The remedy is the Holy Spirit, whom Paul presents in Romans 8 as the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
In Romans 7 Paul is almost bereft, asking why he does what he doesn't want to do and fails to do what he should. Les Feldick shows that the Holy Spirit is completely absent from chapter 7, then appears nineteen times in Romans 8, signaling the answer. The Spirit frees the believer from the law of sin and death, and Romans 8:1 promises no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 — Directly answers the dilemma with 'no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.'
Romans 8:2 — Names the remedy: 'the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus' frees from 'the law of sin and death.'
Romans 8:9 — Explains the believer's position: 'not in the flesh, but in the Spirit' because the Spirit dwells in them.
The dilemma is stated in Romans 7:19: "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Paul cries out in Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Clip 6). The answer begins Romans 8 with a definitive promise: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1; Clip 0). Paul then identifies the remedy: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:2; Clip 4). The chapter contrasts flesh and Spirit: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit" (Rom 8:5; Clip 2). "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you" (Rom 8:8-9; Clip 7). The Spirit, not human willpower, is the remedy.
Les Feldick points out that Romans 7 is marked by the total absence of the Holy Spirit: Paul is almost bereft, asking why he does the thing he does not want to do and fails to do what he wants (Clip 1). Les notes that the Holy Spirit is mentioned only once in the first seven chapters of Romans, in Romans 5, but appears nineteen times in Romans 8. This dramatic contrast shows that Romans 8 is God's answer to the dilemma of Romans 7 (Clips 2, 4, 5). Les teaches that the indwelling Spirit becomes the believer's law, counteracting and superseding the law of sin and death (Clips 3-4). The believer is no longer 'in the flesh' but in the Spirit, and Romans 8:1 promises no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Clips 0, 7).
Paul expresses the dilemma in Romans 7:19: "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do" (Clip 5). Les points out that the Holy Spirit is completely absent from chapter 7, leaving Paul almost bereft as he asks why he does what he does not want to do (Clip 1). Les also notes that Paul went through the same dilemma believers experience, and that some claim to have reached a point where they no longer sin—but the chapter itself shows the struggle is real (Clips 5-6).
Romans 8 is filled with the Holy Spirit—nineteen times by Les's count (Clips 2, 4). The answer is the indwelling Spirit who becomes the believer's law, and the law of the Spirit of life supersedes the law of sin and death (Clips 3-4). Therefore, for the believer, "ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit" (Rom 8:9; Clip 7). This is the remedy: the Spirit's presence and power replaces the old Adam's control.
Romans 8:1 declares "no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Clip 0). Les stresses that this promise is conditional—it qualifies those who are in Christ Jesus—but for such believers it is settled, because God cannot lie (Clip 0). This is the remedy's foundation: the answer is not self-effort but God's promised Spirit and the security of being in Christ.
No Condemnation in Christ Jesus
Les begins with Romans 8:1 as the anchor: no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, and God's promise is settled for those who believe the inspired Word.
The Holy Spirit Absent in Romans 7
Les highlights that the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in Romans 7, showing why the chapter ends in Paul's vexed questions.
Nineteen References in Romans 8
Les counts nineteen references to the Holy Spirit in Romans 8 versus only one in Romans 1-7, pointing to the Spirit as the chapter's central answer.
The Indwelling Spirit as Our Law
Les calls the indwelling Spirit the believer's 'law' that answers how to overcome the old Adam and keep it in defeat.
Law of the Spirit of Life
Les contrasts the law of the Spirit of life with the law of sin and death, showing the Spirit as the remedy that supersedes the Adamic dilemma.
Romans 8 Answers Romans 7
Les says Paul's question in Romans 7 is answered in chapter 8, where the Spirit appears nineteen times.
Wretched Man and Romans 8:1
Les paraphrases Paul's 'O wretched man' cry and immediately points to Romans 8:1 as the answer.
Not in the Flesh but in the Spirit
Les contrasts believers and unbelievers: those in whom the Spirit dwells are not in the flesh, and can please God.
Romans 7:19: For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Paul's statement of the dilemma that sets up the need for a remedy.
Romans 7:24: O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Paul's desperate cry at the end of chapter 7, immediately before the answer in Romans 8.
Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The opening promise of the remedy: no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Explicitly identifies the Spirit of life as the freedom from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:5: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Contrasts the mindset of the flesh with the mindset of the Spirit.
Romans 8:8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Shows the impossibility of pleasing God while in the flesh—before the Spirit's indwelling.
Romans 8:9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Defines the believer's position as being in the Spirit because the Spirit dwells in them.
Les Feldick says the Holy Spirit is referred to nineteen times in Romans 8, in contrast to only once in the previous seven chapters (Romans 5). He uses this contrast to show the chapter is Paul's answer to the dilemma of Romans 7.
It means there is no condemnation. Les emphasizes that this is conditional—it qualifies those who are in Christ Jesus—but for such believers the promise is settled, because God cannot lie. The believer's security rests on the inspired Word of God.
Les presents the struggle as common to believers: Paul went through the same dilemma, and Les says 'here's where we all find ourselves.' While some claim they no longer sin, Romans 8 points to the Spirit as the remedy—not to sinless perfection.
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