In his characteristic way Paul expresses his confidence in his readers. But he then qualifies his assertion by adding the condition upon which his statement concerning them necessarily depends.

That is, you are spiritually-minded and under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit.

The old life in the flesh ceases only as the new life in the Spirit begins. The ruling power of the flesh can be expelled from the life only when the Spirit is invited to come and exercise full control. When the Spirit really dwells within, the life after the flesh has ended.

 This verse is an invitation to self-examination. We are spiritually-minded and live in the Spirit “if so be that” the Spirit of God dwells in us. We may know whether the Spirit dwells in us by the presence or absence of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) in our lives.

Absence of the fruit is evidence that we are yet living in the flesh.

 This indicates the continuing and permanent presence of the Spirit, not just occasional raptures of enthusiasm and zeal. Paul elsewhere represents the Holy Spirit as dwelling in the hearts of Christians (see 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19). The expression “in you” denotes the closeness of the personal connection between the believer and the Spirit. It implies the complete submission of the Christian’s will to the will of God.

 Compare the terms “Spirit of God,” “Spirit of Christ.” The Holy Spirit is elsewhere called the “Spirit of Christ” (1 Peter 1:11; cf. 2 Peter 1:21), “Spirit of his Son” (Gal. 4:6), and “Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:19). For the relation of the Holy Spirit to Christ see John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7, 13, 14.

 Or, “does not belong to him.” It is not enough to be intellectually convinced of the truth of Christianity. The Spirit of Christ must dwell within. A profession of Christianity does not in itself make a man a true follower of Christ. We may know that we really belong to Him, if He has given us of His Spirit (1 John 4:13). When the daily life reveals love, joy, peace, and the other graces of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), there is evidence of true Christianity. But if, on the contrary, our lives are marred with unkindness, selfishness, and vanity, then we are none of His.

 This verse is fraught with serious warning. A professed Christian may appear to subscribe to all the doctrines and conform to all the practices of the church. He may be active in the cause of God. He may be willing to give away all his goods to feed the poor or even to give up his own body to be burned, but if the Spirit does not dwell in him, and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) is not evident in his life, he is none of His (1 Cor. 13:3). He who is proud, vain, frivolous, worldly-minded, avaricious, unkind, censorious, holds communion, not with the Spirit of Christ, but with another spirit (5T 225).