What does 'the body' refer to in Romans 8:10?
The body refers to the old Adam—the flesh—which is under the curse and dead because of sin. This mortal body will die unless the Lord comes to translate believers, since death entered through the fall and all men must die.
Les explains that Romans 8:10 follows the mystery of Colossians 1:27—Christ in you, the hope of glory—which is not found in the Gospels, the Old Testament, or the rest of Scripture outside Paul’s epistles. In Romans 8:10, 'the body' is the old Adam, the flesh under the curse. Because death entered at the fall, this body is dead because of sin and will die if the Lord does not come to translate believers.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
More Questions
Why is the body dead because of sin in Romans 8:10?
Death is in the world because Adam and the flesh were placed under the curse in the fall; the body will therefore die unless the Lord comes to translate us, and this is why all men have to die.