Romans 8:5

Romans 8:5

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

a. NLT: Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.

b. NIV: Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

c. YLT: For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit;

d. Amplified Bible: For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].

e. Worrell Translation: For those who are according to the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit

1. “For they that are after the flesh…”

a. for [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. they that are [5607 * on, including the feminine ousa] [Strong: and the neuter on present participle of 1510; being:--be, come, have.]

c. after [2596 * kata][Zodhiates: “…after the flesh…after the Spirit…” meaning conformable to the will of the flesh or Spirit.]

1). Albert Barnes New Testament Commentary:  They that are under the influence of the corrupt and sinful desires of the flesh.

d. flesh [4561 * sarx] [Thayer: flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts, the sensuous nature of man, "the animal nature", the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin, the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.]

2. “…do mind the things of the flesh…”

a. do mind [5426 * phroneo] [Thayer: to feel, to think, to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious.] [Strong: from 5424; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):--set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.]

1). Those who walk after the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. They are carnally minded. They are meat heads! There are many things in our popular culture we should not set our minds on, we should not be in agreement with them, cherish them, seek or strive for them. These things should be clear to a Bible believing Christian.

a). 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

b. the things [3588 * ho] [Strong:   including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. of the flesh [4561 * sarx] [Strong: probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

3.  “…but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”

a. but [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. after [2596 * kata][Zodhiates: “…after the flesh…after the Spirit…” meaning conformable to the will of the flesh or Spirit.] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

c. the Spirit [4151 * pneuma] [Thayer: the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son, the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated.] [Strong: from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.]

d. the things [3588 * ho] [Strong:   including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

e. of the Spirit [4151 * pneuma] See “Spirit” above.

1). We as believers are to set our minds on the things of the Spirit.

a). Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

(1) affection [5426 * phroneo] [Thayer: to feel, to think, to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for, to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious.]

b). We are to set our minds on the things of God, in particular everything in our inheritance.

1). In some cases in Romans 8 when the Scripture is referring to the capital “S” Spirit, it is not referring to the Holy Ghost but rather the human spirit. The translators capitalized the first letter because they believed it was referring to the Holy Ghost, but when I look at this verse and other verses in this chapter, I can’t help but see he is referring to the contrasts in man. Man is three parts, spirit, soul and body. He is a spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body, (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Romans 8:10 is another one of those cases, where he is contrasting between those parts.

a). Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

b). If Christ is in me, my body is dead because of sin but my spirit is alive because of His righteousness in me.

2). There are other instances where the Scripture is no doubt referring to the Holy Ghost.

a). Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

b). Romans 8:13, 14 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

3). There is also an example where the Spirit of God is mentioned contrasted with our spirit.

a). Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:   

4). Some may look at this as my own “private interpretation”, but I don’t think so. Either way it works. Don’t be a meathead!