What does Paul mean by 'death' in Romans 8:6 when he says the carnal mind is death?
In Romans 8:6, "death" means spiritual death, which is separation from God, not annihilation of existence. It is the end result of a mind controlled by the flesh, remaining in old Adam, and it denotes spiritual separation from God not only in this life but forever.
Les explains that Romans 8:6 follows the contrast in verse 5 between those after the flesh, meaning old Adam, and those after the Spirit. To be carnally or fleshly minded is death—spiritual death. Death in that regard is simply separation: separation from God, not an annihilation of existence. To be continuously carnally minded, to remain in old Adam, is therefore a spiritual separation from God, not just for this life but forever. He then begins verse 7 by pointing to the carnal mind that is still in old Adam, showing that this condition is not limited to especially bad people; all good people like to say it is not them, but he insists it is.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
More Questions
What happens to someone who remains carnally minded?
Remaining carnally minded (in the old Adam) leads to eternal separation from God.