Romans 7:6

7:6 But now we have been released from the law, because we have died 1  to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code. 2 

Romans 8:23

8:23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, 3  groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, 4  the redemption of our bodies. 5 

Romans 8:26

8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, 6  but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

Romans 9:17

9:17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh: 7  “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 8 

1 tn Grk “having died.” The participle ἀποθανόντες (apoqanonte") has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.

2 tn Grk “in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”

3 tn Or “who have the Spirit as firstfruits.” The genitive πνεύματος (pneumatos) can be understood here as possessive (“the firstfruits belonging to the Spirit”) although it is much more likely that this is a genitive of apposition (“the firstfruits, namely, the Spirit”); cf. TEV, NLT.

4 tn See the note on “adoption” in v. 15.

5 tn Grk “body.”

6 tn Or “for we do not know what we ought to pray for.”

7 sn Paul uses a typical rabbinic formula here in which the OT scriptures are figuratively portrayed as speaking to Pharaoh. What he means is that the scripture he cites refers (or can be applied) to Pharaoh.

8 sn A quotation from Exod 9:16.