Romans 8:13

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

εἰ if G1487
εἰ if
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 16
if, whether, that, etc
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κατὰ after G2596
κατὰ after
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 3 of 16
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
σάρκα the flesh G4561
σάρκα the flesh
Strong's: G4561
Word #: 4 of 16
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ζήσεσθε ye live G2198
ζήσεσθε ye live
Strong's: G2198
Word #: 5 of 16
to live (literally or figuratively)
μέλλετε ye shall G3195
μέλλετε ye shall
Strong's: G3195
Word #: 6 of 16
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἀποθνῄσκειν· die G599
ἀποθνῄσκειν· die
Strong's: G599
Word #: 7 of 16
to die off (literally or figuratively)
εἰ if G1487
εἰ if
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 8 of 16
if, whether, that, etc
δὲ but G1161
δὲ but
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 9 of 16
but, and, etc
πνεύματι through the Spirit G4151
πνεύματι through the Spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 10 of 16
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
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πράξεις the deeds G4234
πράξεις the deeds
Strong's: G4234
Word #: 12 of 16
practice, i.e., (concretely) an act; by extension, a function
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματος of the body G4983
σώματος of the body
Strong's: G4983
Word #: 14 of 16
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
θανατοῦτε do mortify G2289
θανατοῦτε do mortify
Strong's: G2289
Word #: 15 of 16
to kill
ζήσεσθε ye live G2198
ζήσεσθε ye live
Strong's: G2198
Word #: 16 of 16
to live (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (ei kata sarka zēte, mellete apothnēskein)—The present tense "live" (zēte) indicates habitual pattern, not occasional failure. The future "shall die" (mellete apothnēskein) points to eternal death, the second death (Revelation 20:14). Paul warns professing believers: flesh-dominated life proves unregenerate state. This isn't losing salvation but revealing its absence.

But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (ei de pneumati tas praxeis tou sōmatos thanatoute, zēsesthe)—Thanatoō means "put to death, mortify"—ongoing warfare, not one-time victory. Note the agency: pneumati ("by the Spirit")—sanctification is Spirit-empowered, not self-achieved. "Deeds of the body" (praxeis tou sōmatos) are sinful actions flowing from unredeemed nature. Mortification is daily (Luke 9:23), lifelong (Philippians 3:12-14), and Spirit-dependent. Zēsesthe ("you shall live") is future eternal life and present abundant life (John 10:10).

Historical Context

This verse became central in Puritan theology of mortification (John Owen's classic The Mortification of Sin). Owen emphasized that only the Spirit can mortify sin; self-effort produces either despair or self-righteousness. The medieval Catholic practice of physical mortification (flagellation, extreme fasting) misunderstood Paul—the issue is putting sin to death, not punishing the body.

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