Romans 8:7
What does Romans 8:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 8:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 8:7 means
The fleshly mindset is not morally neutral; it is active hostility toward God. Such a mind refuses God’s authority and cannot submit to his law, not merely because it will not, but because in its fallen condition it cannot. This teaches the gravity of sin’s inward bent and the futility of self-reform apart from grace. The problem is deeper than behavior; it is a heart-level opposition to God’s rule. Only the Spirit can overcome this enmity by granting new life and new affections. Recognizing this humbles us and directs us away from self-reliance to God’s power in Christ, the only source of genuine transformation and obedience.
Romans 8:7 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 · 2000because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because the mind of the flesh is opposite to God; it is not under the law of God, and is not able to be:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because the mind of the flesh <FI>is<Fi> enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God. For it is not subject to the law of God: neither can it be.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Because the mind of the flesh is enmity againstGod: for it is not subject to the law ofGod; for neither indeed can it be:
Context
Paul has stated the outcomes (life or death) of the two mindsets; now he explains the spiritual diagnosis behind them. Verse 7 exposes the flesh’s deep antagonism toward God’s law and its inability to submit. This sharp analysis leads directly to verse 8’s conclusion: those in the flesh cannot please God. The bleak picture prepares for the hopeful turn in verse 9, where Paul assures believers that they are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 7:7
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet:
- Romans 1:28
And even as they refused to have God intheirknowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
- James 4:4
Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God.
- Romans 5:10
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;
- 2 Timothy 3:4
traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
- Romans 1:30
backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Sermon ideas from Romans 8:7
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Romans 8:7 teaches us about justification
What Romans 8:7 teaches us about indwelling spirit
What Romans 8:7 teaches us about adoption
What Romans 8:7 teaches us about final perseverance
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