Romans 8:6

Romans 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

a. NLT: So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

b. NIV: The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

c. YLT: for the mind of the flesh is death, and the mind of the Spirit -- life and peace;

d. Amplified Bible:  Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever];

e. Worrell Translation: For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.

1. “For to be carnally minded is death…”

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. to be…minded [5427 * phronema][Thayer: what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes.] [Strong: from 5426; (mental) inclination or purpose:--(be, + be carnally, + be spiritually) mind(-ed).]

c. carnally [4561 * sarx][D.C. note: Same Greek word as “flesh” in verse 5][ 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.]

d. is death [2288 * thanatos][Thayer: in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell.]

1). Death is separation. There are three deaths mentioned in Scripture.

a). Physical death, the spirit of man leaves the body:

(1) James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

b). Spiritual death, separation of the spirit of man from God:

(1) Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

c). The Second Death is eternal separation from God:

(1) Revelation 20:11-15  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

2). Spiritual death manifests itself in wicked works through a wicked thought life.

a). Ephesians 2:2, 3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

b). Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

3). In some Bibles, the margin in Romans 8:6 reads: “the minding of the flesh”. The minding of the flesh will lead to death even for the Christian.

a). 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

4). It is understandable for non-believers to be carnally minded, but we as believers should not be so. I get carnal minded sometimes, it is a constant battle, but it is a winnable battle through the Word and the power of God, it is part of our inheritance in Christ.

2. “…but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

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

b. to be…minded [5427 * phronema][Thayer: what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes.] [Strong: from 5426; (mental) inclination or purpose:--(be, + be carnally, + be spiritually) mind(-ed).]

c. spiritually [4151 * pneuma][Thayer: 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. life [2222* zoe] [Strong: from 2198; life (literally or figuratively):--life(-time).]

e. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. peace [1515 * Eirene] [Strong: probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.]

1). The life and peace that is part of our inheritance that is God’s will for us to have a relationship with Jesus where we are spiritually minded.

a). Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

b). Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.