So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
What does Romans 8:8 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 Romans 8:7-11 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Romans 8:8
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.
Key words
- flesh
-
They that are in the flesh are the same who are said to be after it, Romans 8:5 , and are there described.
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.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Passages on the nature of sin, its consequences, God's judgment, repentance, and the way of forgiveness through Christ.