Romans 8:12

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

BSB

Parallel translations

4 additional translations

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KJV

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

ASV

So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:

YLT

So, then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh;

DBT

So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh;

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Commentary voices

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Voices4

On this verse

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, that we should live according to the flesh." He taught above that the Spirit of Christ dwells in us, and that the gifts of the Spirit have been conferred upon us. Consequently, then, he now adds that "we are debtors" — debtors, without doubt, for those things which we have obtained from the Spirit of Christ. But "we are not debtors," he says, "to the flesh."

Origen of Alexandria· COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, 253patristic

Related commentary

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors,....

John Gill· Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)reformed

Therefore, brethren, etc. - Dr. Taylor is of opinion that the apostle having spoken separately, both to Jews and Gentiles, concerning holiness and the obligations to it, now addresses himself to both conjointly, and, I. Draws the general conclusion from all his arguments upon this subject, Rom 8:12. II. Proves the validity of their claims to eternal life, Rom 8:14-17. III.

Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible, 1832evangelical

We are not debtors to it; the flesh never did us so much kindness as to oblige us to serve it. It is implied that we are debtors to Christ and to the Spirit: there we owe our all, all we have and all we can do, by a thousand bonds and obligations.

Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1710puritan

Voices on this verse

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Cross-references

12 linked verses

The verses this one reaches12

Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13:14
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Romans 6:2–15
Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
1 Peter 4:2–3
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Psalms 116:16
Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
2 Peter 2:10
Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
1 Peter 4:3
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
Romans 1:14
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
Galatians 5:18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Cross-references

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The quotation web

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Original language

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Around this verse

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread — the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The Crucifixion — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

Romans — Paul's gospel set out in order. Four great movements: sin, salvation, sanctification, sovereignty — closing with sustained calls to service and unity.

Canon: New Testament
Author: Paul the apostle, dictated to Tertius (Rom 16:22)
Date: c. AD 57, from Corinth before the Jerusalem offering

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first — the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Psalms 116:16
Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
leads to
- Psalms 86:16
  Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant.
- Psalms 143:12
  And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
- Psalms 119:125
  I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
- James 1:1
  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
- Acts 27:23
  For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me

The whole web at once: see the Arc.

Where the connections lead

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Continue: Romans 8 →