‘But you are not within flesh, but on the contrary, within breath, [pneuma], since indeed, Breath [Pneuma] of God is dwelling within you. But if anyone is not possessing the Breath [Pneuma] of the Messiah he is absolutely not existing of him’, (Romans 8 v 9).
‘But you…’, by which Paul means ‘You Christians…’. Paul says that Christians ‘are not within flesh’. It is obvious that Christians still retain their fleshly body – the ‘death-body’ that constitutes the ‘tent’ or ‘clay vessel’ that they ‘inhabit’ and that is intrinsically unresponsive to God. So what does Paul mean by the phrase ‘you are not within flesh’? He means that ‘contrary’ to those existing within flesh, walking around down from and within enslavement to flesh, those who are brought forth by God are no longer in their previous enslaved state – something radical has happened to them. They are no longer within their unpardoned, enslaved state of self-forfeiture. They are not existing down from flesh, (Romans 8 v 5). ‘Knowing this, that our old human appearance is crucified together with [Him], in order that the body of self-forfeiture and loss is rendered down to being idle and inactive. We are no longer devotedly enslaved to the self-forfeiture and loss’, (Romans 6 v 6).
So what is the fundamental principle and source of this polarising difference between Christians and unbelievers? It is this -
The Breath related to God and the heavenly realm that is indwelling them and is moving on the basis of Life within the Messiah
Christians possess a movement or current within them of opposition to the impulses inherent in their flesh. They possess sensitivity and responsiveness to God, an impulse towards loyal service, and enlightened knowledge and perception with regard to God and the Messiah. It is by means of this Breath that they are placed in union with their Messiah. The Apostle says that the differentiating and empowering source towards maintaining divine approval day-by-day is not divine law, for the reasons that Paul has been explaining since chapter 7 v 1. The differentiating and empowering source towards godliness and Life within the Messiah is the Breath of God. The contrast that Paul consistently makes is between flesh and the Breath of God.
The next phrase is usually translated - ‘if indeed the Breath of God is dwelling within you’. The conjunction – ‘if’ - is causal, not conditional. Hence I translate it like this – ‘Since the Breath has presence and activity within you’, in your heart or deep inner core, (I Corinthians 2 v 16; 6 v 19; Ephesians 2 v 22; Galatians 4 v 6). Seeing that the Breath is at the very foundation of your emerging thoughts, intentions, desires and feelings, ‘you [Christians] are not within flesh’. You are no longer enslaved to flesh.
If we are in any doubt with regard to this polarising difference between Christians and unbelievers, Paul stresses it once more. ‘But if anyone is not possessing the Breath [Pneuma] of the Messiah, he is absolutely not existing of him’. The Breath that Paul is talking about he sometimes calls the Breath of God and at other times the Breath of the Messiah. (Usually translated as the ‘Spirit of God’ or the ‘Holy Spirit’]. Here Paul says ‘Breath of the Messiah’, because this movement and current proceeds from the Messiah, is procured by the Messiah, and leads the individual Christian to reflecting the image of the Messiah, (John 14 v 26; 16 v 7; Galatians 4 v 6). The Breath of the Messiah could only be given following the successful obedience of Jesus to the point of death and God’s subsequent approval by rousing him from out of the dead.
Whatever an individual may say, if they do not possess the Breath of the Messiah then they are none of his - not a member of the body of the Messiah, not a Christian, not existing in a state of deliverance, but still enslaved to flesh. Therefore this whole discourse about divine judicial approval day-by-day has no reference to such an individual because they do not possess the Breath. This is a plain, clear differentiation between Christians and unbelievers that admits no exception.
So the main point that Paul is making is that Christians are no longer existing down from being enslaved to their flesh, with its impulses and drives. They are existing down from the Breath of God and His Messiah, which they hold and possess in their deep inner core and that provides a current of opposition to their fleshly impulses. They are encouraged to work alongside this Breath, using their enlightened minds. So Paul does not turn to Covenant law, but to the Breath.
