Romans 8:7
New International Version
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

New Living Translation
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.

English Standard Version
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Berean Standard Bible
because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Berean Literal Bible
because the mind of the flesh is hostility toward God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, for not even can it be.

King James Bible
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

New King James Version
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

New American Standard Bible
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

NASB 1995
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

NASB 1977
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so;

Legacy Standard Bible
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

Amplified Bible
the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot,

Christian Standard Bible
The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.

American Standard Version
because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:

Contemporary English Version
Our desires fight against God, because they do not and cannot obey God's laws.

English Revised Version
because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is so because the corrupt nature has a hostile attitude toward God. It refuses to place itself under the authority of God's standards because it can't.

Good News Translation
And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it.

International Standard Version
That is why the mind that focuses on human nature is hostile toward God. It refuses to submit to the authority of God's Law because it is powerless to do so.

Majority Standard Bible
because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

NET Bible
because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so.

New Heart English Bible
because the mind set on the flesh is hostile towards God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Webster's Bible Translation
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Weymouth New Testament
Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such a mind does not submit to God's Law, and indeed cannot do so.

World English Bible
because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
because the mind of the flesh [is] enmity to God, for to the Law of God it does not subject itself,

Berean Literal Bible
because the mind of the flesh is hostility toward God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, for not even can it be.

Young's Literal Translation
because the mind of the flesh is enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself,

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore the thought of the flesh enmity to God: for it is not subject to the law of God, for it cannot be.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the wisdom of the flesh is inimical to God. For it is not subject to the law of God, nor can it be.

New American Bible
For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it;

New Revised Standard Version
For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, because it cannot be.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because the mind of the flesh is hatred toward God, for it is not subject to the law of God because it cannot be.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore the mind of depravity is enmity toward God: for it is not subordinated to the law of God, for it is not able so to be.

Haweis New Testament
Because the propensity of the flesh is inimical against God: for it is not in subjection to the law of God, neither indeed can it be.

Mace New Testament
because a sensual disposition of mind is averse to God: for it is not subject to the divine law, nor indeed can it be.

Weymouth New Testament
Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such a mind does not submit to God's Law, and indeed cannot do so.

Worrell New Testament
because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can it be;

Worsley New Testament
because the carnal mind is an enemy to God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living in the Spirit
6The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.…

Cross References
James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Colossians 1:21
Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds.

Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Philippians 3:18-19
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. / Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 21:10
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Psalm 14:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. / The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.


Treasury of Scripture

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

the carnal mind.

Romans 1:28,30
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; …

Romans 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

for it.

Romans 8:4
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 7:7-14,22
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet…

neither.

Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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Able Carnal Earthly Enmity Flesh God's Hostile Indeed Itself Law Mind Opposite Sinful State Subject Submit Towards
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Able Carnal Earthly Enmity Flesh God's Hostile Indeed Itself Law Mind Opposite Sinful State Subject Submit Towards
Romans 8
1. Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation.
5. What harm comes of the flesh;
13. and what good of the Spirit.
19. The glorious deliverance the creation longs for,
29. was beforehand decreed from God.
38. Nothing can sever us from his love.














the mind of the flesh
The phrase "the mind of the flesh" refers to the human mindset that is dominated by sinful nature. In Greek, the word for "mind" is "phronema," which implies a way of thinking or a mindset. "Flesh" in Greek is "sarx," often used by Paul to denote the sinful nature of humanity apart from God. This mindset is self-centered and focused on worldly desires, contrasting with the spiritual mindset that seeks to align with God's will. Historically, this reflects the struggle between living according to human desires versus living by the Spirit, a central theme in Pauline theology.

is hostile to God
The term "hostile" in Greek is "echthra," meaning enmity or opposition. This indicates an active resistance or opposition to God and His ways. Theologically, this hostility is not just a passive indifference but an active rebellion against God's authority and righteousness. This enmity is rooted in the fall of humanity, as seen in Genesis, where sin entered the world, creating a separation between God and man. The historical context of Roman society, with its pagan practices, further illustrates the natural human tendency to resist divine authority.

It does not submit to God’s law
The Greek word for "submit" is "hypotasso," meaning to arrange under or to be subject to. This phrase highlights the inability of the fleshly mind to willingly place itself under God's law. God's law, given through Moses and fulfilled in Christ, represents His holy and righteous standards. The fleshly mind, being self-seeking, cannot align itself with these divine standards. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of humanity's need for redemption and transformation through Christ, as the law alone cannot bring about righteousness.

nor can it do so
This phrase emphasizes the incapacity of the fleshly mind to align with God's law. The Greek word "dynamai" is used here, meaning to be able or to have power. The fleshly mind lacks the power or ability to submit to God's law due to its inherent sinful nature. This underscores the necessity of divine intervention through the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live according to God's will. Theologically, this points to the doctrine of total depravity, which asserts that apart from God's grace, humans are incapable of choosing God or doing good.

(7) The carnal mind is death--because it implies enmity with God, and enmity with God is death.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
because
διότι (dioti)
Conjunction
Strong's 1360: On this account, because, for. From dia and hoti; on the very account that, or inasmuch as.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mind
φρόνημα (phronēma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5427: Thought, purpose, aspirations. From phroneo; inclination or purpose.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

flesh
σαρκὸς (sarkos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

[is] hostile
ἔχθρα (echthra)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2189: Enmity, hostility, alienation. Feminine of echthros; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

God:
Θεόν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

It does not submit
ὑποτάσσεται (hypotassetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5293: From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey.

to
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

Law,
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

nor
οὐδὲ (oude)
Adverb
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

can it [do so].
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.


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NT Letters: Romans 8:7 Because the mind of the flesh (Rom. Ro)
Romans 8:6
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