What Does Romans 8:5 Mean in the King James?

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.

Romans 8:5 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The mind follows what it is “after,” and the Greek word translated “Spirit” also means breath.

THE MEANING

Your present direction shows up in where your mind settles: your thoughts take up the concerns of what you follow. The word translated “Spirit” also means breath, giving this orientation a living, present sense.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the idea that what you follow can be separated from what occupies your mind; here, attention reveals direction.

THE ROOT

πνεῦμα

pneuma

GROWS FROM

πνέω

pneō

To breathe or blow; the source of the word for breath, wind, or spirit.

The Greek word translated “Spirit” is also the word for breath. So the things of the Spirit carry the image of breath’s domain, joining the verse’s inward direction to something living and near.

ALSO GROWS

pnoē: Breath or a blowing.

πνοή

This related word makes audible the breath that the word for Spirit also contains.

pneumatikos: Pertaining to spirit or breath.

πνευματικός

This adjective carries the same word-family into descriptions of what belongs to the breath.

φρονοῦσιν

phronousin

GROWS FROM

φρήν

phrēn

Mind or understanding; the word-family describes setting one’s mind or orientation.

“do mind” in this verse is phronousin. This verb names more than a passing thought: it describes where the mind is set. The same word-family appears as “mindset” in the next verse, where the consequences of each orientation are named.

ALSO GROWS

phronēma: A mindset or settled orientation.

φρόνημα

Romans 8:6 uses this related noun to trace the direction named here to its outcome.

sōphroneō: To think with soundness or self-control.

σωφρονέω

This related word shows the family can describe the quality and steadiness of a person’s thinking, not just an isolated thought.

THE PATTERN

The direction that governs a life becomes visible in the concerns that hold the mind.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 1:2 · KJVContinual meditation shows which instruction gives this person’s inner life its direction.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 · KJVA renewed mind changes the pattern of life and recognizes what is good.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 · KJVLife in the breath is expressed as a walk that follows the same breath.

THE THREAD

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 · KJV

Verse 5 names the mind’s direction; verse 6 traces that orientation to death or to life and wholeness. The word rendered “minded” in verse 6 belongs to the same Greek family as “do mind” here, so the connection is in the wording as well as the pattern.

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