Romans 8:7

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.

a. NLT: For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.

b. NIV: The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

c. YLT: because the mind of the flesh is enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself,

d. Amplified Bible:  the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot,

e. Worrell Translation: 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;

f. Wuest Translation: Because the mind dominated by the sinful nature is hostile to God, for it does not marshall itself under the command of the law of God, neiether is able to.

1. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God…”

a. because [Strong: 1360 dioti dee-ot'-ee; from 1223 and 3754; on the very account that, or inasmuch as:--because (that), for, therefore.]

b. the carnal [Strong: 4561 sarx sarx 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).]  [ 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.]

c. mind [Strong; 5427 phronema fron'-ay-mah; from 5426; (mental) inclination or purpose:--(be, + be carnally, + be spiritually) mind(-ed).] [Thayer: what one has in the mind, the thoughts and purposes.]  

d. enmity [Strong: 2189 echthra ekh'-thrah;  feminine of 2190; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition:--enmity, hatred.] [Zodhiates: hatred, hostility.]  

e. against [Strong: 1519 eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

f. God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). The carnal mind is hostile toward God because it motivates behavior that opposes the kingdom of God. The carnal mind is an enemy of God.

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

b). Ephesians 2:2, 3 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:

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.

c). The carnal mind is a tool of the devil  

2.  “…for it is not subject to the law of God…”

a. for [Strong: 1063 gar, gar; 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. it is…subject [Strong: 5293 hupotasso hoop-ot-as'-so; from 5259 and 5021; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.] [Zodhiates: to subjugate, place in submission.]

c. not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

d. to the law [Strong: 3551 nomos,  nom'-os; from a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.]

e. of God [Strong: 2316  theos theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

3. “…neither indeed can be.”

a. neither [Strong: 3761 oude oo-deh'; from 3756 and 1161; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:--neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.]

b. indeed [Strong: 1063 gar, gar; 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.]

c. can be [Strong: 1410 dunamai doo'-nam-ahee; of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.]

1). The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, it refuses to be submissive, it is an enemy of the Law, it is an enemy of the word of God because it is not subject to the word of God. The point is this: the mind has such an influence over the flesh that if the mind is not under subjection to God’s word, the body won’t be either. If the mind is not under subjection, then neither the mind nor the body will be, it is automatic. If we are thinking in the flesh, we are going to walk in the flesh.