Romans 8:8

Romans 8:8

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

a. NLT: That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

b. NIV: Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

c. YLT: for neither is it able; and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.

d. Amplified Bible: nd those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

e. Worrell Translation: and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1. “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

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

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

c. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. the flesh [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.]

e. cannot [3756 * 3756 * ou, also (before a vowel) ouk, and (before an aspirate) ouch] [Strong: 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.

f. cannot [1410 * dunamai] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

g. please [700 * aresko] [Strong: probably from 142 (through the idea of exciting emotion); to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so):--please.]

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

1). Those who are walking in the flesh cannot please God because they are not walking in faith.

a). Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2). Those who present their bodies in obedience to God are those who are pleasing God, not those who are walking in the flesh.

a). Romans 12:1[NIV] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.