Here, again, all is as clear as a sunbeam. What means the expression, "When we _were_ in the flesh"? Does it--can it mean that we _are_ still in that condition? Clearly not. If I were to say, When I _was_ in London, would any one understand that I am in London still? The thought is absurd. But what does the apostle mean by the expression, "When we were in the flesh"? He simply refers to a thing of the past--to a condition that no longer obtains. Are believers, then, not in the flesh? So Scripture emphatically declares. But does this mean that they are not in the body? Assuredly not. They are in the body as to the fact of their existence, but not in the flesh as to the ground of their standing before God. In chapter viii. we have the most distinct statement of this point.--"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. _But ye are not in the flesh_, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Here we have the statement of a most solemn fact, and the setting forth of a most precious, glorious privilege. "They that are in the flesh _cannot please God_." They may be very moral, very amiable, very religious, very benevolent; but they cannot please God. Their entire position is false. The source whence all the streams flow is corrupt; the root and stem whence all the branches emanate are rotten--hopelessly bad. They cannot produce a single atom of good fruit--fruit that God can accept. "They cannot please God." They must get into an entirely new position; they must have a new life, new motives, new objects--in a word, they must be a new creation. How solemn is all this! Let us weigh it thoroughly, and see if we understand the apostle's words.