Romans 8:4

Modern

…so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Traditional

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

Literal

…so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Latin

…ut justificatio legis impleretur in nobis, qui non secundum carnem ambulamus, sed secundum spiritum.

Greek

English

…so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

the righteous standard of the law … might be fulfilled in us. The Greek preposition en ("in") can be understood in more than one way. It may mean that the law is fulfilled in us because we are united with Jesus Christ, who fully obeyed the law for us. It can also mean that, by freeing us from the power of sin, Jesus Christ enables us to please God and live out the true purpose of the law.
In the Old Testament, the flesh refers to human weakness and slavery to sin (see Genesis 6:3, 12; Psalm 78:39; Isaiah 40:6; also in Romans 8:5–9, 12–13). Paul uses this phrase to describe the conflict between the human tendency to sin and the Holy Spirit.

Theme notes and profiles

Galatians 5:22–25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Colossians 1:22
But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence—
Ephesians 5:26–27
…to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Hebrews 12:23
…in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
Jude 1:24
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—
Revelation 14:5
And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
Romans 2:26
If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.