⁵ For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Bodily, physical living is part of our existence here on earth—the phrase “in the flesh” refers at times to our physical bodies (see Rom 2:28 for example). But in our passage today, as the context dictates, the phrase refers to something non-physical, though it draws on the analogy of a physical body. Remember, we have already seen in the previous verses that we are crucified with Christ and alive with Him through His resurrection. The picture of death and life carries forward to where Paul can speak of our life before Christ as being “in the flesh.” The imagery is vivid, as the analogy carries forward into the very language Paul uses. In fact, this kind of imagery is quite frequent in Scripture. We read of being “born again,” “redeemed,” “new man,” “old man,” etc. These are all images taken from the physical, cultural world in which we live, all to convey spiritual truth.

So the inspired writer Paul pictures our pre-Christ (pre-grace, pre-faith) life as being “in the flesh.” He brings forward the teaching of chapter 6, where he wrote, “[D]o not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness…” (6:12-13). Why? The “members” of our bodies (here referring to the physical parts of our bodies—tongues, eyes, hands, etc.) were not brought into harness by the Law, but were actually animated for fulfilling the sinful passions in us. And that leads naturally to death. How ironic! That which God gave as good and holy results in spiritual death for those who live under the Law’s mastery! In fact, the Law makes the case worse for them, because it inflames sin.

But now, and this is a big “BUT NOW,” a divine “however” for those who have embraced God’s grace through faith: a divine contrast exists for eternity, the difference between death and life. We believers are no longer under that mastery of the Law, but have been released from the Law’s jurisdiction over us. We are dead to it and no longer required to serve it. Instead, we are free to serve “in newness of the Spirit.” We are free from the fear of falling short. We have a new motivation, that of gratitude, not of fear. That is what is meant by “newness of the Spirit.”

Lord, You are my justifier, and I no longer fear falling short of the Law. Help me walk in the freedom of serving You in the Spirit, and not as still under Law.