FOR: hoi gar:

As in Romans 8:2-3, the conjunction for (1063) (gar) in this verse carries the meaning of because. Every time you see a "for" at the beginning of a sentence always stop and ask what is it there "for"? (see term of conclusion) It will usually be a term of conclusion and you will be forced to read the prior context to understand what is being explained.

S Lewis Johnson explains the "for" noting that...

In the fifth verse of the chapter the apostle gives the first of the reasons why believers walk after the Spirit. In other words, the "for" of the verse is connected with the last clause of the preceding verse. Men walk according to the inward inclination, bent, or disposition that they have. Thus, those who have at their inmost center the lusts of the flesh will walk after the flesh, while the opposite is true of those who walk according to the Spirit. To "be" after the flesh is to exist only for the flesh, and the clause, then, refers to the unbeliever. They mind the things of the flesh, that is, they think and will according to the desires of the flesh. Their conduct follows accordingly. On the other hand, they that "are" after the Spirit think and will according to inclinations implanted by Him in the inmost being of the believer. They are inclined to holiness, just as the unbelievers are inclined to unholiness. The renewed nature of the believer, upheld by the Spirit, determines the bent of the life. (Romans 8:5-17)

Paul's point is that a believer does not behave according to the flesh because their new heart and mind (cf Ezekiel 36:26, 27) are no longer continually centered on the things of the flesh and ruled by Sin.

Disciple's Study Bible concurs adding that...

The end result of following the bent of human nature is physical and spiritual death. People who yield their behavior to the sinful nature will never be pleasing to God. (Disciple's Study Bible)

THOSE WHO ARE (continually) ACCORDING TO (dominated, controlled by) THE FLESH SET THEIR MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH: hoi gar kata sarka ontes (PAPMSN) ta tes sarkos phronousin (3PPAI): (Ro 8:12,13; Jn 3:6; 1Cor 15:48; 2Cor 10:3; 2Pet 2:10) (6,7; Mk 8:33; 1Cor 2:14; Php 3:18,19)

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh (Amplified)

People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. (CEV)

Those who live by the corrupt nature have the corrupt nature’s attitude (GWT)

Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. (GNT)

Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want. (NCV)

For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh (NET)

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires (NIV)

Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human nature desires (NJB)

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things (NLT)

Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves (TLB)

For if men are controlled by their earthly natures, they give their minds to earthly things (Weymouth)

For those who are habitually dominated by the sinful nature put their minds on the things of the sinful nature (Wuest)

Are (5607) (ontes) is in the present tense indicating that this is the general pattern of their life (their lifestyle) or habitual practice.

According to (2596) (kata) conveys the root meaning of “down,” which in the present context suggests domination. In this context, the phrase according to refers to basic spiritual nature and indicates ones  fundamental essence, bent, or disposition. In short Paul is describing an unbeliever, devoid of the Spirit. An unbeliever orders his or her behavior in such a way that it is dominated or controlled by the flesh, the Sin nature inherited from Adam (see note Ro 5:12) which gives the unregenerate their propensity to commit sins.

As noted above (and the view favored by the majority of conservative commentaries) the plain sense of this verse favors that those who are according to the flesh are the unsaved, the unredeemed, the unregenerate as discussed below. As the apostle points out a few verses later, the unsaved not only are according to the flesh but are in the flesh and are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit, The saved, on the other hand, not only are according to the Spirit but are in the Spirit and indwelt by Him (see note on Romans 8:9).

Set...mind (5426) (phroneo from phren = literally the diaphragm and thus that which curbs or restrains. Figuratively, phren is the supposed seat of all mental and emotional activity) refers to the basic orientation, bent, and thought patterns of the mind, rather than to the mind or intellect itself (that is the Greek word nous). Phroneo includes a person’s affections and will as well as his reasoning.  In other words phroneo refers not simply to intellectual activity but also to direction and purpose of heart.

Richards writes that phroneo...

in particular expresses the idea of thinking or judging in a neutral way. The context indicates the content of what is being thought. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)

It means to to give careful consideration to something and thus to set one’s mind on, to be intent on or to have a mental disposition for, to keep on giving serious consideration to something, to ponder, to let one’s mind dwell on, to keep thinking about, to fix one’s attention on. (see note Colossians 3:2)

Vine comments that in Colossians 3:2 phroneo

"signifies the whole action of the mind, not merely the thinking power, the reasoning, but the set purpose of the mind, and is thus used in a distinctly spiritual sense. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson )

Phroneo means to employ one’s faculty for thoughtful planning, with emphasis upon the underlying disposition or attitude. Phroneo leads one through the process of evaluating a situation and, on the basis of our evaluation, adopting an attitude or disposition to act (see note Philippians 2:5)

Phroneo can mean to have an opinion with regard to something, to think or to judge (1Cor 13:11, Acts 28:22).

Vincent remarks that phroneo...

denotes a general disposition of the mind rather than a specific act of thought directed at a given point.

Vine writes that phroneo means...

“to think,” “to form a judgment”; but in the New Testament never merely “to hold an opinion,” always it is contemplated that action will be taken upon the judgment formed, cp. Philippians 4:10 (note)...(phroneo)  implies moral interest or reflection, not mere unreasoning opinion. (Ibid )

Phroneo is used 28 times in the NAS (Matt 16:23; Mark 8:33; Acts 28:22 ; Ro 8:5; 11:20; 12:3, 16; 14:6; 15:5 ; 1 Cor 13:11 ; 2 Cor 13:11; Gal 5:10 ; Phil 1:7; 2:2, 5; 3:15, 19; 4:2, 10 ; Col 3:2) and is translated adopt...view, 1; conceited, 1; concern, 1; concerned, 1; feel, 1; have...attitude, 3; intent on...purpose, 1; live in harmony, 1; mind, 4; observes, 2; set their minds, 2; set your mind, 1; setting your mind, 2; think, 3; views, 1

Phroneo is found 7 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Deut 32:29; Est 8:12; Ps 94:8; Isa 44:18, 28; 56:10; Zech 9:2)

Note the present tense in Romans 8:5 depicts this action as the continual practice or mindset.  The object of their thinking and striving is fleshly. Their mind is continually regulated by the flesh. These are unbelievers whose basic disposition is to satisfy the cravings of their unredeemed flesh. They obey the impulses of the flesh. They live to gratify the desires of the corrupt nature. They cater to the body, which in a few short years will return to dust.

Mounce has an interesting comment noting that...

People’s decisions about how they intend to live determines how they think about things. Moral choice precedes and determines intellectual orientation. People do not think themselves into the way they act but act themselves into the way they think. Ethical decision, more often than misguided reason, lies at the heart of error. (Mounce, R. H. Romans: The New American Commentary. Broadman & Holman Publishers)

KJV Bible Commentary writes that phroneo...

means to have something as the habit of your thought; something in which you place a total interest. Those who place their total interest in the things of the flesh cannot have their interest in the things of God. (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary: Nelson)

Wuest comments that in Romans 8:5 phroneo

"speaks of a deliberate setting of one’s mind upon a certain thing. The unsaved person, habitually dominated by the indwelling sinful nature...(Phroneo) speaks of a deliberate setting of one’s mind upon a certain thing. The unsaved person is dominated by the evil nature habitually and as habitually puts his mind on those things that the sinful nature has always welling up within itself, the things of sin." (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) (Bolding Added)

Paul uses phroneo in Philippians, where he tells the saints at Philippi

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, (phroneo) maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose (phroneo).... (and to) Have this attitude (phroneo) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (see note Philippians 2:2; 2:5)

Writing to the Colossians after having just presented two chapters of doctrine dealing with the supremacy of Christ Who is in them and is their hope (certainty) of glory, Paul exhorts the saints...

Set your mind (phroneo - present imperative = habitually, command) on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  (see note Colossians 3:2)

Paul teaches elsewhere that the man who is living dominated or controlled by the flesh does not welcome the things of the Spirit writing that

a natural (psuchikos - governed by sensual appetites and living apart from the Spirit of God) man (born into Adam and not regenerated in Christ = still "in Adam", not "in Christ") does not (ou = absolute negation!) accept (dechomai = deliberately and readily, receive kindly, they do not "put out a welcome mat"! = present tense) the things of the Spirit of God (because the Truth of God given by the Spirit calls for a decision - "Am I going to continue to do it my way or God's way?"); for they are foolishness (moria = that which is considered intellectually weak, irrational. From "moros" dull, stupid >"moronic" = same word is used to describe the Gentiles who are perishing) to him, and he cannot (dunamai = present tense = have intrinsic power - natural men lack the inner, inherent ability and resources on their own to = absolutely lacks the inherent, internal enablement to) understand (ginosko = know by experience) them, because they are spiritually appraised (Sanakrino =  sift up and down and so to scrutinize, to examine accurately and carefully with exact research like in legal processes). (1Cor 2:14)

This individual neither comprehends God's Truth nor even desires to do so. To reiterate, phroneo speaks of a deliberate setting of one’s mind upon a certain thing. The unsaved person is dominated by the evil nature habitually and habitually sets their mind on those things that the sinful nature has always welling up within itself, the things of sin.

The basic disposition of an unredeemed, unregenerate person is one who continually chooses to

“indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires” (see note on 2 Peter 2:10).

The flesh, the principle of rebellion within in man (see below), produces a certain pattern and way of thinking. Likewise, the Holy Spirit produces a certain pattern and way of thinking.

Unregenerate individuals (not born from above, not new creations in Christ) are...

"enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds (phroneo = present tense = continually) on earthly things." (see note Philippians 3:18;  3:19).

William Newell writes that...

The distinction between these two classes is as real as that between the sheep and goat nations at Christ's coming, or between those written in the book of life and those not written, at the last judgment. An unconquerable sadness rises in our hearts at the fact that after these centuries upon centuries of Divine dealing with man, and especially since the gospel has been preached, as Paul declares, "in all creation under heaven" (see note Colossians 1:23), there are yet those like Cain, Esau, Balaam, Saul, Judas, that are according to flesh. Alas, this description includes the mass of our race, for it is only "a little flock" that can be described as being according to Spirit.

Now all those according to flesh cherish, desire, are occupied with, and absorbed in, talk of, think of, follow after, the things of flesh; those according to Spirit, likewise discern, value, love, are absorbed in, the things of Spirit.*

Those according to flesh "mind" the flesh's things: its physical lusts, gluttony, uncleanness, slothfulness; its soulical lusts, mental delights, pleasures of the imagination, esthetic indulgences or "tastes" whether art, music, sculpture, or what not; its spiritual lusts, of pride, envy, malice, avarice: in a word, every unclean thing, and every good thing used by unclean persons, that is, persons not cleansed by the blood of Christ, not new creatures in Him. Then, too, there is the "religion" of the flesh, which includes all not of and in the Holy Ghost.  (Romans 8: Expository Notes Verse by Verse)

Wayne Barber explains that

"What Paul is doing in this section is contrasting a LOST and a SAVED person - this may seem obvious but there are some respected commentaries and pastors who hold that Paul is simply referring to a saved man who is struggling with the FLESH. (we know that although we are no longer "in the flesh", the Bible clearly teaches that the flesh is still in us (see Sarx #4b), in these mortal bodies - the difference now that we are in Christ is that we can say "yes" to Jesus and "no" to the FLESH).

Those who "set their minds on the things of the flesh" are doing so as a lifestyle. This is the habit of their lives because the verb "set minds on" is in the present tense. "Set minds on" is the single Greek word phroneo which speaks of a mind devoted to something, a determined focus set on something and means more than just the mind that entertains thoughts, etc. It is a fixed mindset. It is all the person lives for. Those who are in Adam (a "in the flesh") live to gratify the strong impulses (desires) of their corrupt (in Adam0 nature and they know no other way. From birth because of their inherited Sin nature inherited from Adam their minds are continuously fixed on the things which are displeasing to God.

The contrasting mindset is the person who continually or habitually has their mind focused on the things of the Spirit. To help understand what has happened to the mind of a person who is now in Christ, let's look at a similar word (sophronismos) in 2 Timothy 1:7 (click note) where Paul is exhorting young Timothy

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline (KJV = sound mind = sophronismos)"

When I was in Adam my mind was fixed a certain way - it was on the "AM Radio Band" so to speak. When Christ came into my life and placed me in Christ, He "re-programmed" my mind to the "FM Band", a totally different focus now compared to when I was in Adam. The word for "discipline" (sophronismos) is derived from sozo meaning "salvation" and phren meaning "mind". Taken together the Greek word translated "discipline" pictures a man with a "saved" "mind" (in fact 1Co 2:16 says believers now "have the mind of Christ").

"When Christ rescued my dead spirit from in Adam and He took up residence in my body, He also rescued my mind and gave me a "saved mind" . When we were in Adam, there was only one way our mind could think and that was on the things of the flesh. When I came to Christ the Spirit changed my mind so to speak from "AM" to "FM". This doesn't' mean we won't occasionally drift back into "AM band thinking" and acting, but it does mean that because of repentance (a change of thinking that produces a change of direction in my life) there is now a general bent or orientation of our "saved mind" toward Christ and the things of the Spirit. And even when we stray off course, His Spirit chastens and disciplines and scourges and brings us back so that we continually set our minds on the things of God."

Godet writes that...

To be after the flesh, is to be inwardly governed by it, as the natural man always is. The part here referred to is the deepest source of the moral life, whence the will is constantly drawing its impulses and direction. Hence the consequence:  they are preoccupied with the things of the flesh, aspire after them. The word phroneo is one of those terms which it is difficult to render in French, because it includes at once thinking and willing. (Godet, F L: The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans)

Moule comments that...

they who are flesh-wise, the unchanged children of the self-life, think, “mind,” have moral affinity and converse with, the things of the flesh; but they who are Spirit-wise, think the things of the Spirit, His love, joy, peace (Moule, C. G. The Epistle of St Paul to the Romans. Ages)

Cranfield writes...

We take Paul’s meaning in this verse then to be that those who allow the direction of their lives to be determined by the flesh are actually taking the flesh’s side in the conflict between the Spirit of God and the flesh, while those who allow the Spirit to determine the direction of their lives are taking the Spirit’s side. (Cranfield, C. E. B.  A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans . London; New York: T&T Clark International)

Robert Haldane adds this comment on phroneo noting that...

The word here translated “mind,” (KJV "For they that are after the flesh do mind -phroneo - the things of the flesh") includes both the understanding and the affections, and signifies the strong bent of the mind regarding the object desired. The minding of the flesh comprehends all the faculties of man in his unregenerate state, there being no power of the mind exempt from sin. If, then, a man walks according to the flesh, seeking acceptance with God by his own works, moral or ceremonial, however earnest or sincere he may be in his endeavors, he will remain under the prevalence and dominion of sinful appetites. Such persons have their minds intent on the things that gratify their corrupt nature. They have no relish for spiritual things; whatever they may be induced to do from dread of punishment, or hope of reward in a future world, their desires are, in reality, centered in the things of this world. Whatever may be their profession of religion, their hearts are supremely engrossed with earthly things (cf note Philippians 3:19- whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds - continually - on earthly things ); and for these, if they could obtain their wish through eternity, they would gladly barter all the glories of heaven. In one word, they mind the things of the flesh, they love the world, and all that is in the world. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1John 2:15-16).” (Haldane, R. An Exposition on the Epistle to the Romans) (Bolding added)

Flesh (4561) (sarx) is used 147 times in the NT (in table below click book title for uses of sarx). Note that a simple definition of sarx is somewhat difficult because sarx has many nuances (some Greek lexicons list up to 11 definitions for sarx!). The diligent disciple must carefully observe the context of in order to discern which nuance is intended. The range of meaning extends from the substance flesh (both human and animal), to the human body, to the entire person, and to all humankind. Refer to the table below for the 4 basic definitions of sarx in Strong's Lexicon.

Flesh in the moral/ethical or spiritual sense (see analysis of sarx below) as used by Paul in Romans 8:5 (and in many other passages - see box below) describes the outlook orientated toward self,  is prone to sin, is opposed to God and which pursues its own ends in self-sufficient, independence from God. Flesh is the ugly complex of human sinful desires that includes the ungodly motives, affections, principles, purposes, words, and actions that sin generates through our bodies. Sarx as used in this manner denotes the entire fallen human being—not just the sinful body but the entire being, including the soul and mind, as affected by sin. To live according to the flesh is to be ruled and controlled by that evil complex. Because of Christ’s saving work on our behalf, the sinful flesh no longer reigns over us, to debilitate us and drag us back into the pit of depravity into which we were all born.

Flesh in the moral/ethical or spiritual sense is that urge within us toward total autonomy and rebellion, toward being our own little gods accountable to no one, responsible to no one, obeying no one, respecting no one, and running our own little worlds to suit ourselves. It is that continual tug of self-centeredness and selfishness within each of us that keeps us from being completely His.

Born again believers need to understand that there is still this remnant of the flesh within our physical bodies of flesh. In contrast to the unregenerate man, believers now have the power led by the Holy Spirit to say "yes" to God and "no" to the flesh, whereas before Romans 6 (see notes on Ro 6:1-3; 6:4-5; 6:6-7; 6:8-10; 6:11) took place we had no choice. Paul teaches clearly that the flesh is opposed to Spirit. The unbeliever can live only in the flesh, but the believer can live in the Spirit but can fall back into living according to the Spirit. Paul repeatedly encourages believers to overcome the deeds of the flesh in the only way possible - by living in the Spirit.

To live according to the flesh is to be ruled and controlled by the flesh. Because of Christ’s saving work on our behalf, the sinful flesh no longer reigns over us, to debilitate us and drag us back into the pit of depravity into which we were all born.

J Vernon McGee has a simple classificatio