John Calvin Commentary Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." — Romans 8:1 (ASV)

There is then, and so on. After describing the struggle that the godly perpetually have with their own flesh, he returns to the consolation, which was very necessary for them and which he had previously mentioned. This consolation was that even though they were still beset by sin, they were nevertheless exempt from the power of death and from every curse, provided they did not live in the flesh but in the Spirit.

For he joins together these three things: the imperfection with which the faithful always struggle; the mercy of God in pardoning and forgiving it; and the regeneration of the Spirit. And indeed, this last point is included so that no one should flatter himself with a vain notion, as if he were freed from the curse, while in the meantime securely indulging his own flesh.

Therefore, just as the carnal person flatters himself in vain when he is in no way concerned about reforming his life and promises himself impunity under the pretense of having this grace, so the trembling consciences of the godly have an invincible fortress, for they know that while they abide in Christ, they are beyond every danger of condemnation.

We will now examine the words.

After the Spirit. Those who walk after the Spirit are not those who have completely cast off all the desires of the flesh, so that their whole life is fragrant with nothing but heavenly perfection. Rather, they are those who diligently strive to subdue and mortify the flesh, so that the love of true religion seems to reign in them. He declares that such people do not walk after the flesh, for wherever the genuine fear of God is strong, it deprives the flesh of its sovereignty, though it does not abolish all its corruptions.