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

◄ Romans 8:7 ►

Parallel Verses

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

Darby Bible Translation
Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed 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,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

8:1-9 Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice, and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for our souls? Those that live in pleasure are dead, 1Ti 5:6. A sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal man may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not, ver. 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God—The desire and pursuit of carnal ends is a state of enmity to God, wholly incompatible with true life and peace in the soul.

for it is not subject—"doth not submit itself."

to the law of God, neither indeed can be—In such a state of mind there neither is nor can be the least subjection to the law of God. Many things may be done which the law requires, but nothing either is or can be done because God's law requires it, or purely to please God.