SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:5
Porque los que son conforme a la carne, las cosas que son de la carne saben; mas los que conforme al Espíritu, las cosas que son del Espíritu.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 8:5
Verse 5. For they that are after the flesh] And here is the great distinction between Jews and genuine Christians: the former are after the flesh-are under the power of the carnal, rebellious principle; and consequently mind, pronousin, relish, the things of the flesh-the things which appertain merely to the present life; having no relish for spiritual and eternal things. But they that are after the Spirit] They who are regenerated, who are born of the Spirit, being redeemed from the influence and law of the carnal mind; these relish the things of the Spirit-they are spiritually minded, and pass through things temporal, so as not to lose the things which are eternal. And this, which in these apostolic times distinguished between the carnal Jew and the spiritual believer in Christ, is the grand mark of distinction between the nominal and the real Christian now. The former is earthly minded, and lives for this world; the latter is spiritually minded, and lives for the world to come.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. For they that are after the flesh , etc..] By flesh is meant the corruption of nature; and they may be said to be after it, not all that have flesh in them, for the best of saints have it in them; regenerating grace does not remove it from them; there is a difference between being in and after the flesh, and flesh being in us; but such who are as they were born, who have nothing but flesh, or corrupt nature in them, in whom that is the governing principle, whose minds are carnal, and whose whole walk and conversation is, such, are here meant: and these persons do mind the things of the flesh : not merely things corporeal, belonging to the welfare of the body; or things natural for the improvement of the mind; or things civil, as riches, etc.. which may be minded and sought after in a lawful way; but things sinful, the lusts, works, and sins of the flesh: which they may be said to mind, since they judge them to be good; the bent and application of their minds are to them; their affections are set upon them; they are solicitously careful to provide for them, and savour and relish them: nor is it to be wondered at, since these are natural to them; they are opposite to God and so agreeable to them; they have no mind, thought, affection, or relish, for anything else; and it is entirely owing to mighty grace, that any mind the things of the Spirit: but they that are after the Spirit ; not such who follow the dictates of their own spirits; or are outwardly reformed; nor all that have spiritual gifts; or profess themselves to have the grace and Spirit of God; but such who are born again, are renewed in the spirit of their minds, in whom grace is the governing principle: the work of the Spirit is begun in them, though not perfected: the Spirit himself dwells in them, and they walk after him; their minds and conversations are spiritual, though there may be a great deal of carnality in their hearts, thoughts, words, and actions, which is matter of grief unto them: these mind the things of the Spirit ; the graces of the Spirit; spiritual blessings; the doctrines of the Gospel; spiritual sacrifices and services: these have some understanding of, can discern the difference between them and carnal things, judge and approve of them as right; have a great esteem and affection for them, and taste a sweetness in them. They have no mind naturally to these things; nor is the bias of their minds altered by themselves, nor could it; this is wholly the work of the Spirit of God; and these things are minded only because, and as they are agreeable to the spiritual part, the inward man.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thu secured. What is the principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these d we make provision, by which are we governed? The unrenewed will i unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, besides outwar duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer's person might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the la of love is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us there is that in all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are we most wise for the world, or for our souls? Those that live in pleasure are dead, 1Ti 5:6 A sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The carna mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal ma may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not, ver. 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of min in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.
Greek Textus Receptus
οι 3588 T-NPM γαρ 1063 CONJ κατα 2596 PREP σαρκα 4561 N-ASF οντες 5607 5752 V-PXP-NPM τα 3588 T-APN της 3588 T-GSF σαρκος 4561 N-GSF φρονουσιν 5426 5719 V-PAI-3P οι 3588 T-NPM δε 1161 CONJ κατα 2596 PREP πνευμα 4151 N-ASN τα 3588 T-APN του 3588 T-GSN πνευματος 4151 N-GSN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. They that are (oi ontev). Wider in meaning than walk, which expresses the manifestation of the condition expressed by are.Do mind (fronousin). The verb primarily means to have understanding; then to feel or think (1 Cor. xiii. 11); to have an opinion (Romans xii. 3). Hence to judge (Acts xxviii. 22; Gal. v. 10; Philip. iii. 15). To direct the mind to something, and so to seek or strive for (Matt. xvi. 23, note; Philip. iii. 19; Col. iii. 2). So here. The object of their thinking and striving is fleshly.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:5 {Do mind} (fronousin). Present active indicative of fronew, to think, to put the mind (fren) on. See #Mt 16:23; Ro 12:16. For the contrast between sarx and pneuma, see #Ga 5:16-24.
