Audio commentary on this verse

Note 20 at Rom. 8:9: Paul makes a clear distinction between being "in" the flesh and "after" the flesh and "in" the Spirit and "after" the Spirit. A born-again person (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92) cannot be "in" the flesh but they can walk (see note 10 at Rom. 8:4, p. 794) "after" the flesh. A lost person cannot be "in" the Spirit although he seeks to walk "after" the ways of the Spirit.

The word that was translated "in" here is the Greek word "en" and it "denotes a (fixed) position (in place, time or state)." In contrast, the word that was translated "after" in verses 1,4,5,12, and 13 denotes "according to anything as a standard; agreeable to" (Thayer's). Therefore, when Paul speaks of being "in" the flesh or Spirit, he is referring to a fixed position or state. When he speaks of being "after" the flesh or Spirit, he is referring to whatever we are using as a standard of conduct or whatever we are agreeing to at any given time.

A Christian can agree to or conduct his actions according to some standard other than God's and still keep his position in Christ (see note 1 at Rom. 6:20, p. 783). So, a Christian can walk "after" the flesh but he is never considered "in" the flesh.

Note 21 at Rom. 8:9: According to Jesus' statement in John 14:17, no one can receive the Holy Spirit unless he has first received Jesus as his Savior (see note 27 at Jn. 14:17, p. 491). Therefore, anyone who has the Spirit of God dwelling in him is a born-again person (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 92) and is not in the flesh (see note 20 at this verse, above).

Note 22 at Rom. 8:9: This passage makes an emphatic statement that every believer receives the Spirit of Christ at salvation. The supposition that the "Spirit of Christ" and the "Spirit of God" are synonymous terms has led many to believe that every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at salvation. However, this seems to be in contradiction to the examples given in the book of Acts (see note 6 at Acts 2:4, p. 576; note 33 at Acts 8:16, p. 798; note 1 at Acts 19:1, p. 686).

It is very likely that the phrase "Spirit of Christ" refers to the born-again spirit that every believer receives at salvation. The phrase "Spirit of God" possibly refers to the Holy Spirit that only indwells the believer if he receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see note 6 at Acts 2:4, p. 576).