Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πνεῦμα
Spirit
G4151
Πνεῦμα
Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
4 of 31
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγείρας
he that raised up
G1453
ἐγείρας
he that raised up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
6 of 31
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
8 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
οἰκεῖ
dwell
G3611
οἰκεῖ
dwell
Strong's:
G3611
Word #:
10 of 31
to occupy a house, i.e., reside (figuratively, inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication, to cohabit
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγείρας
he that raised up
G1453
ἐγείρας
he that raised up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
14 of 31
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
17 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματα
bodies
G4983
σώματα
bodies
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
23 of 31
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
25 of 31
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:14Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.2 Corinthians 4:11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.1 Corinthians 6:14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.Romans 8:2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.John 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.Ephesians 2:5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)Ezekiel 37:14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
The resurrection of the body was scandalous in Greek thought; Plato taught immortality of the soul but considered bodily existence the problem, not the solution. Paul's Jewish background affirmed bodily resurrection (Daniel 12:2; Job 19:26), but Christians went further: resurrection bodies modeled on Christ's glorious body (Philippians 3:21), transformed yet continuous with earthly bodies.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Spirit's work in Christ's resurrection provide certainty for our future resurrection?
- What's the difference between Greek immortality of the soul and Christian resurrection of the body?
- How should the certainty of bodily resurrection affect how we care for and think about our physical bodies now?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you—Paul identifies the Spirit by His greatest work: raising Jesus from death. The same pneuma who generated resurrection life in Christ's crucified body dwells in believers. This is God the Father acting through God the Spirit—clear Trinitarian action. The present tense "dwell" (oikei) indicates permanent residence, not temporary visit.
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (zōopoiēsei kai ta thnēta sōmata humōn)—Zōopoieō means "make alive," the same word used for Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22). Ta thnēta sōmata ("mortal bodies") will be transformed into immortal resurrection bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44; Philippians 3:21). The Spirit who indwells now guarantees future glorification—He is the arrabōn, the down payment ensuring full inheritance (Ephesians 1:14).