Romans 8 · Verse 6

Romans 8:6

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

Romans 8:6, King James Version

Romans 8:6 in other translations

BSB	The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
WEB	For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
ASV	For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
YLT	for the mind of the flesh is death, and the mind of the Spirit--life and peace;
DARBY	For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace.
BBE	For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
Webster	For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace:

What does Romans 8:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

6. For--a mere particle of transition here [Tholuck], like "but" or "now." to be carnally minded--literally, "the mind" or "minding of the flesh" (Margin); that is, the pursuit of fleshly ends. is death--not only "ends in" [Alford, &c.], but even now "is"; carrying death into its bosom, so that such are "dead while they live" (1Ti 5:6; Ep 2:1, 5) [Philippi]. but to be spiritually minded--"the mind" or "minding of the spirit"; that is, the pursuit of spiritual objects. is life and peace--not "life" only, in contrast with the "death" that is in the other pursuit, but "peace"; it is the very element of the soul's deepest repose and true bliss.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 6. For to be carnally minded. Margin, "The minding of the flesh." The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh. or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself; there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted to the corrupt passions. Its only tendency is condemnation and despair.

Is death. The penalty of transgression; condemnation and eternal ruin. Rom 5:12.

But to be spiritually minded. Margin, "The minding of the Spirit." That is, making it the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to his influence. To be spiritually minded is to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow his leadings.

Is life. This is opposed to death in Rom 8:6. It tends to life, and is in fact real life. For, to possess and cultivate the graces of the Spirit, to be led where he would guide us, is the design of our existence, and is the only path of happiness.

And peace. Rom 6:1.

(1) "For to be carnally minded", or "the minding of the flesh" (n) "but to be" Gall 6:8 (2) "spiritually minded", or "the minding of the spirit"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 6 For to be carnally minded is death - To live under the influence of the carnal mind is to live in the state of condemnation, and consequently liable to death eternal: whereas, on the contrary, he who is spiritually minded has the life and peace of God in his soul, and is in full prospect of life eternal.

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 8:6 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.

τὸtoTheG3588

γὰρgarforG1063

φρόνημαphronēmamindG5427

τῆςtēsof theG3588

σαρκὸςsarkosfleshG4561

θάνατος,thanatos[is] death,G2288

τὸtotheG3588

δὲdebutG1161

φρόνημαphronēmamindG5427

τοῦtouof theG3588

πνεύματοςpneumatosSpiritG4151

ζωὴzōēlifeG2222

καὶkaiandG2532

εἰρήνη.eirēnēpeace.G1515

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

Cross references for Romans 8:6

Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
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.
Romans 8:13
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.
Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 1:14-15
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Romans 6:21
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

to be carnally minded. Gr. the minding of the flesh. So.
7,13; 6:21,23; 7:5,11; 13:14; Ga 6:8; Jas 1:14,15
to be spiritually minded. Gr. the minding of the Spirit.
5:1,10; 14:17; Joh 14:6,27; 17:5; Ga 5:22

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

Context

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.
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.

Read all of Romans 8

Romans 8:6 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque la intención de la carne es muerte; mas la intención del espíritu, vida y paz:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	car la pensée de la chair est la mort; mais la pensée de l’Esprit, vie et paix;
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn die Gesinnung des Fleisches ist der Tod, die Gesinnung des Geistes aber Leben und Frieden;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Nam prudentia carnis, mors est: prudentia autem spiritus, vita et pax: