In Romans 8:7, is Paul talking about a carnal Christian or an unsaved person?
Paul is describing an unsaved person, not a carnal Christian. The passage says the carnal mind is enmity against God, which identifies one still in the natural state and hostile to God. While “carnal” can describe a fleshly-minded believer elsewhere, Romans 8:7 is speaking of the totally lost.
Les explains that the word “carnal,” as Paul uses it, can be used in two ways. It can speak of a carnal Christian, a believer who is saved and in the body but still fleshly-minded and has not come out of the old lifestyle. On the other hand, it can speak of carnal people as totally unsaved and totally lost. So the text has to define the word. Here in Romans 8:7, Les says Paul is talking about the unsaved carnal person, because the carnal mind is still in the natural state. The next word is “enmity,” meaning the person is an enemy of God. Les notes that people may deny being enemies of God or hating Him, but the book says they are at enmity with Him.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
More Questions
Who is the carnal mind in Romans 8:7?
In Romans 8:7 the 'carnal mind' means any person who is still under the control of the old Adam and has never had the power of the gospel operate in their life.
What is a carnal Christian according to Paul?
A 'carnal Christian' is a saved believer who is still fleshly-minded and more concerned with the flesh than with spiritual things.
Who are the 'carnal people' Paul speaks about in Romans?
Paul can also use the word 'carnal' for people who are totally unsaved and totally lost.