Romans 8:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →People are shaped by what they set their minds upon, whether the flesh or the Spirit.
What Does Romans 8:5 Mean?
Paul describes two kinds of people by what occupies their attention and desire. Those governed by the flesh fix their minds on fleshly things; those governed by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The orientation of the inner life reveals where a person truly belongs.
Our affections follow our attention. What we dwell on shapes what we become and where we are bound. To mind the things of the Spirit is to give the heart and thoughts to God, His will, and His gifts. This is not a single choice but a daily direction, a turning of the mind toward the things that are above, where Christ leads His people into life.
Romans 8:5 in the Original Language
phroneo (φρονέω), 'do mind' -- to set the mind on, to be intent upon, the bent of one's thinking and desire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 8:5
What does Romans 8:5 mean?
People are shaped by what they set their minds upon, whether the flesh or the Spirit.