St. Paul began his epistle to the Romans by talking about the sinful state of both Gentiles and Jews; and that Christ came to save both. Then St. Paul discussed the relationship between sin and death and how, through Adam, death came into the world. Because of what Adam chose to do, all human beings became mortal, and being mortal, all human beings fell into sin. St. Paul then presented Christ as the solution to this problem in overcoming death and overcoming sin for our salvation.
In this chapter St. Paul contrasts “flesh” and “the spirit.” He is talking about two principles that are at work inside of us, assuming we have been baptized/chrismated. Thus, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, who’s working with us to transform us, free us from sin, bring about repentance, and bring us closer to Christ. And then we also have this sinful flesh that is trying to draw us back to the world. We live our lives according to one or the other of these principles. We have to choose which we’re going to follow.