Romans 8:3 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

³ For what the law was not able to do [for mankind], since it was [too] weak [to deliver them from condemnation] because fleshly people [were unable to obey it perfectly], God condemned sin in the flesh [i.e., sin was declared evil and its power over man broken]. God did this by sending His own Son in a body like sinful man’s, and to destroy sin,

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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:

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

³ For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], [Lev. 7:37.]

American Standard Version (1901)

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:

Common English Bible

³ God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin.

Catholic Public Domain Version

³ For though this was impossible under the law, because it was weakened by the flesh, God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and because of sin, in order to condemn sin in the flesh,

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

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 of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh;

Romans 8:3 Cross References

Mark 15:27

And they also crucified two thieves with Him, one at His right side and one at His left.

John 1:14

[Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

John 9:24

So, they called the [former] blind man a second time, and said to him, “Give honor to God [Note: In Jewish idiom this phrase meant “tell the truth.” See Josh. 7:19]; we know this man is a sinner.”

Acts 13:39

and [it is] by Him that every believer is made right with God in every way that he could not have been made right by [observing the requirements of] the Law of Moses.

Romans 3:20

This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which “law” is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the Law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the Law of Moses.

Romans 6:6

We know that our old self was [figuratively] crucified with Christ, in order that the body of sin [i.e., our whole life of sin] might be destroyed [i.e., become powerless to control our actions and thoughts], so that we should not be enslaved to the practice of sin any longer.

Romans 7:18

For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh, for the desire to do good is present in my heart, but the ability to carry it out [consistently] is not.

Romans 8:32

God did not withhold His own Son [from dying], but offered Him up for all of us. [Since He did that], will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything [else] also?

Romans 9:3

For I could wish that I, personally, were cut off from Christ [and lost] for the sake of my brothers, who are my physical relatives,

2 Corinthians 5:21

God considered Christ to be sinful on our behalf, even though He never sinned, so that we could be considered right with God through Him.

Galatians 3:13

Christ bought us back from the curse [caused by our not obeying all the requirements] of the Law of Moses; He became a curse for us [by dying on the cross], for it is written [Deut. 21:23], “Every one who hangs on a tree [i.e., a cross] is cursed [i.e., cut off from God].”

Galatians 3:21

Is the Law of Moses contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could provide [never ending] life, then a person could be considered right with God by [obeying the requirements of such] a law.

Philippians 2:7

Instead, He gave up what He had and took on the form [i.e., the nature] of a slave, becoming like a man, [and even] His appearance was found to be like a man’s.

Hebrews 10:12

But when this Priest [i.e., Christ] had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, He sat down at the right side of God.

Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering [i.e., the sacrifice of Himself], Christ has made perfect forever those people who are being set apart for God.

Hebrews 2:14

Therefore, since the children share in [bodies of] flesh and blood, Christ also, in the same way, took on a human body so that, through His death, He could destroy [the dominion of] him who had the power to cause death, that is, the devil.

Hebrews 2:17

So, for this reason, He had to become like His brothers in every way [i.e., except that He never sinned], so that He could become a merciful and faithful Head Priest in things related to God’s [service], [and] that He could provide a means of purifying [Lev. 16:30] for people’s sins [i.e., a “covering over” or forgiveness of them].

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a head priest who is incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but One [i.e., Jesus] who has been tempted in every way that we have, and yet without sinning.

1 Peter 2:24

Jesus took upon Himself our sins [when] His body was placed upon the cross so that we, [through] dying to [i.e., giving up] the sinful life, would live for righteousness. You were healed [from your sins] by His being brutally treated.