Romans 8 · Verse 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.
Romans 8:5, King James Version

Romans 8:5 in other translations

BSBThose who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
WEBFor those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
ASVFor they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
YLTFor 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;
DARBYFor they that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh; and they that are according to Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
BBEFor those who are living in the way of the flesh give their minds to the things of the flesh, but those who go in the way of the Spirit, to the things of the Spirit.
WebsterFor they that are according to the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh: but they that are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

What does Romans 8:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. For they that are after the flesh--that is, under the influence of the fleshly principle. do mind--give their attention to (Php 3:19). the things of the flesh, &c.--Men must be under the predominating influence of one or other of these two principles, and, according as the one or the other has the mastery, will be the complexion of their life, the character of their actions.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. For they that are after the flesh. They that are under the influence of the corrupt and sinful desires of the flesh, Gal 5:19-21. Those who are unrenewed.

Do mind the things of the flesh. They are supremely devoted to the gratification of their corrupt desires.

But they that are after the Spirit. Who are under its influence; who are led by the Spirit.

The things of the Spirit. Those things which the Spirit produces, or which he effects in the mind, Gal 5:22, 23. This verse is for the purpose of illustration, and is designed to show that the tendency of religion is to produce as entire a devotedness to the service of God as men had before rendered to sin; that is, that they would be fully engaged in that to which they had devoted themselves. As the Christian, there- fore, had devoted himself to the service of the Spirit, and had been brought under his influence, it was to be expected that he would make it his great and only object to cherish and cultivate the graces which that Spirit would produce.

(l) "the flesh do mind" Jn 3:6, 1Cor 15:48

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 For they that are after the flesh - And here is the great distinction between Jews and genuine Christians: the former are after the flesh - are under the power of the carnal, rebellious principle; and consequently mind, προνουσιν, relish, the things of the flesh - the things which appertain merely to the present life; having no relish for spiritual and eternal things. But they that are after the Spirit - They who are regenerated, who are born of the Spirit, being redeemed from the influence and law of the carnal mind; these relish the things of the Spirit - they are spiritually minded, and pass through things temporal, so as not to lose the things which are eternal. And this, which in these apostolic times distinguished between the carnal Jew and the spiritual believer in Christ, is the grand mark of distinction between the nominal and the real Christian now. The former is earthly minded, and lives for this world; the latter is spiritually minded, and lives for the world to come.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 8:1-9

Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outward…

Read the full comment on Romans 8:1-9 →

Romans 8:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἱhoiThoseG3588
γὰρgarforG1063
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
σάρκαsarkafleshG4561
ὄντεςontesbeingG1510
τὰtathe [things]G3588
τῆςtēsof theG3588
σαρκὸςsarkosfleshG4561
φρονοῦσινphronousinmindG5426
οἱhoithoseG3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
πνεῦμαpneumaSpiritG4151
τὰtathe [things]G3588
τοῦtouof theG3588
πνεύματος.pneumatosSpirit.G4151

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 8:5

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

  • Galatians 5:19-25

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, …

  • John 3:6

    That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

  • 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. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

  • Romans 8:6-7

    For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

  • Philippians 3:18-19

    (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

  • Romans 8:9

    But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

  • Mark 8:33

    But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

  • Romans 8:12-14

    Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:3

    For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  • Ephesians 5:9

    (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
For they.
12,13; Joh 3:6; 1Co 15:48; 2Co 10:3; 2Pe 2:10
mind.
6,7; Mr 8:33; 1Co 2:14; Php 3:18,19
of the Spirit.
9,14; 1Co 2:14; Ga 5:22-25; Eph 5:9; Col 3:1-3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 8:4

    That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

  • 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.

  • Romans 8:6

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

Read all of Romans 8

Romans 8:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque los que viven conforme á la carne, de las cosas que son de la carne se ocupan; mas los que conforme al espíritu, de las cosas del espíritu.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car ceux qui sont selon la chair ont leurs pensées aux choses de la chair; mais ceux qui sont selon l’Esprit, aux choses de l’Esprit;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn die, welche nach dem Fleische sind, sinnen auf das, was des Fleisches ist; die aber, welche nach dem Geiste sind, auf das, was des Geistes ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui enim secundum carnem sunt, quæ carnis sunt, sapiunt: qui vero secundum spiritum sunt, quæ sunt spiritus, sentiunt.