Romans 8:7

Because. Paul now explains why the mind of the flesh is death.

Carnal mind. Greek phronema tes sarkos, translated “to be carnally minded” in v. 6 (see comment there).

Enmity against God. To set the mind on the things of the flesh and thus to live a life of self-assertion and self-indulgence means inevitably a life that is hostile to God and out of harmony with His will (see James 4:4). Such a course leads to estrangement from God and separation from the source of life — a separation that means death. This hostility against God is the opposite of the peace that comes to those who live in the Spirit (Rom. 8:6).

Is not subject. Or, “does not subject itself.” In military terminology the verb means subjection to orders. The present tense suggests continued insubordination. The mind that is set on the flesh reveals its hostility against God by continued disobedience to His law.

Neither indeed can be. The carnal mind is wholly incapable of submitting to the law of God. Only by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is obedience again made possible.

When man was first created, his mind and life were in perfect harmony with the will of God. The principles of God’s law were written on his heart. But sin brought alienation from God, and man’s heart came to be filled with enmity and rebellion. Consequently, ever since man’s fall under the power of sin, he has followed the inclinations of the flesh, which have led inevitably to disobedience to God’s law. This is why it is impossible for a man to attain to righteousness and salvation by his own legalistic attempts at obedience. Unless he dies to self and sin and is born again to a new life in the Spirit (ch. 6), he is incapable of subjection to the will of God (see PP 64).