6/11/19 

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

“In Christ Jesus”.  The “in” in this verse is the Greek preposition “en”.  This preposition is locative which means that it indicates location such as place, time, or an emotion such as “in love”.

But it also, and very frequently, means “in this sphere”, which is the meaning in Romans 8:1 and in places it is used to translate “in Christ”, “in the Spirit”, or “in God’s love”.

The meaning is the sphere of all that Christ Jesus has done for us.  In His holy life He accomplished a perfect obedience to the holy will of God.  For those “in Christ Jesus” that holiness is ours by imputation.  In His vicarious death all the debts of the elect’s sins are paid and we are given a “no bill”.

In His resurrection as the “first fruits” our resurrection is guaranteed.  In His reign at the Father’s right hand He subdues all our enemies, provides all our needs, and appears on the Judgment Seat to pronounce our welcome to His Kingdom.  That is as I understand it, what it means to be “in the sphere” of what Christ Jesus is and has done.