For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
What does Romans 8:6 mean?
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.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside its immediate passage and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded - Margin, "The minding of the flesh." The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself; there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted to the corrupt passions, Its only tendency is condemnation and despair. Is death - The penalty of transgression; condemnation and eternal ruin; Note, Romans 5:12 . But to be spiritually minded - Margin, "The minding of the Spirit.
Key words
- carnally
-
For to be carnally minded is death,.
- minded
-
For to be carnally minded is death,.
- death
-
For to be carnally minded is death,.
Context in Romans 8
Show chapter context
Romans 8 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as justification and Abraham. Romans is Paul’s fullest sustained exposition of sin, grace, righteousness, faith, Israel, the Spirit, and transformed life in Christ. Read this chapter with the wider themes of justification, grace, and faith in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
Passages on peace with God, peace in the heart, peace in community, and the biblical difference between true peace and false reassurance.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.