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.
Parallel translations
- WEB For 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.
- BSB Those 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.
- NKJV For 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.
- NASB For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
- NLT Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
People are shaped by what they set their minds on—the flesh or the Spirit. The direction of one's mind reveals the governing power of one's life.
Overview
Paul contrasts two kinds of people by their fundamental orientation. Those ruled by the flesh fix their thoughts on fleshly things, while those ruled by the Spirit focus on the things of the Spirit. This mindset is not incidental but reveals where one's deepest allegiance and life truly lie.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 1 Cor 2:14But 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.
- Gal 5:19–25Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
- John 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
- Col 3:1–3If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
- Rom 8:6–7For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
- Phil 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:
- Rom 8:9But 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 8:33But 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.
- Rom 8:12–14Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
- 2 Cor 10:3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
- 2 Pet 2:10But 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.
- Eph 5:9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
- 1 Cor 15:48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 8:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.