Romans 8 · Verse 14

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:14, King James Version

Romans 8:14 in other translations

BSB	For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
WEB	For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
ASV	For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
YLT	for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God;
DARBY	for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
BBE	And all those who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Webster	For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What does Romans 8:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, they, &c.--"these are sons of God." Hitherto the apostle has spoken of the Spirit simply as a power through which believers mortify sin: now he speaks of Him as a gracious, loving Guide, whose "leading"--enjoyed by all in whom is the Spirit of God's dear Son--shows that they also are "sons of God."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 14. For as many. Whosoever; all who are thus led. This in- troduces a new topic, illustrating the benefits of the gospel--to wit, that it produces a spirit of adoption, Rom 8:14-17.

As are led. As submit to his influence and control. The Spirit is represented as influencing, suggesting, and controlling. One evidence of piety is, a willingness to yield to that influence, and submit to him. One decided evidence of the want of piety is, where there is an unwillingness to submit to that influence, but where the Holy Spirit is grieved and resisted. All Christians submit to his influence; all sinners decidedly reject it and oppose it. The influence of the Spirit, if followed, would lead every man to heaven. But when neglected, rejected, or despised, man goes down to hell. The glory belongs to the conducting Spirit when man is saved; the fault is man's when he is lost. The apostle here does not agitate the question how it is that the people of God are led by the Spirit, or why they yield to it when others resist it. His design is simply to state the fact, that they who are thus led are the sons of God, or have evidence of piety.

Are the sons of God. Are adopted into his family, and are his children. This is a name of endearment, meaning that they sustain to him this relation; that they are his friends, disciples, and imitators; that they are parts of the great family of the redeemed, of whom he is the Father and Protector. It is often applied to Christians in the Bible, Job 1:6, Jn 1:12, Php 2:15, 1Jn 3:1,2, Mt 5:9,45, Lk 6:35. This is a test of piety which is easily applied.

(1.) Are we conscious that an influence from above has been drawing us away from the corrupting passions and vanities of this world ? This is the work of the Spirit.

(2.) Are we conscious of a desire to yield to that influence, and to be conducted in the path of purity and life? This is an evidence that we are the sons of God.

(3.) Do we offer no resistance; do we follow cheerfully, and obey this pure influence, leading us to mortify pride, subdue passion, destroy lust, humble ambition, and annihilate the love of wealth and of the world? If so, we are his children. God will not lead us astray; and our peace and happiness consist only in yielding ourselves to this influence entirely, and in being willing to be conducted by this unseen hand "beside the still waters of salvation."

(s) "led by the spirit" Gal 5:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit, etc. - No man who has not Divine assistance can either find the way to heaven, or walk in it when found. As Christ, by his sacrificial offering, has opened the kingdom of God to all believers; and, as a mediator, transacts the concerns of their kingdom before the throne; so the Spirit of God is the great agent here below, to enlighten, quicken, strengthen, and guide the true disciples of Christ; and all that are born of this Spirit are led and guided by it; and none can pretend to be the children of God who are not thus guided.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 8:10-17

If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed, secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually live according to…

Read the full comment on Romans 8:10-17 →

Romans 8:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅσοιhosoiAs many asG3745

γὰρgarforG1063

πνεύματιpneumatiby [the] SpiritG4151

θεοῦtheouof GodG2316

ἄγονται,agontaiare led,G71

οὗτοιhoutoitheseG3778

υἱοὶhuioisonsG5207

θεοῦtheouof GodG2316

εἰσιν.eisinare.G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 8:14

Galatians 5:18
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Revelation 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Corinthians 6:18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Galatians 4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

led.
5,9; Ps 143:10; Pr 8:20; Isa 48:16,17; Ga 4:6; 5:16,18,22-25
Eph 5:9
they are.
17; 2Co 6:18; Ga 3:26; Eph 1:5; 1Jo 3:1; Re 21:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Romans 8:15
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.

Read all of Romans 8

Romans 8:14 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque todos los que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios, los tales son hijos de Dios.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Car tous ceux qui sont conduits par l’Esprit de Dieu, ceux-là sont fils de Dieu.
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn so viele durch den Geist Gottes geleitet werden, diese sind Söhne Gottes.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Quicumque enim Spiritu Dei aguntur, ii sunt filii Dei.