No Longer Slaves

Fr. Scott Haynes

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear: but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba, Father. For the Spirit Himself gives testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.” (Rom 8:12–17)

Introduction: Our True Identity

In these verses from Romans 8:12–17, St. Paul reminds us that we are not only sinners who have been forgiven but also adopted children of God, destined to share the glory of Christ. Here is the beating heart of the Gospel. The Apostle does not present Christianity as a mere moral system or a philosophical outlook. It is a new life given through grace, a participation in the very life of the Trinity.

This passage, though brief, speaks of death and life, fear and freedom, slavery and sonship, suffering and glory. It summons us to conversion, challenges us to holiness, and consoles us with the assurance of God’s fatherly love. For those who take these words seriously, life can never be the same.

Let us meditate on each phrase, guided by the wisdom of the Fathers and saints, so that we may understand not only what St. Paul teaches but also how to live as sons and daughters of God.

1. “We are debtors, not to the flesh”

Paul begins: “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh” (v. 12). To whom do we owe our allegiance? Not to the flesh. The “flesh” here does not mean the human body in itself, which God created good, but the disordered inclinations of fallen nature. To live “according to the flesh” is to make the self the measure of all things, to seek pleasure and comfort as life’s highest goals, to neglect God.

St. Augustine clarifies:

“To live according to the flesh is to live according to oneself. For when a man lives according to man, not according to God, he lives according to the flesh.”¹

The Christian owes nothing to this old life. It gave us nothing but misery. Chrysostom presses the point:

“You owe nothing to the flesh, for it has done you no good. All its counsels were to your ruin. Your debt is to God who has set you free from death.”²

How easily, though, we act as if indebted to sin—returning to old habits, excusing pride, nursing grudges. The Apostle’s call is liberating: you are free. Live as one who belongs to Christ.

2. “If you live according to the flesh, you shall die”

Paul does not soften the truth. “If you live according to the flesh, you shall die” (v. 13). This is more than physical death. It is the second death, eternal separation from God. Today, many minimize sin. Some imagine God’s mercy excuses a lack of conversion. Paul’s words cut through illusions. There is no life apart from God.

Origen comments:

“If you live according to the flesh you will die, because the flesh cannot inherit incorruption. Only the Spirit gives life, and unless the Spirit rules, death reigns.”³

Even the baptized can forfeit grace by returning to sin. This is why the Church insists on vigilance and penance. Sin is not a trifle; it is lethal. Chrysostom, with pastoral urgency, says:

“As the tree cut off from its root withers, so the soul cut off from the Spirit dies. Do not cut yourself off by yielding to the flesh.”⁴

Let these warnings awaken holy fear—not terror, but a deep resolve to cling to Christ.

3. “If by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live”

Thanks be to God, Paul does not leave us in dread. He shows the way of life: mortification by the Spirit. This is the Christian paradox: we find life by dying—to pride, lust, selfishness. Mortification sounds harsh to modern ears, yet the saints embraced it as the doorway to freedom.

St. Francis de Sales writes:

“We must die to the flesh, not by destroying it, but by refusing it the unlawful pleasures that separate us from God.”⁵

Mortification is not hatred of the body; it is love for God above all. And notice Paul’s phrase: “by the Spirit.” We cannot conquer sin by sheer willpower. Without grace, our efforts collapse. St. Basil teaches:

“It is impossible to live the life of the Spirit without the Spirit. As the eye cannot see without light, so the soul cannot live without grace.”⁶

Practical examples: fasting, guarding the tongue, limiting curiosities, accepting daily inconveniences with patience. These small deaths prepare us for the eternal life promised.

4. “Whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”

Here Paul touches the summit: divine sonship. To be led by the Spirit is the mark of a child of God. Christianity is not external rule-keeping but an interior life moved by grace. The Spirit does not coerce; He draws, prompts, whispers. Do we listen?

St. Irenaeus explains:

“Those who receive and are led by the Spirit become spiritual, and because of the Spirit’s indwelling they are truly sons of God.”⁷

Consider the dignity this gives you. You are not merely a servant; you are family. This identity should shape every choice. When tempted, remember: I am a child of God. When discouraged, recall: The Spirit Himself dwells in me.

5. “You have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear”

Under the old covenant, fear dominated. People served God lest they suffer punishment. But now, Paul says, you have received not fear but freedom. You approach God not as a trembling slave but as a beloved child.

Chrysostom contrasts the two spirits:

“The Spirit does not produce fear but confidence. You approach God not as a criminal fearing the lash, but as a child running to his father’s arms.”⁸

Sadly, many Christians still pray like slaves—hesitant, doubting, imagining God harsh. This wounds His love. Let us renounce servile fear and embrace filial confidence.

6. “You have received the spirit of adoption… whereby we cry: Abba, Father”

What words could be more tender? “Abba” is the term a child uses at home—like “Papa.” Imagine addressing the Creator of galaxies this way. Yet that is our privilege. St. Augustine marvels:

“He who was the Son of God made us sons of God. He prays for us as our Priest, prays in us as our Head, and is prayed to by us as our God.”⁹

Do we realize this when we say the Lord’s Prayer? Each “Our Father” is a miracle of grace. Let us never rush over those words again.

7. “The Spirit Himself gives testimony… that we are the sons of God”

Paul speaks of an interior witness: the Spirit assuring us of God’s love. This is not mere emotion but a profound certitude in grace. St. Bernard writes:

“When the Spirit whispers to your soul that you are loved, then no storm can shake your peace.”¹⁰

Seek this testimony in prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament. Ask the Spirit: “Convince me again that I am Your child.”

8. “If sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”

Our hope soars here. If we are God’s children, we share His inheritance. Heaven is not a dream but our destiny. Cyril of Alexandria rejoices:

“Christ became like us so that we might become like Him: sons by adoption, inheritors of His glory, partakers of His kingdom.”¹¹

Every sacrifice, every cross gains meaning in this light. What earthly trial compares to eternal glory?

9. “If we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him”

Glory comes through the cross. Paul does not promise ease. He promises something greater: union with Christ in suffering and, therefore, in glory. Chrysostom exhorts:

“Do not be afraid of sufferings; they are the road to the kingdom. If you share the cross, you will share the crown.”¹²

Whatever your cross—illness, loneliness, misunderstanding—bear it with Christ. Say with Him: “Father, into Thy hands.” Such suffering becomes a hymn of love.

Footnotes

1. Augustine, On the Spirit and the Letter, ch. 28.

2. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans, Homily XIV.

3. Origen, Commentary on Romans, Book VII.

4. Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans, Homily XIV.

5. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, ch. 23.

6. Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit, ch. 16.

7. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V, ch. 8.

8. Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans, Homily XIV.

9. Augustine, Enarrationes in Psalmos 85.

10. Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons on the Song of Songs, Sermon 74.

11. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John, Book I.

12. Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans, Homily XIV.