Romans 8:13 - If you are living in accordance with the flesh, you will die?

Does Romans 8:13 have conditions?


Romans 8:13: "For IF you-are-living in-accordance-with (the) flesh, you-will die. But IF (by the) Spirit you-are-putting-to-death the practices (of) the body, you-will-live."


Who is "you"?

Paul wrote: "For if YOU-are-living in-accordance-with (the) flesh, YOU-will die" (Romans 8:13).

Paul here addressed "BROTHERS" (Romans 8:12), as the previous verse reads: "So then, BROTHERS, we-are debtors, not (to) the flesh, (that we should) be-living in-accordance-with (the) flesh. FOR if YOU-are-living in-accordance-with (the) flesh, YOU-will die" (Romans 8:12-13).

One verse earlier, Paul wrote to these brothers about God's "Spirit dwelling in YOU" (Romans 8:11), as Paul wrote: "if the Spirit (of) the (One) having-raised Jesus from (the) dead (ones) is-dwelling in YOU, the (One) having-raised Christ from (the) dead (ones) will also give-life-to YOUR dying bodies through His Spirit dwelling in YOU. SO THEN, BROTHERS, we-are-debtors" (Romans 8:11-12). 


Who could be "living in accordance with the flesh"?

Paul would have included himself with the brothers in the possibility or ability to be "LIVING IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH (THE) FLESH" (Romans 8:13), as Paul may have implied by writing: "WE-are debtors, not (to) the flesh, (that WE should) BE-LIVING IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH (THE) FLESH" (Romans 8:12).


Living "in accordance with" the flesh in distinction with living "in" the flesh:

To be living "IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH" the flesh would be different than merely living "IN" the flesh. 

To be "living IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH (the) flesh" (Romans 8:13) would be to be living IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH the desires of the flesh.

To be "living IN (the) flesh" (Philippians 1:21) would be to be living INSIDE a body made of flesh (whether someone lives in accordance with the desires of that flesh or not). 

Paul wrote: "the LIVING (is) Christ, and the DYING (is) gain. Now if (it is) the LIVING IN (THE) FLESH, this (for) me (means) fruit (from) work. And I-do not know what I-shall-choose, but am-gripped by the two, having the desire that (I might) DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST, for (that is) better (by) much more, but THE REMAINING IN THE FLESH (is) more-necessary for your sake" (Philippians 1:21-24). 

Someone can be living in the flesh without living in accordance with the desires of the flesh, as Peter wrote: "the (one) having-suffered (IN THE) FLESH has-ceased (from) sin, so-as TO-LIVE the remaining time IN (THE) FLESH no-longer (for the) desires (of) humans" (1 Peter 4:1-2).


You will "die"? You will "live?"

In Romans 8:13 "YOU-WILL DIE" is contrasted with "YOU-WILL-LIVE", as Paul wrote: "IF you-are-living in-accordance-with (the) flesh, YOU-WILL DIE. BUT IF (by the) Spirit you-are-putting-to-death the practices (of) the body, YOU-WILL-LIVE" (Romans 8:13).

The terms "YOU-WILL-LIVE" (Romans 8:13) could not refer to biologically continuing to be living, otherwise someone "putting-to-death the practices (of) the body" (Romans 8:13) would go on to never biologically pass away. This would instead refer to eternal "LIFE". 

In contrast, the terms "YOU-WILL DIE" (Romans 8:13) would refer to DIE from sin (which can be distinct from biologically passing away).

For more information:
What is death (from sin)?:
Click here

2 chapters earlier, both DEATH and LIFE are contrasted by Paul in the same order (death first, then life after), as Paul wrote: "the wages (of) SIN (is) DEATH, but the gift (of) God (is) ETERNAL LIFE in Christ" (Romans 6:23).

It is possible for someone to DIE from sin after having been ALIVE.

For more information:
Is it possible to become dead (from sin) after having been alive?:
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Putting to death the practices of the body?

Paul wrote: "if (by the) Spirit YOU-ARE-PUTTING-TO-DEATH [thanatoо́ 2289 in Greek] the PRACTICES (of) the BODY, you-will-live" (Romans 8:13).

Paul used similar terms elsewhere in Colossians 3, writing: "PUT-TO-DEATH [nekroо́ 3499 in Greek] (your) BODY-PART (PRACTICES) on earth, sexual-immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, because-of which (things) the wrath (of) God is-coming upon the sons (of) disobedience" (Colossians 3:5-6).



Similarities between Romans 8 & Galatians 5-6? 

There are similarities between Romans 8 and Galatians 5-6:


Brothers:

It is written in Romans 8: "So then, BROTHERS, we-are debtors, not (to) the flesh, (that we should) be-living in-accordance-with (the) FLESHFor if YOU-are-living in-accordance-with (the) FLESHYOU-will die" (Romans 8:12-13).

It is written in Galatians 5: "YOU were-called for freedom, BROTHERS, only (do) not (use) the freedom for (an) opportunity (for) the FLESH" (Galatians 5:13).


Living in accordance with the flesh:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "For if you-are-living in-accordance-with (the) FLESHYOU-WILL DIE" (Romans 8:13).

Paul wrote in Galatians 5: "the works (of) the FLESH are evident" (Galatians 5:19) and "THE (ONES) practicing such (things) WILL NOT INHERIT (THE) KINGDOM (OF) GOD" (Galatians 5:21).


By the Spirit:

It is written in Romans 8: "(BY THE) SPIRIT you-are-putting-to-death the practices (of) the BODY" (Romans 8:13).

It is written in Galatians 5: "be-walking (BY THE) SPIRIT and you-will never fulfill (the) desire (of the) FLESH" (Galatians 5:16).


Practices of the body:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "But if (by the) Spirit you-are-putting-to-death the PRACTICES (of) the BODY, you-will-live" (Romans 8:13). 

Paul wrote in Galatians 5: "the WORKS (of) the FLESH are evident" (Galatians 5:19) and "the (ones) PRACTICING such (things) will not inherit (the) kingdom (of) God" (Galatians 5:21).


You will live:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "if (by the) SPIRIT you-are-putting-to-death the practices (of) the body, YOU-WILL-LIVE" (Romans 8:13).

Paul wrote in Galatians 6: "the (one) sowing to (the) SPIRIT will-reap eternal LIFE out-of the Spirit" (Galatians 6:8).


Being led by the Spirit:

It is written in Romans 8: "For all-who ARE-BEING-LED (BY THE) SPIRIT (of) God, these are sons (of) God" (Romans 8:14).

It is written in Galatians 5: "if YOU-ARE-BEING-LED (BY THE) SPIRIT, you-are not under (the) Law" (Galatians 5:18).


Similarities between Romans 8 & Revelation 3? 

There are similarities between Romans 8 and Revelation 3:


You will die:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "brothers" (Romans 8:12) that "if you-are-living in-accordance-with (the) flesh, YOU-WILL DIE" (Romans 8:13).

It is written in Revelation 3 to "the church in Sardis" (Revelation 3:1) that "YOU-ARE DEAD" (Revelation 3:1).


Put to death things:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "if (by the) Spirit YOU-ARE-PUTTING-TO-DEATH the practices (of) the body, you-will-live" (Romans 8:13).

It is written in Revelation 3 to "establish the remaining (things) which WERE-ABOUT-TO DIE" (Revelation 3:2).


By the Spirit:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "if (by the) SPIRIT you-are-putting-to-death the practices (of) the body, you-will-live" (Romans 8:13).

It is written in Revelation 3 to "Let the (one) having (an) ear hear what the SPIRIT is-saying (to) the churches" (Revelation 3:2).


You will live:

Paul wrote in Romans 8: "if (by the) Spirit you-are-putting-to-death the practices (of) the body, YOU-WILL-LIVE" (Romans 8:13).

It is written in Revelation 3 to "The (one) overcoming will in-this-manner clothe (himself) in white garments. And I-will never WIPE-OUT his name from the book (of) LIFE" (Revelation 3:2).


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