Devine Scripture

Romans 8:3

What does Romans 8:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:3 means

God did what the law could not: address sin’s guilt and power at their root. The law is holy, but our flesh—fallen human nature—made true obedience impossible. So God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh; fully human, yet without sin, he came to deal with sin itself. In his sacrificial death (“for sin”), God passed sentence on sin in the flesh of Christ, condemning it so that sin’s claim on us might be nullified. The cross is thus God’s just judgment on sin and his merciful provision for sinners. Christ’s incarnation and atonement secure what the best law-keeping never could: real deliverance from sin’s tyranny and its condemnation.

Romans 8:3 in context

Romans 8 — No Condemnation, No Separation

The high-water mark of Paul's letters. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death; the same Spirit cries 'Abba, Father' in our hearts and assures us we are children and heirs. Suffering is real, but the glory ahead is incomparably greater. All things work together for good to those who love God. And nothing — neither death nor life nor angels nor things present nor things to come — shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Justification
  • Indwelling Spirit
  • Adoption
  • Final perseverance

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For what the law was not able to do because it was feeble through the flesh, God, sending his Son in the image of the evil flesh, and as an offering for sin, gave his decision against sin in the flesh:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,God, having sent his own Son, in likeness of flesh of sin, and for sin, has condemned sin in the flesh,

Context

This verse answers how the Spirit’s liberating “law” operates. The law could diagnose but not cure; fleshly weakness sabotaged it. Therefore God acted in history by sending his Son. Verse 3 centers on the cross as the locus where sin was condemned. This prepares for verse 4, which moves from what God accomplished in Christ (“for us”) to what God accomplishes in us by the Spirit: the righteous requirement of the law fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit.

v.2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

v.3This passage

v.4that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 10:12

    but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

  • Galatians 4:4

    but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

  • Hebrews 2:17

    Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

  • Romans 9:3

    For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren’s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

  • Romans 6:6

    knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;

  • Hebrews 7:18

    For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:3

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Romans 8:3 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:3 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:3 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:3 teaches us about final perseverance

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