Romans 8:1, 2.) By means of his holy spirit, Jehovah adopts them as sons, calling them to be “joint heirs with Christ.” (Rom. 8:14-17) God’s spirit, coupled with their faith in Christ’s ransom sacrifice, enables them to come off victorious in the struggle that Paul described and thus “have no condemnation.” They are set free “from the law of sin and of death.”

9. What is the meaning of the word “law” as used at Romans 8:2?

⁹ In addition to “the Law,” Paul mentioned “the law of that spirit” and “the law of sin and of death.” (Rom. 8:2) What are these laws? The word “law” here does not refer to certain rules, such as those in the Mosaic Law. One reference work suggests: “The Greek term for law here means an inward principle of action​—either good or evil—​operating with the regularity of a law. The term also designates a standard for a person’s life.”

10. How are we subject to the law of sin and of death?

¹⁰ The apostle Paul wrote: “Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) As descendants of Adam, all of us are subject to the law of sin and of death. Our sinful flesh constantly urges us to do things that are displeasing to God, with only death in view. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul called such acts and traits “the works of the flesh.” Then he added: “Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Gal. 5:19-21) People of this kind are the same as those who walk in accord with the flesh. (Rom. 8:4) Their “inward principle of action” and their ‘standard for life’ are totally fleshly. But are those who commit fornication, engage in idolatry, practice spiritism, or get involved in other gross sins the only ones who walk in accord with the flesh? No, for the works of the flesh also include what some might consider mere personality flaws, such as jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, and envies. Who can say that he has totally freed himself from walking in accord with the flesh?

11, 12. What provision has Jehovah made to help us overcome the law of sin and of death, and what must we do to enjoy God’s favor?

¹¹ How happy we can be that Jehovah has made it possible for us to overcome the law of sin and of death! Jesus said: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” By accepting God’s love and by exercising faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can be freed from the condemnation resulting from our inherited sin. (John 3:16-18) We may, therefore, be inclined to exclaim, as did Paul: “Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”