Should the phrase "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" be in Romans 8:1 or Romans 8:4?
The phrase belongs in Romans 8:4, not Romans 8:1. The earliest manuscripts do not contain it in verse 1, and recognized Bible scholars agree its placement there is an error. It fits verse 4, where the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
Les explains that the words “Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” do not belong in Romans 8:1 but are where they belong down in Romans 8:4. He notes that all the earliest manuscripts do not have them in verse 1, and the great Bible scholars agree this is an error. If left in verse 1, the phrase would suggest that getting into Christ Jesus depended on not walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit, which contradicts salvation as faith plus nothing. Down in verse 4, however, it is perfect: the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us who, because of verse 3—God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin to take care of old Adam—walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.