Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Verse 5. For they that are after the flesh. They that are under the influence of the corrupt and sinful desires of the flesh, . Those who are unrenewed. Do mind the things of the flesh. They are supremely devoted to the gratification of their corrupt desires. But they that are after the Spirit. Who are under its influence; who are led by the Spirit. The things of the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh,.... By flesh is meant the corruption of nature; and they may be said to be "after" it, not all that have flesh in them, for the best of saints have it in them; regenerating grace does not remove it from them; there is a difference between being in and after the flesh, and flesh being in us; but...
5. For they who are after the flesh, etc. He introduces this difference between the flesh and the Spirit, not only to confirm, by an argument derived from what is of an opposite character, what he has before mentioned, — that the grace of Christ belongs to none but to those who, having been regenerated by the Spirit, strive after purity; but also to relieve...