1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. Apostle Paul does not say there is no corruption in those who are in Christ Jesus, but there is no condemnation to them. Perfection in holiness is the saint’s aim in this life, his attainment only in the next.
2. He does not say there is no correction belongs to them, but no condemnation; corrected they may be, condemned they never shall be; yea, they are therefore corrected, that they may never be condemned.
3. The apostle does not say there is nothing that deserves condemnation, nothing damnable in them, but not actual condemnation belonging to them.
4. He does not say there is no condemnation to this or that particular believer, to himself, and such as had attained to the like measures and degrees of grace with himself; but he extends the privilege to all believers indefinitely, There is no condemnation to them; that is, to any of them that are in Christ Jesus.
5. He says not, there shall be no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, but there is now none: he has everlasting life, and is already passed from death to life.
6. Our apostle does not say there are not many condemnations belonging to them, but not any: dzeey, not one either from law or gospel; for the gospel has its condemnatory sentence as well as the law; yea, the highest and sorest condemnation is that which the gospel denounces, This is the condemnation, that light, &c Joh 3:19.
Learn hence, 1. That it is a great felicity and happiness, not to be obnoxious to condemnation.
2. That this felicity and happiness is the portion of all those, and only those, that are in Christ Jesus; not by external federation, and visible profession only, but by virtue of a personal implantation into him by faith.
Learn, 3. That such as are thus in Jesus Christ, obey not the inclinations of corrupt nature, but the holy motions of the blessed Spirit of God.
Learn, 4. That a uniform and constant course of holy walking in the paths of sincere obedience, is both the indubitable mark and character, and also the indispensable duty and obligation, of all such as are freed by Christ from condemnation.