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Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 8:6-13 to Be Carnally Minded is Death  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
The teacher argues Paul isn’t pitting “law against gospel” but Mosaic Law versus “the laws of the new covenant”; what do you think those new-covenant laws are in this lesson, and how does “subject to the law of God” confront common evangelical instincts about freedom from law?
Another way to ask: In this lesson, what are the “laws of the new covenant” Paul expects Christians to follow? How does being “subject to the law of God” push back on the idea that Christians are free from any law?

Direct Answer In this lesson, the “laws of the new covenant” are the commandments and Spirit-empowered way of life Christ brings—living “after the Spirit,” putting sin to death, and doing “the will of God.” Being “subject to the law of God” confronts the instinct that grace means no binding obedience, because Paul’s warnings are addressed to Christians.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot: “Contrary to what Luther claimed… Paul is not pitting law against gospel… [but] contrasting the Mosaic Law with the gospel of Christ.”
  • “Jesus did not come to do away with all laws, but to usher in the laws of the new covenant.”
  • The carnal mind is “not subject to the law of God,” and Paul stresses “the need for Christians to be subject to the law of God.”
  • Barnabas ties spiritual life to obedience: “Let us keep His commandments.”
  • Romans 8:13 is applied to believers: “we cannot continue to live an ungodly life after our initial salvation… If you live after the flesh, you will die.”
Discussion Follow-ups How does your church define “freedom” in Christ—freedom from condemnation only, or freedom to obey by the Spirit?

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