King James Version

What Does Romans 8:3 Mean?

Romans 8:3 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin”

Romans 8:3 · KJV

Context

1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3

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 sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin

4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5

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.

Read Romans 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh—The law's inability (to adunaton tou nomou) was not intrinsic defect but human incapacity. Astheneō ("weak") describes the flesh's moral impotence, not the law's inadequacy. God's solution: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias). The phrase is carefully calibrated—Christ assumed genuine humanity (homoiōma means "likeness/form") without sin's contamination. He entered fully into our condition while remaining the sinless Son.

And for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (peri hamartias katekrinen tēn hamartian)—The phrase peri hamartias is technical, used in the LXX for "sin offering" (Leviticus 4-5). On the cross, God both condemned sin as a power and provided the sacrifice for sin's guilt. Christ's death was substitutionary ("for sin"), judicial ("condemned"), and comprehensive (dealing with sin both as record and as enslaving force).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's language of Christ coming "in the likeness of sinful flesh" anticipates later Christological heresies. Against Docetism (which denied Christ's true humanity), Paul affirms the reality of the Incarnation. Against adoptionism, he emphasizes Christ as God's "own Son" (ton heautou huion), not a mere human elevated to divine status.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why was the Incarnation necessary—why couldn't God simply forgive without Christ becoming flesh?
  2. How does Christ's "condemnation of sin in the flesh" differ from other ancient sacrificial systems?
  3. What does this verse teach about the relationship between Christ's person (sinless) and his work (sin offering)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
τὸ1 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γὰρ2 of 30

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἀδύνατον3 of 30

“could not do”

G102

unable, i.e., weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible

τοῦ4 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμου5 of 30

“what the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ἐν6 of 30

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ7 of 30

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἠσθένει8 of 30

“it was weak”

G770

to be feeble (in any sense)

διὰ9 of 30

“through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς10 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαρκί11 of 30

“flesh”

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ὁ12 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς13 of 30

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τὸν14 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑαυτοῦ15 of 30

“his own”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

υἱὸν16 of 30

“Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

πέμψας17 of 30

“sending”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

ἐν18 of 30

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὁμοιώματι19 of 30

“the likeness”

G3667

a form; abstractly, resemblance

σαρκί20 of 30

“flesh”

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἁμαρτίαν21 of 30

“of sinful”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

καὶ22 of 30

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

περὶ23 of 30

“for”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

ἁμαρτίαν24 of 30

“of sinful”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

κατέκρινεν25 of 30

“condemned”

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

τὴν26 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίαν27 of 30

“of sinful”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ἐν28 of 30

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ29 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαρκί30 of 30

“flesh”

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 8:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 8:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 13:39Galatians 4:4-5Hebrews 7:18-192 Corinthians 5:21Galatians 3:13Hebrews 10:14

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Romans 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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