rev 20:15.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
Christians no longer live according to the flesh, under the control of their sinful human nature. Instead, the Spirit lives with them, empowering them, and they can live in a way that pleases God.
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU. From the moment he accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, every believer has the Holy Spirit living in him (cf. 1Co 3:16; 1Co 6:19-20; Eph 1:13-14; see ARTICLE THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, P. 1518. ).
Source: Full Life Study Bible
Blackberry. It refers to being in your own home. The Spirit of God establishes his dwelling place in each person who trusts in Jesus Christ. cop. 1Co 6:19-20; 1Co 12:13. If there is no evidence of His presence by the fruit He produces (Gal 5:22-23), a person has no right to declare Christ as his Savior and Lord.
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
8:9 – “do not live according to the flesh” (“you are not in the flesh” — old version, and the Greek text) means not to live the life of a sinner. In this context the phrase “not to be in the flesh” surely does not mean to be physically dead. There are living (physically speaking) who “are in the flesh,” and who are “not in the flesh.”
– “but according to the Spirit” (“but in the spirit” — old version, and the Greek text) means to live the life of a Christian. The contrast, “not in the flesh, but in the spirit,” indicates that the human spirit is being referred to.
–“the Spirit of God dwells…” He dwells in the Christian who walks according to the spirit. It is also called the “Spirit of Christ.” The Spirit of God, or of Christ, dwells in the Christian because he walks spiritually and not carnally.
This indwelling is nothing miraculous, separated from instruction by the written word of God. It is not some “irresistible grace.” The Greek verb, here translated “dwell,” is found in 1Co 7:12-13, “to live,” or “dwell” (according to other good versions). The spouses dwell or dwell together. It is also found in Rom 7:18; Rom 7:20 regarding indwelling sin and good. There is an abode of something if there is direction, guidance, government or control from it. Compare Joh 15:5; Joh 15:7; Joh 15:9-10. The Holy Spirit guides and controls through his revealed word (Eph 5:18, “filled with the Spirit” is equivalent to Col 3:16, “the word of Christ dwell in you.”). The Holy Spirit controls the person by the word (message) that he has revealed (2Ti 3: 15-17). He dwells in that person from day to day (as in a house), and the person being thus led allows the Holy Spirit to dwell in him.
–“And if any… is not his.” Christ is going to return for his own (John 14:3) and those who do not allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in them are not his!
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
— since: It could also be translated: yes, truly. Regarding the contrast: Spirit-disordered appetites (flesh), see note to Romans 7:5.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
1Co 3:16.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
CROSS-REFERENCES
t 478 Gal 5:25
u 479 1Co 3:16
v480 Gal 4:6
Source: New World Translation
not…in the flesh but in the Spirit. This does not deny the sinful nature (7:14-25), but rather the believer, being regenerated, is inclined by the Spirit to follow the direction He indicates.
the Spirit of God dwells in you. The Spirit resides in the believer by virtue of his faith in Christ.
Spirit of Christ. That is, the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Pet 1:11).
Source: The Bible of the Americas
9 (1) This chapter reveals to us how the Triune God the Father, (v.15), the Son (vs.3,29,32). and the Spirit (vs.9,11,13-14,16,23,26) dispenses Himself as life (vs.2,6,10,11) in us, tripartite men of spirit, soul and body to make us His children (vs. 14-15,19,23,29,17) in order to constitute the Body of Christ (12:4-5).
9 (two) That is, he makes his home, he resides (cf. Eph_3:17). If we allow the Spirit of the Triune God to make his home in us, that is, establish himself in us with enough space, then in our experience we are in the spirit and no longer in the flesh. If such is the case, the Triune God as the Spirit will be able to diffuse from our spirit (v.10) to our soul, represented by our mind (v.6), and even in time give life to our mortal body (v. .eleven).
9 (3) This shows that our belonging to Christ depends on His Spirit. If the Spirit of Christ did not exist or if Christ were not the Spirit, we would have no way of uniting with Him or belonging to Him. However, the fact is that Christ is the Spirit (2Co_3:17), He is in our spirit ( 2Ti_4:22) and is one spirit with us (1Co_6:17).
9 (4) The Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ are not two Spirits, but one. Paul used these titles interchangeably, indicating that the indwelling Spirit of life (v. 2) is the all-inclusive, life-giving Spirit of the Triune God in all of him. God, the Spirit, and Christ, all three of the Godhead, are mentioned in this verse. However, there are not three who are in us, but only one, the triune Spirit of the Triune God ( Jua_4:24 ; 2Co_3:17 ; Rom_8:11). The title “the Spirit of God” implies that this Spirit is the Spirit of the One who was from eternity past, who created the universe and who is the origin of all things. The title “the Spirit of Christ” implies that this Spirit contains the reality of Christ, the Incarnate. This Christ accomplished everything necessary to fulfill God’s plan. The he consists not only of divinity, which he possessed from eternity, but also of humanity, which he obtained through incarnation. It also includes human living, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension. This is the Spirit of Christ in resurrection, that is, Christ Himself indwelling our spirit (v.10) to impart Himself, the embodiment of the processed Triune God, into us as the resurrection life and the power of resurrection. this, to put an end to the death that is in our nature (v.2). In this way, today we can live in the resurrection of Christ, in Christ Himself, by living in the mingled spirit.
9 (5) It refers to the immutable origin and position, and not to the variable condition and experience. We have the Spirit of Christ according to the origin, the new birth; therefore, we are Christ’s and belong to Him. However, in our present spiritual experience and condition, it is not enough that we are His; we also need to be in Him.
Source: New Testament Commentary Recovery Version
If that. Ie, since. There is no doubt in Paul’s statement: those who belong to Christ have the Holy Spirit.
Source: Ryrie Annotated Study Bible
because… → §106.
Source: Textual Bible IV Edition
R1186 Note the adversative use of δέ in vv. 9 and following (but).
M38 In NT Greek there is no possessive adjective in the third person singular. So the genitive pronoun can appear alone: οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτου means: this is not his.
TGr119 The mystical union with Christ, which is described by the words ἐν Χριστῷ, is explained in complementary terms as the fact that Christ or the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer. This is a reciprocal indwelling: You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. The idea of mutual indwelling is real enough for those who actually live within this new sphere of spiritual existence.
Source: Grammar Help for the Study of the Greek New Testament
g §106.