1 4 Ezra and Romans 8:1–13: The Liberating Power of Christ and the Spirit Kyle Wells Romans 8:1–13 begins a chapter that is arguably one of the high water marks in Paul’s letters. The feeling that we have reached such heights is due in no small part to the depths from which we have just climbed in 7:7–25. As was pointed out in the previous chapter in this volume, 8:1–13 is part of a unit that runs from 7:5 until at least 8:13 and is divided into two sections (7:7–25 and 8:1–13). Rom 7:5 and 8:6 provide the respective thesis statements for each section. Here Paul juxtaposes two modes of human existence: existence in the Flesh, which leads to death, versus existence in the Spirit, which leads to eternal life. This chapter focuses on the second of those modes—life in the Spirit as seen in Rom 8:1–13. Having described the bondage of humanity under the power of sin in 7:7–25, Paul issues an emancipation proclamation: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (8:1–2). From there Paul goes on to describe the Christian life as one that has been liberated from both sin and death (8:3–11). But what, if anything, is unique about Paul’s outlook on humanity’s liberation from sin? And how do Christ and the Spirit contribute to the uniqueness of his outlook? In order to sharpen our answer to these questions we will look at Rom 8:1–13 alongside another ancient Jewish text that considers the need for humans to be released from bondage to sin—4 Ezra. 4 Ezra—“The heart of the inhabitants of the world shall be changed”