Romans 8:7 – “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”

Extended Explanation

This verse explains the deep problem of sin and why people apart from Christ cannot please God.

Paul says that “the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God.” The word “hostile” means an active opposition or rebellion. A person who is controlled by their sinful nature does not just ignore God—they resist Him. This is not a neutral position; it is a direct conflict. The sinful mind does not want to obey God, does not value His ways, and does not submit to His authority.

Paul then makes a powerful statement: “It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” In other words, apart from Christ, people are not just unwilling to obey God—they are unable to. Sin is not just about making bad choices; it is a condition of the heart that makes people resistant to God.

This verse shows why human effort alone cannot bring someone into a right relationship with God. The sinful nature is in direct opposition to Him. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can a person’s heart and mind be changed.

Historical Context

Paul was writing to the church in Rome, a city filled with idol worship, immorality, and self-indulgence. Many people lived as though they were their own gods, chasing after wealth, pleasure, and power without any concern for the true God.

For Jewish Christians, this verse was a reminder that simply knowing the law was not enough. Many of them had relied on their religious background and traditions, thinking that following the law could make them right with God. But Paul was showing that without a changed heart, no one can truly submit to God.

For Gentile Christians, this verse would have explained why their old way of life was so empty. Before they came to Christ, they were controlled by sinful desires and had no real ability to follow God’s ways.

Paul wanted all his readers—Jewish and Gentile alike—to understand that apart from the Spirit of God, people remain in rebellion against Him. This is why salvation cannot come through human effort but only through God’s transforming power.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights several key truths:

1. Sin is not just an action—it is a condition – People are not sinners simply because they do bad things; they do bad things because they are sinners by nature.
2. Without the Holy Spirit, people cannot obey God – No amount of effort, morality, or religious practice can change the heart. Only the Spirit can transform a person.
3. The sinful nature resists God – People outside of Christ are not neutral toward God. They naturally resist His truth, His commands, and His authority.

This explains why people do not naturally seek after God (Romans 3:10-11) and why salvation is entirely the work of God. A person cannot simply decide to obey God on their own—God must first change their heart.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses strong words in this verse:

• “Hostile” – This is not passive indifference but active resistance. The sinful mind is in rebellion against God.
• “Does not submit” – The fleshly mind refuses to surrender to God’s authority.
• “Nor can it do so” – Paul makes it clear that apart from the Spirit, obedience is not even possible.

This verse is part of a larger contrast in Romans 8 between those who live by the flesh and those who live by the Spirit. The key point is that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. They are not just struggling to obey; they are incapable of doing so without God’s intervention.

Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 3:10-11 – “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”
• Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
• Ephesians 2:1-3 – “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse helps believers understand why people resist God and why salvation is not simply about making better choices. Without Christ, people are naturally opposed to God.

For Christians, this verse is a reminder that:

• They should not be surprised when the world rejects God’s truth. The sinful mind naturally resists Him.
• They should have compassion for unbelievers, knowing that only God can change hearts.
• They must rely on the Spirit daily because even as believers, they still battle against their old sinful nature.

This verse also encourages Christians to pray for those who do not know Christ. Since people cannot submit to God on their own, prayer is essential. Only the Holy Spirit can open their eyes and change their hearts.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Some might think this verse makes God seem distant or harsh, but the opposite is true. It actually highlights His love and grace.

If people are naturally hostile to God and unable to submit to Him, yet He still sent His Son to save them, that is incredible love. God did not wait for people to improve or seek Him out—He came to them while they were still in rebellion (Romans 5:8).

This verse also shows that salvation is not something people can take credit for. If people are naturally against God, then their salvation is entirely God’s work. This means that when He saves someone, it is purely out of His love and mercy.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the only answer to the problem described in this verse.

• Jesus breaks the power of the flesh – Romans 6:6 – “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with.”
• Jesus makes it possible to submit to God – Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
• Jesus turns hostility into peace – Colossians 1:21-22 – “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”

Because of Jesus, those who were once hostile toward God can now be reconciled to Him. Through His sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers are no longer controlled by the flesh but are made new.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why does the sinful mind resist God?
2. How does this verse help explain why some people reject the gospel?
3. What does this verse teach about the importance of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life?
4. How can Christians respond with grace and truth when people are hostile toward God?
5. What are some practical ways to rely on the Spirit instead of the flesh in daily life?

Romans 8:7 is a sobering reminder of sin’s grip on the human heart, but it also points to the incredible power of God’s grace. Only through Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit can people be freed from hostility toward God and brought into a life of obedience and peace.