Romans 8:3
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:
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 30
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἀδύνατον
could not do
G102
ἀδύνατον
could not do
Strong's:
G102
Word #:
3 of 30
unable, i.e., weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
what the law
G3551
νόμου
what the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
5 of 30
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ᾧ
that
G3739
ᾧ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 30
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
9 of 30
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκί
flesh
G4561
σαρκί
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
11 of 30
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
13 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτοῦ
his own
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
his own
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
15 of 30
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
υἱὸν
Son
G5207
υἱὸν
Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
16 of 30
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
πέμψας
sending
G3992
πέμψας
sending
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
17 of 30
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
σαρκί
flesh
G4561
σαρκί
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
20 of 30
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περὶ
for
G4012
περὶ
for
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
23 of 30
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 13:39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.Hebrews 10:14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.2 Corinthians 5:21For 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 3:13Christ 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:1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Romans 6:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.Galatians 3:21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?Romans 3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.Hebrews 2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- Why was the Incarnation necessary—why couldn't God simply forgive without Christ becoming flesh?
- How does Christ's "condemnation of sin in the flesh" differ from other ancient sacrificial systems?
- What does this verse teach about the relationship between Christ's person (sinless) and his work (sin offering)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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).