An Interpolation?

(Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The last ten words of this verse are omitted in most of the modern versions. The translators claim that these words are not in the best manuscripts. The manuscripts they are referring to, Vaticanus and Siniaticus, are utterly corrupt. There is a pure stream (Ps. 12:6-7) of manuscripts and a corrupt stream (2 Cor. 2:17). The pure stream of manuscripts that flows from Antioch ("the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch") do not omit these words. The corrupt stream flows from Alexandria, EGYPT ("Out of Egypt have I called my Son"). The self-appointed Bible correctors say this is a scribal gloss. They claim that somewhere along the line a scribe that was copying the passage mistakenly took the words from v.4 and added them to v.1 and his error has continually been reproduced since then. A marginal note in the Old Scofield Reference Bible says these words are "interpolated" (inserted or added to the original). That is not the only note in the Scofield Bible that casts doubt on the word of God (for other examples see Mk. 16:9-20 and 1 Jn. 5:7, “It is generally agreed that v.7 has no real authority, and has been inserted”). This is just a classic example of men changing God’s word when they don't understand it. Because they don’t understand the verse in its context they think it’s implying that a believer can lose salvation and so they change it to match their limited understanding. We must change our beliefs to match the word of God, not change the word of God to match our beliefs. We must believe what the Bible says, as it says it, and where it says it. God will give us further light as we study His word with a BELIEVING heart. 

The King James Bible is perfect because it is the inspired word of God in the English language. To mess with one word is to throw things out of sorts and cause a real problem. God’s word is exact and precise. In the immediate context we have an example of the precision of God’s word. 

(Romans 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

It wouldn’t have been doctrinally sound to say:

1. Christ came in sinful flesh (He was without sin)

2. Christ came in the likeness of flesh (He came in actual flesh)

3. Christ came in the flesh (He has an immortal flesh and bone body after resurrection that was not in the likeness of sinful flesh)

Romans 8:1 is certainly not teaching that we can lose salvation. This very chapter teaches the eternal security of the believer (Rom. 8:28-39)! 

According to the scripture, a believer can bring temporal condemnation on himself in this life if he gives place to the flesh (1 Cor. 11:27-34). This has to do with our temporal state (changeable condition) and not our eternal standing (unchangeable position in Christ). But I think that Romans 8:1 is speaking of our standing, not our state. In fact, I think the whole passage is about our standing. Notice that it does not say, “IF they walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. It says “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. The latter part of v.1 is a descriptive clause, not conditional. 

Upon salvation we are made a "new creature" in Christ (2 Cor. 5:16-17). Immediately "all things are become new" because in our standing we know no man "after the flesh". We are in one new spiritual body and our identity is in our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal. 3:27-28). Being baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, we are identified with Him in every way. We are crucified, buried, risen, and seated in heavenly places with Him. We are justified by HIS righteousness!

Paul often uses the word “walk” in regard to our state but in Romans 8 he is talking about our standing. All members of the Body of Christ are in the Spirit and therefore not in the flesh (Rom. 8:8-9). All members of the Body of Christ are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14). 

 

(Romans 8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

To walk after the Spirit is to be led of the Spirit. Not all believers walk IN the Spirit like they should (Gal. 5:25) but all believers walk AFTER the Spirit. Those that are not led by the Spirit are trying to keep the law for their justification (Gal. 5:18). Those who have confidence in their flesh to keep the works of the law are walking after the flesh (Phil. 3:3-9). Religion is of the flesh (Gal. 6:12-15; Phil. 3:18-19)! 

 

Always trust the word of God! Never trust the "scholars"!

 

(Psalm 118:8) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.