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Romans 8:3

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For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

For {G1063} what the law {G3551} could not do {G102}, in {G1722} that {G3739} it was weak {G770} through {G1223} the flesh {G4561}, God {G2316} sending {G3992} his own {G1438} Son {G5207} in {G1722} the likeness {G3667} of sinful {G266} flesh {G4561}, and {G2532} for {G4012} sin {G266}, condemned {G2632} sin {G266} in {G1722} the flesh {G4561}:

For what the Torah could not do by itself, because it lacked the power to make the old nature cooperate, God did by sending his own Son as a human being with a nature like our own sinful one [but without sin]. God did this in order to deal with sin, and in so doing he executed the punishment against sin in human nature,

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Commentary

Romans 8:3 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter, explaining how God accomplished what the Mosaic Law could not: overcoming the power of sin in human life through Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse immediately follows the intense discussion in Romans 7 about the internal struggle with sin and the limitations of the law to provide deliverance from it. Romans 7 highlights that the law reveals sin but doesn't empower one to overcome it. Romans 8 then introduces the transformative power of the Holy Spirit for those in Christ Jesus. Verse 3 sets the stage by explaining *how* this liberation became possible, specifically through God's action in sending His Son.

Key Themes

  • The Law's Limitation: The verse states "what the law could not do." The law was holy and just (Romans 7:12), but it lacked the power to conquer sin's hold on humanity because of human weakness, referred to here as "the flesh." It could command, but not empower.
  • Human Weakness ("The Flesh"): The term "flesh" (Greek: sarx) in this context refers not just to the physical body but to human nature in its fallen, sinful state, prone to rebellion against God. The law was "weak through the flesh" because the sinful nature was incapable of fully obeying it.
  • God's Solution in Christ: God intervened by "sending his own Son." This highlights God's initiative and the divine nature of Jesus.
  • Incarnation: Jesus came "in the likeness of sinful flesh." This means He genuinely took on human nature, experiencing its conditions and temptations, yet without Himself being sinful (Hebrews 4:15). He identified with humanity's plight.
  • Condemnation of Sin: Through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, God "condemned sin in the flesh." This refers to the decisive judgment and defeat of sin's power and claim over humanity. By dealing with sin in human nature (the flesh) through Christ's sacrifice, God provided the means for believers to be freed from sin's dominion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (Greek: en homoiomati sarkos hamartias) is crucial. "Likeness" (homoioma) suggests true similarity in form and condition, but not identity in substance (sinfulness). Jesus was truly human, sharing our physical and experiential nature, but He did not share our inherent sinfulness. The phrase "and for sin" (Greek: kai peri hamartias) can also be translated "as a sin offering," connecting Jesus' work directly to the Old Testament sacrificial system and His atoning death.

Reflection

Romans 8:3 offers profound hope. It shows that our inability to perfectly keep the law or overcome sin by sheer willpower is not the end of the story. God Himself provided the solution through His Son. By sending Jesus to live among us, identify with our condition, and ultimately conquer sin through His death and resurrection, God achieved what we could never do. This verse reminds us that freedom from the power of sin comes not through striving harder under the law, but through trusting in Christ Jesus and the power of the Spirit He provides.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 13:39 (26 votes)

    And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

  • Hebrews 7:18 (17 votes)

    For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

  • Hebrews 7:19 (17 votes)

    For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

  • Galatians 4:4 (16 votes)

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

  • Galatians 4:5 (16 votes)

    To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 (15 votes)

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Galatians 3:13 (15 votes)

    Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: