Romans 8:7 Meaning: Why the Flesh Cannot Submit to God's Law
because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
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:
because the mind of the flesh is enmity to God, for to the law of God it doth not subject itself,
Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed can it be:
Meaning in one sentence
Paul explains why the unregenerate mind is hostile to God and cannot submit to His law, showing our need for the Spirit.
Context
Paul has just described the struggle every believer knows: the war between the old nature and the new. In chapter 7 he cried out, “Who will deliver me?” Now in chapter 8 he shows the answer is Jesus. Verses 5-8 set two ways of living side by side: walking by the flesh or walking by the Spirit. Verse 7 gives the blunt reason the flesh brings death. It is not just weak or misguided. It is actively hostile to God, and it cannot obey His law. That is a hard truth. But Paul does not leave us there. The whole chapter is about what the Spirit does for those who belong to Christ.
Key Words
The Greek word for “mind” here is phronema. It does not mean intellect alone. It means the whole bent of a person, what you set your heart on, what you naturally aim for. Thayer defines it as “the thoughts and purposes.” So Paul is not saying your brain hates God. He is saying the default direction of the fallen heart points away from Him.
That direction is echthra, hostility, enmity. It is a strong word. An enemy you might reconcile with. Enmity is the state of war itself. The flesh is not a reluctant participant; it is wired for resistance. And the verse doubles down: the flesh “cannot” (dunatai) submit. The word means to be able, to have power. There is no power in the old nature to place itself under God’s authority. That is why a new power, the Spirit, must do what the flesh never can.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have taken this verse seriously, though they draw different implications. Reformed teachers like Calvin saw here a clear statement of total inability: the unregenerate will cannot choose God. Wesleyan and Methodist commentators agree that the flesh is enmity, but they emphasize that grace does not just cover sin; it breaks its power. The Roman Catholic tradition also affirms that original sin wounds our nature, leaving it inclined to evil, and that only sanctifying grace can reorient the soul toward God. What all share is the conviction: no amount of self-effort can fix what is wrong at the root. Only God can.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse and think it means people can never do anything good at all. That is not what Paul says. He is describing the mind set on the flesh, the part of us that is still dominated by sin. Jesus said even sinners give good gifts to their children. But when it comes to submitting to God’s authority, the flesh has nothing to offer. In fact, Paul’s point is not to say how bad we are, but to show why we need Someone else. The flesh cannot, but the Spirit can.
Living This Out
This week you will face moments when you do not want to obey God. Maybe it is a quiet resentment toward someone. Maybe it is a temptation you know is wrong. In that moment, your heart may feel a tug toward self-rule. Do not panic. That is the flesh doing what flesh does. Instead of fighting harder in your own strength, stop and say, “Lord, I cannot want what You want right now. Change my wanting.” That is not giving up. That is asking the Spirit to do what only He can do.
Main takeaway: Our fallen nature is not just weak but hostile to God, and only the Spirit can bring it into willing submission.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes we want to do things our own way, not God's way. That is what this verse is about. But God gives us His Spirit to help us want the right things.
For ages 9, 12
When we try really hard to be good, we find that our selfish side keeps showing up. Paul says that side cannot obey God no matter how hard we try. That sounds like bad news, but it is good news, because it means we need God to change us from the inside. He does that through His Spirit living in us. So when you mess up, do not just try harder. Ask the Spirit to change your heart.
Questions People Ask
What does 'the mind of the flesh' mean in Romans 8:7?
The phrase comes from the Greek word phronema, which means the whole bent of a person's thoughts and purposes. It does not mean the brain itself, but the natural direction of a life lived apart from God. Paul is describing the fallen human nature with its built-in resistance to God.
Does Romans 8:7 mean that humans are completely unable to do any good?
Not exactly. Paul is talking about the mind set on the flesh, not everything a person does. People can perform outwardly good actions. But when it comes to truly submitting to God's authority from the heart, the flesh has no power to do so. That is why we need the Spirit to transform us.
How does Romans 8:7 relate to the struggle Paul describes in Romans 7?
In chapter 7, Paul describes his inner conflict: he wants to do good but finds himself doing evil. Verse 7 of chapter 8 explains why that struggle is so intense. The flesh is not simply weak, it is hostile. That makes the conflict more than a bad habit; it is a war that only God's Spirit can win.
If the flesh cannot submit to God, what hope is there for change?
All the hope. Paul wrote this verse to show that self-improvement will not work. The solution comes in the very next verses: the Spirit of God gives us life and peace. What the flesh cannot do, the Spirit does. Christians believe that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead can reorient our hearts toward God.
What does 'enmity against God' mean in this verse?
The Greek word echthra means active hostility, not just dislike. It is the state of being an enemy. Paul uses this strong word to show that the flesh is not neutral or merely weak. It is fundamentally opposed to God's rule. That explains why the flesh cannot submit: submission would mean surrender, but the flesh refuses to lay down its arms.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study