Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's declaration that 'the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be' is his most unambiguous statement of the noetic effects of sin — the unregenerate mind is structurally incapable of submission to divine law. The phrase 'carnal mind' (phronēma tēs sarkos) does not mean merely the mind preoccupied with physical desire but the whole orientation of thinking shaped by the power of sin (sarx = the fallen humanity in rebellion against God). The 'cannot please God' conclusion of verse 8 makes the passage foundational for Reformed theology's total depravity and the necessity of regeneration prior to faith — a reading challenged by Arminian and Catholic theologies that locate grace-assisted capacity within the natural will. John 3:6 ('that which is born of the flesh is flesh') provides a Johannine parallel to the same diagnosis.
Other Translations
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:
because the mind of the flesh <FI>is<Fi> enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself,
Because the mind of the flesh is opposite to God; it is not under the law of God, and is not able to be:
Cross References
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous …
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou …
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there …
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed …
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least …
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart …
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but …
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate …