Romans 8:8 KJV
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:8 MKJV
So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:8 NKJV
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:8 KJV 2000
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Interlinear KJV
So then /de/ they that are /on/ in /en/ the flesh /sarx/ cannot /ou/ /dunamai/ please /aresko/ God. /theos/
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
Verse 8. So then. It follows; it leads to this conclusion.
They that are in the flesh. They who are unrenewed sinners; who are following supremely the desires of the flesh, Ro 7:18. Those are meant here who follow fleshly appetites and desires, and who are not led by the Spirit of God.
Cannot please God. That is, while they are thus in the flesh; while they thus pursue the desires of their corrupt nature, they cannot please God. But this affirms nothing respecting their ability to turn from this course and to follow a different mode of life. That is a different question. A child may be obstinate, proud, and disobedient; and, while in this state, it may be affirmed of him that he cannot please his parent. But whether he might not cease to be obstinate, and become obedient, is a very different inquiry; and the two subjects should never be confounded: It follows from this,
(1.) that those who are unrenewed are totally depraved, since in this state they cannot please God.
(2.) That none of their actions, while in this state, can be acceptable to him, since he is pleased only with spiritually minded people.
(3.) That those who are in this state should turn from it without delay; as it is desirable that every man should please God.
(4.) That if the sinner does not turn from his course, he will be ruined. With his present character, he can never please him; neither in health nor sickness; neither in life nor death; neither on earth nor in hell. He is engaged in hostility against God; and if he does not himself forsake it, it will be endless, and involve his soul in all the evils of a personal, and direct, and eternal warfare with the Lord Almighty.
William Burkitt’s Commentary
To be in the flesh is not barely to have the flesh in us, but prevailing in us: to be wholly possessed by the flesh, to be drenched and drowned in sin; instead of fighting under Christ’s banner against sin, to fight under the banner of corrupt nature against Christ. Such cannot please God; nay, they cannot but displease him, both in their persons and in their actions; for none can please him that are unsuitable and unlike unto him, because all liking is founded in likeness, and all complacency is correspondency.
Learn hence, That carnal men neither do, nor can please God, because not renewed by God, nor reconciled to him: Such as are in the flesh cannot please God.