Why could the Law not accomplish what was needed in Romans 8:3?
The Law could not accomplish what was needed because it was weak through the flesh. The Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments, could not overcome the old Adam or provide victory over sin and condemnation. The answer is the indwelling Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 8, who becomes the believer's law.
The explanation continues that Paul, in the first seven chapters, lays the groundwork of how we ended up in sin and under condemnation, and how Christ died that we might be justified and forgiven. Chapter 7 presents the dilemma of overcoming the old Adam. The answer is Romans chapter 8: the Holy Spirit, the indwelling Spirit who becomes our law. In verse 3, the context is the Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments, and the whole sphere of Judaism. For what the Law could not do, it was weak through the flesh. The Law could not provide the needed victory; the indwelling Spirit does.
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:
In Romans 8, is “the law” the Ten Commandments or a natural law?
In Romans 8, “the law” refers to the Mosaic Law, specifically the Ten Commandments, not a natural law such as the law of gravity. The context contrasts the law of sin and death with the indwelling Holy Spirit, who becomes the believer’s law.
What does “the Law” refer to in Romans 8:3?
In Romans 8:3, 'the Law' refers to the Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments, and the whole sphere of Judaism. It is not the law of gravity or the law of sin and death. The Law was weak through the flesh.
More Questions
Why was the Law unable to act in Romans 8:3?
In Romans 8:3, Paul says the Law’s weakness through the flesh is why it could not do what was needed.
Why could the law not save us in Romans 8:3?
The Law (the Ten Commandments, the Mosaic Law, the whole sphere of Judaism) could not do what was needed because it was weak through the flesh.