Romans 8 is a “high point” in Paul’s defense of his “Law-free gospel.”
Part of Paul’s broad strategy in defending the Law-free gospel he preached to Judaizing Christians in Rome was to point out the ineffectiveness of the Law in dealing with sin. His argument was that Christians do not need the Law plus Jesus for salvation, but Jesus only. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 259
Remember, these opponents had claimed that the gospel Paul preached would encourage people to keep living in sin. Paul vehemently denied that to be the case (Romans 6-7).
In Romans 8, Paul reaches the height of his argument about why that’s not the case.
Paul will speak of the relation of the saint to the Holy Spirit and will argue from that that one who is alive due to the work of the Lord’s Spirit (which is Christ’s Spirit - and you know how he hated sin), cannot be logically obliged to live in sin. - McGuiggan, Romans, 223
Paul has emphasized the Christian’s new life in Christ, and in Romans 8, he will have much to say about the nature of that life (Wacaster, Studies in Romans, 275). The new life in Christ is…
Governed by the Spirit (Romans 8:1-17).
Looks forward in hope of redemption (Romans 8:18-25).
Trusts in God’s providence (Romans 8:26-30).
Victorious (Romans 8:31-39).
Lord willing, I look forward to digging into Romans 8 with you over the next few weeks!
What a blessing this book has been in our study together so far!