Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just a warning that you'll die if you follow your fleshly desires; it's a powerful call to action. The word "mortify" implies actively "putting to death" the sinful desires of your body, not passively waiting for them to disappear, and this active struggle is what the Spirit empowers you to do.
Paul is wrapping up his argument that belonging to Christ means freedom from condemnation and the power of sin. Having explained that believers are led by the Spirit, he now directly contrasts the outcome of living by the flesh versus living by the Spirit. This verse serves as a stark warning against relying on our own desires, emphasizing that true life comes only through actively pursuing God's will with the Spirit's help.
Paul lays out a stark choice here. It's not a subtle suggestion, but a clear dividing line between two ways of living, each with a guaranteed outcome.
The verse presents a fundamental dichotomy: living 'according to the flesh' versus living 'by the Spirit.'
Living According to the Flesh
This means allowing your natural desires, inclinations, and worldly wisdom to guide your actions and decisions. It's prioritizing self, comfort, and immediate gratification above God's will. Paul is direct: this path leads to 'death.' This isn't just physical death, but a spiritual separation from God, an eternal consequence.
Living by the Spirit
This path is marked by actively yielding to the guidance, power, and influence of the Holy Spirit within you. It involves a conscious effort to 'put to death the deeds of the body.' This isn't about self-punishment, but about partnering with the Spirit to overcome sinful desires and actions. This choice leads to 'life'—both the vibrant spiritual life now and the eternal life to come.
The call to 'put to death' sinful actions might sound daunting. But the key isn't your own strength; it's a dynamic partnership fueled by God's Spirit.
The phrase 'put to death' (mortify) is a strong, active command. It implies a decisive and ongoing struggle against sin.
The Work of the Spirit
Paul clarifies that this isn't a task we can accomplish in our own strength. It's done 'through the Spirit.' This means the Holy Spirit is our empowerer, our guide, and our source of strength in this battle. He convicts us of sin, gives us the desire to resist it, and provides the power to overcome.
Our Active Participation
While the Spirit is the source of power, we are called to be active participants. We must 'put to death' the deeds—the outward expressions and actions that stem from our fleshly nature. This involves:
Understand the original words
praxis · Greek Noun
The sinful acts or behaviors that proceed from the fallen nature of the body; these must be mortified or put to death by the power of the Spirit.
This passage echoes the stark contrast presented in Romans 8:13, stating that sowing to the flesh leads to corruption and death, while sowing to the Spirit leads to eternal life, reinforcing the principle of reaping what you sow.
Colossians 3:5Here, believers are commanded to 'put to death' their earthly nature's desires, which aligns perfectly with the call in Romans 8:13 to 'mortify the deeds of the body' through the Spirit.
1 John 3:7This verse highlights the essential nature of righteousness for those who belong to God, directly supporting the idea in Romans 8:13 that living by the Spirit results in life, implying a life of righteousness.
Romans 6:12This passage provides a foundational understanding for Romans 8:13, as it urges believers not to let sin reign in their mortal bodies and not to present their bodies to sin, directly relating to the 'deeds of the body' that are to be put to death.
Galatians 5:16This verse acts as a practical outworking of Romans 8:13, stating that walking by the Spirit prevents fulfilling the desires of the flesh, offering a constant guide for the ongoing process of mortification.
bengelRomans 8:13: "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Romans 8:13 .[91] Τοῦ σώματος ) Others read, Τῆς ΣΑΡΚΌς . Baumgarten defends the former, I leave it undetermined.[92]— ζήσεσθε , ye shall live ) He does not say, μέλλετε ζῇν , you are about (thereby) to obtain life , but ζήσεσθε , you will remain in life . In the repentance of those, over whom the flesh had dominion, and in the temptations of those, over who…
barnesRomans 8:13: "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
For if you live ... - If you live to indulge your carnal propensities, you will sink to eternal death; Romans 7:23 . Through the Spirit - By the aid of the Spirit; by cherishing and cultivating his influences. What is here required can be accomplished only by the aid of the Holy Spirit. Do mortify - Do put to death; do destroy. Sin is mortified when its powe…
The verse isn't just a warning that you'll die if you follow your fleshly desires; it's a powerful call to action. The word "mortify" implies actively "putting to death" the sinful desires of your body, not passively waiting for them to disappear, and this active struggle is what the Spirit empowers you to do.
Paul is wrapping up his argument that belonging to Christ means freedom from condemnation and the power of sin. Having explained that believers are led by the Spirit, he now directly contrasts the outcome of living by the flesh versus living by the Spirit. This verse serves as a stark warning against relying on our own desires, emphasizing that true life comes only through actively pursuing God's will with the Spirit's help.
Paul is wrapping up his argument that belonging to Christ means freedom from condemnation and the power of sin. Having explained that believers are led by the Spirit, he now directly contrasts the outcome of living by the flesh versus living by the Spirit. This verse serves as a stark warning against relying on our own desires, emphasizing that true life comes only through actively pursuing God's will with the Spirit's help.
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It’s a continuous process, not a one-time fix. As one commentator put it, 'If ye do not kill sin, it will kill you.' But in this partnership, the Spirit ensures our victory.
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." — The verse isn't just a warning that you'll die if you follow your fleshly desires; it's a powerful call to action. The word "mortify" implies actively "putting to death" the sinful desires of your bo…
