Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Study Note
Study Note
The diagnosis of the law's failure — 'what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do, God has done by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh' — identifies the problem as the law's good demands encountering the flesh's incapacity, not the law's inadequacy. The phrase 'in the likeness of sinful flesh' (en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias) steers between docetism (Christ only appeared human) and the implication that Christ had sinful flesh: genuine incarnation without personal sin. The condemnation of sin 'in the flesh' means that sin's power was broken where it operated — in the realm of human embodied existence — rather than by bypassing it. The verse grounds the Incarnation not in abstract divine generosity but in the specific theological need created by the law-flesh impasse.
Other Translations
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh,
For what the law was not able to do because it was feeble through the flesh, God, sending his Son in the image of the evil flesh, and as an offering for sin, gave his decision against sin in the flesh:
Cross References
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the …
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might …
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that …
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the …
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law …
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth …
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our …
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.