Romans 8:15

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VERSE OF THE DAY

November 30

Romans 8:15

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:15-16 is part of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the early Christian church in Rome, written around 57 AD. In these verses, Paul addresses the nature of the believer’s relationship with God. Here’s a breakdown of the passage:

The apostle Paul is the author, writing to a Christian audience that includes both Jews and Gentiles in Rome. His message, however, extends universally to all who identify as followers of Christ.

These verses focus on the transformative nature of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. Paul says, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a Spirit of adoption.” This conveys that believers are not subject to fear or oppression but are granted a new identity—as adopted children of God. The Spirit confirms this identity and enables believers to address God as “Abba, Father,” a term that signifies intimacy and trust.

Paul wrote this during his third missionary journey, likely from Corinth, as he planned his eventual visit to Rome.

This passage is part of the New Testament letter, specifically addressed to the Roman church but intended for a wider Christian audience.

Paul aims to assure believers of their security and freedom in Christ. In the Roman world, adoption was a legally binding act that made an adopted child a full heir, which would resonate deeply with Paul’s audience. He wants Christians to understand that, as God’s children, they are no longer bound by sin or fear but instead share in the inheritance of God’s kingdom.

Through these verses, Paul assures believers of their identity in Christ, reinforcing that the Spirit within them is evidence of their belonging to God and a life free from the bondage of fear.

Here are three commentaries on Romans 8:15-16, reflecting insights that align with each of these author’s themes: A.W. (A.W. Tozer), C.S. (C.S. Lewis), and D.B. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer).

A.W. (A.W. Tozer)

Tozer often emphasized the personal, experiential relationship with God. In Romans 8:15-16, he might note that receiving the Spirit of adoption is a divine invitation to know God intimately, not as a distant figure, but as “Abba, Father.” This passage invites believers to enter a relationship rooted in love, not fear. Tozer would likely highlight how this transformation brings freedom from spiritual enslavement. True worship flows from recognizing God’s fatherly love, drawing us closer to His presence. Believers must cultivate this relationship through faith, allowing the Spirit to confirm within them a life of divine intimacy and belonging.

C.S. (C.S. Lewis)

Lewis would appreciate how Romans 8:15-16 speaks to the transformation of identity through God’s adoption. He might reflect on the idea that Christianity isn’t merely moral reformation but a profound re-creation. This passage reveals the wonder of becoming “sons and daughters” of God. Lewis could liken this adoption to discovering our true selves as heirs, not by merit, but by divine grace. To call God “Abba” is a privilege that overturns our natural state of fear. It’s a reality as life-changing as Narnia’s magic—a reorientation that redefines purpose, awakens hope, and assures a love beyond earthly comprehension.

D.B. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Bonhoeffer, known for his view of costly grace, would see Romans 8:15-16 as illustrating the sacrificial nature of divine adoption. To be God’s children means entering a relationship marked by both privilege and responsibility. Bonhoeffer would likely emphasize that this adoption calls believers into a new kind of freedom, away from fear and into obedient love. Being able to address God as “Abba” reflects the radical shift from estrangement to intimacy. Bonhoeffer might add that this familial bond comes with a call to participate in God’s mission, a commitment requiring courage, faithfulness, and an active, transformative discipleship.