Romans 8:4 : That the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Commentators are not agreed as to whether the Greek word translated "ordinance" should be translated ordinance, requirement, righteousness, or justification. They are, therefore, not agreed as to what is fulfilled in us, nor as to how it is done. Neither are they agreed as to whether it is fulfilled in us or by us. Macknight thinks the law here referred to is the gospel. It seems to me that the context--the trend of Paul's argument--must decide the whole matter. Of course, due regard must be had to the truths set forth in other parts of the Scriptures. Let us notice the trend of Paul's reasoning. Tinder the law, the righteousness of the law could be fulfilled only by perfect obedience. In such obedience there would have been no sin--God would have had nothing against one who so lived. Now, it is the mission of the gospel to take sinners and make them righteous. When a person's sins are forgiven he is freed from all guilt, and is then as righteous as if he had never sinned. There is then no guilt attached to him--God has nothing against him. And so the thing that the law required, but could not accomplish, is fulfilled in those who obey the gospel. If this is not a correct exegesis of the first part of verse 4, it is certainly in harmony with Paul's line of reasoning and also with the general teaching of the Scriptures. Paul certainly did not mean that we were delivered from sin by the gospel that we might obey the ordinance of the law of Moses, but that the gospel, in freeing us from sin and making us righteous, accomplished in us exactly what the law was unable to accomplish, but what it would have accomplished in us had there been no transgression of it. "Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There is no "if" about this. The clause is descriptive of the characters in whom the righteousness of the law is fulfilled. "Walk" refers to manner of life. As flesh and spirit are here contrasted, it seems certain that Paul meant the human spirit, and not the Holy Spirit. To walk according to the flesh is to lead an animal life. Such a one may be an immoral wretch, or he may be a respected citizen. No matter what his character is, he is one who lives a worldly life. He lives as if this life were all that is worthwhile. To walk according to the spirit is to keep the flesh under control so as to promote spiritual growth in the service of God.