Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 8:9

"But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." — Romans 8:9 (ASV)

But you. You who are Christians. This is the opposite character to that which he had been describing and shows the power of the gospel.

Not in the flesh. Not under the full influence of corrupt desires and passions.

But in the Spirit. That is, you are spiritually minded; you are under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God. The Holy Ghost.

Dwell in you. The Holy Spirit is often represented as dwelling in the hearts of Christians (Compare to 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21–22; Galatians 4:6). The meaning is not that there is a personal or physical indwelling of the Holy Ghost, but that He influences, directs, and guides Christians, producing meekness, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, etc. (Galatians 5:22–23). The expression, to dwell in one, denotes intimacy of connection and means that those things which are the fruits of the Spirit are produced in the heart.

Have not the Spirit of Christ. The word "spirit" is used in a great variety of meanings in the Scriptures. It most commonly in the New Testament refers to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Ghost. But the expression "the Spirit of Christ" is not, I believe, anywhere applied to Him, except it may be in 1 Peter 1:11. He is often called the Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16; Matthew 12:28; 1 Corinthians 2:11, 14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 4:30), but not the Spirit of the Father.

The word "spirit" is also often used to denote temper or disposition; thus we say, a man of a generous spirit, or of a revengeful spirit, etc. It may possibly have this meaning here, denoting that he who does not have the temper or disposition of Christ is not His, or has no evidence of piety.

However, the connection seems to demand that it should be understood in a sense similar to the expression "the Spirit of God," and the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus (Romans 8:11). If so, it means the Spirit whom Christ imparts or sends to accomplish His work (John 14:26)—the Holy Spirit, sent to make us like Christ and to sanctify our hearts.

In this sense, it evidently denotes the Spirit whom Christ would send to produce in us the views and feelings He came to establish, and which shall assimilate us to Himself. If this refers to the Holy Spirit, then we see the manner in which the apostle spoke of the Savior.

He regarded "the Spirit" as equally the Spirit of God and of Christ, as proceeding from both. Thus, He evidently believed that there is a union of nature between the Father and the Son. Such language could never be used except on the supposition that the Father and the Son are one; that is, that Christ is Divine.

Is none of his. This means one is not a Christian. This is a test of piety that is easily applied, and this settles the question. If a person is not influenced by the meek, pure, and holy spirit of the Lord Jesus, if they are not conformed to His image, if their life does not resemble that of the Savior, they are a stranger to religion.

No test could be more easily applied, and none is more decisive. It matters not what else someone may have. They may be loud in their professions, amiable in their temper, bold in their zeal, or active in promoting the interests of their own party or denomination in the church; but if they do not have the temper of the Savior, and do not manifest His spirit, it is as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

May all who read this honestly examine themselves, and may they have that which is the source of the purest felicity: the spirit and temper of the Lord Jesus.