Bible Strands
Romans 8:5
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul to the Roman church, mid-argument (ch. 5–8) on the Spirit's role in the believer's life, immediately after stating that the law's standard is fulfilled in those who walk by the Spirit (v. 4) and immediately before stating the consequence of each orientation (v. 6).
The words — σάρξ (sarx), "flesh," carries the verse; it appears twice in the supplied fragment (σάρκα, σαρκός) and names not the body per se but the orientation opposed to the Spirit. The preposition κατὰ (kata), "according to," frames both halves as a governing principle, not a single act.
The thread — 1 Corinthians 2:14 states the incapacity of the natural person to receive what the Spirit gives; Galatians 5:19 enumerates the concrete "acts of the flesh"; John 3:6 grounds the distinction ontologically ("flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit").
Why it lands — The verse presents a binary with no third option: the mind is set on one or the other, and the reader is asked to identify which orientation actually governs their thinking.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
- John 3:6 Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.
- Colossians 3:1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
- Romans 8:6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
- Philippians 3:18 For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
- Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
- Mark 8:33 But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
- Romans 8:12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.