BibleTools
Romans 8:8
Compare all
6 For ato be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  
7 Because athe carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, bnor indeed can be.  
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of aHim who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, bHe who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies1 through His Spirit who dwells in you.  

Sonship Through the Spirit

12 aTherefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  
13 For aif you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you bput to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  
14 For aas many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  
15 For ayou did not receive the spirit of bondage again bto fear, but you received the cSpirit of adoption by whom we cry out, d“Abba, Father.”  
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Romans 8:7   Romans 8:9 >>


Romans 8:8

So then - It follows; it leads to this conclusion.

They that are in the flesh - They who are unrenewed sinners; who are following supremely the desires of the flesh; Romans 7:18. Those are meant here who follow fleshly appetites and desires, and who are not led by the Spirit of God.

Cannot please God - That is, while they are thus in the flesh; while they thus pursue the desires of their corrupt nature, they cannot please God. But this affirms nothing respecting their ability to turn from this course, and to pursue a different mode of life. That is a different question. A child may be obstinate, proud, and disobedient; and while in this state, it may be affirmed of him that he cannot please his parent. But whether he might not cease to be obstinate, and become obedient, is a very different inquiry; and the two subjects should never be be confounded. It follows from this,

(1)That those who are unrenewed are totally depraved, since in this state they cannot please God.

(2)That none of their actions while in this state can be acceptable to him, since he is pleased only with those who are spiritually minded.

(3)That those who are in this state should turn from it without delay; as it is desirable that every man should please God.

(4)That if the sinner does not turn from his course, he will be ruined.

With his present character he can never please him; neither in health nor sickness; neither in life nor death; neither on earth nor in hell. He is engaged in hostility against God; and if he does not himself forsake it, it will be endless, and involve his soul in all the evils of a personal, and direct, and eternal warfare with the Lord Almighty.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Romans 8:8:

Romans 7:5
Galatians 5:16

 

<< Romans 8:7   Romans 8:9 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,201+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page