Bible Strands
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman believers, positioned between the claim that the Spirit leads God's sons (v.14) and the Spirit's testimony to their sonship (v.16). He is distinguishing two possible internal orientations of the believer.
The words — douleias (δουλείας) is the noun for slavery or bondage, not mere servitude; it names a condition of ownership and compulsion. The contrast is sharpened by the lowercase pneuma (a spirit) versus the capitalized Spirit of adoption — two different agents.
The thread — Galatians 4:5 frames adoption as the goal of redemption from the law; 2 Timothy 1:7 replaces the same fear-spirit contrast with power, love, and self-control; 1 Corinthians 2:12 sets the spirit of the world against the Spirit from God.
Why it lands — The verse is a diagnostic: it asks the reader to identify which spirit they actually cry out from. "Abba" is not a feeling to cultivate but a relationship to verify.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Cross-references
- Galatians 4:5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- 1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
- Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
- Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
- Hebrews 2:15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
- Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
- 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.
- Isaiah 56:5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
- Jeremiah 3:19 Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.