Romans 8:8
New International Version
Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

New Living Translation
That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

English Standard Version
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Berean Standard Bible
Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

Berean Literal Bible
And those being in the flesh are not able to please God.

King James Bible
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

New King James Version
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

New American Standard Bible
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

NASB 1995
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

NASB 1977
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Legacy Standard Bible
and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

Amplified Bible
and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

Christian Standard Bible
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

American Standard Version
and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Contemporary English Version
If we follow our desires, we cannot please God.

English Revised Version
and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who are under the control of the corrupt nature can't please God.

Good News Translation
Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.

International Standard Version
Indeed, those who are under the control of human nature cannot please God.

Majority Standard Bible
Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

NET Bible
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

New Heart English Bible
And those who are controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

Webster's Bible Translation
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Weymouth New Testament
And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot please God.

World English Bible
Those who are in the flesh can’t please God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for neither is it able; and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

Berean Literal Bible
And those being in the flesh are not able to please God.

Young's Literal Translation
for neither is it able; and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they being in the flesh cannot please God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they who are in the flesh, cannot please God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

New American Bible
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

New Revised Standard Version
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So then, they who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Those, then, who are in the flesh, can not please God.

Godbey New Testament
But those being in depravity are not able to please God.

Haweis New Testament
They then who are in the flesh, cannot please God.

Mace New Testament
so that they who are in a carnal state, cannot be acceptable to the divine being, as for you,

Weymouth New Testament
And those whose hearts are absorbed in earthly things cannot please God.

Worrell New Testament
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Worsley New Testament
and they who are carnal, cannot please God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living in the Spirit
7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. 9You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.…

Cross References
Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / 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.

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.

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.

John 3:6
Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.

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.

Galatians 6:8
The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

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.

Colossians 3:5-6
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

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.

Matthew 16:23
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

1 Peter 4:2-3
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God. / For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

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

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.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!


Treasury of Scripture

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

they that.

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

John 3:3,5,6
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…

please.

Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 8:29
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

1 Corinthians 7:32
But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

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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.














Those controlled by the flesh
The phrase "controlled by the flesh" refers to individuals who live according to their sinful nature, prioritizing earthly desires over spiritual ones. The Greek word for "flesh" is "sarx," which often denotes the human nature in its fallen state, prone to sin and rebellion against God. In the historical context of the early church, this would have been a significant reminder to both Jewish and Gentile believers of the need to live by the Spirit rather than by the old ways of the world. Theologically, this phrase underscores the inherent conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, a theme that Paul elaborates on throughout his epistles. It serves as a call to believers to examine their lives and ensure they are not dominated by worldly desires.

cannot please God
The inability to "please God" when controlled by the flesh highlights the spiritual impotence of living according to sinful desires. The Greek word for "please" is "areskein," which implies being agreeable or acceptable. In the scriptural context, pleasing God is synonymous with living a life of faith and obedience. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God," reinforcing the idea that a life led by the Spirit, rather than the flesh, is essential for a relationship with God. Historically, this would have been a radical statement for both Jews and Gentiles, as it shifts the focus from external adherence to the law or cultural norms to an internal transformation by the Spirit. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the futility of trying to earn God's favor through human effort alone, emphasizing the necessity of divine grace and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

(8) So then . . .--Rather, and. Neither can it be expected that those who are absorbed in the things of sense should be able to please God.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Those
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

controlled by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] flesh
σαρκὶ (sarki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

cannot
δύνανται (dynantai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

please
ἀρέσαι (aresai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 700: To please, with the idea of willing service rendered to others; hence almost: I serve. Probably from airo; to be agreeable.

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


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