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ParallelVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Rom Intro C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16
Rom 8 V1 V2 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31 V32 V33 V34 V35 V36 V37 V38 V39
Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.
Text critical issues=minor/spelling Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) The law was powerless in that it was faltering through our bodies. God sent his son in a body just like our sinful bodies, and concerning sin, he condemned sin itself in the flesh![]()
OET-LV For/Because the powerless is of_the law, in that it_was_faltering through the flesh, the god the of_himself the_son having_sent, in the_likeness of_flesh sin, and concerning sin, condemned the sin in the flesh,![]()
SR-GNT Τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ ˚Θεὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱὸν πέμψας, ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας, κατέκρινεν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί, ‡
(To gar adunaton tou nomou, en hō aʸsthenei dia taʸs sarkos, ho ˚Theos ton heautou Huion pempsas, en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias, kai peri hamartias, katekrinen taʸn hamartian en taʸ sarki,)
Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).
ULT For what the law was unable to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, having sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
UST Indeed, God accomplished what the laws he gave the Jews could not accomplish, because they could not prevent people from living sinfully. Through the crucifying of his Son’s body, God removed how sinning controls people. He did this by sending his own Son Jesus to the world in a human body that was like the bodies of sinful people. God sent his Son in order to remove that which causes man to sin.
BSB For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God [did] by sending His [own] Son in [the] likeness of sinful man, [ as an offering ] for sin.[fn] He [thus] condemned sin in the flesh,
8:3 Literally in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin
MSB (Same as BSB above including footnotes)
BLB For of the Law being powerless in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent His Son in likeness of sin of flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh,
AICNT For what was impossible for the law, 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,
OEB What Law could not do, in so far as our earthly nature weakened its action, God did, by sending his own Son, with a nature resembling our sinful nature, to atone for sin. He condemned sin in that earthly nature,
WEBBE For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
WMBB (Same as above)
NET For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
LSV for what the Law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh,
FBV What the law couldn't do because it was powerless due to our sinful nature,[fn] God was able to do! By sending his own Son in human form, God dealt with the whole problem of sin[fn] and destroyed sin's power in our sinful human nature.
8:3 “Sinful nature,” Literally, “flesh,” meaning the sinful, fallen, physical nature of humanity. This word is used frequently in the following verses in contrast to the spiritual nature.
8:3 Or “by making a sacrifice of himself for sin.”
TCNT For what the law was powerless to do since it was weak through the flesh, God has done. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
T4T What we could not do by trying to obey the laws of God [PRS], because our self-directed nature was too weak to obey them, God did. He sent his own Son into the world in order that his Son might atone for our sin. His Son came having a body (OR, human nature) that was like the body (OR, the human nature) of us people who sin. By sending his Son in this way, he condemned and punished his Son, who never sinned, instead of punishing us, who sinned [MTY]. He did that by making his Son’s body a sacrifice (OR, by causing his Son’s body to suffer/die) for all our sin.
LEB For what was impossible for the law, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did. By[fn] sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
8:3 *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sending”) which is understood as means
BBE For what the law was not able to do because it was feeble through the flesh, God, sending his Son in the image of the evil flesh, and as an offering for sin, gave his decision against sin in the flesh:
Moff For God has done what the Law, weakened here by the flesh, could not do; by sending his own Son in the guise of sinful flesh, to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
Wymth For what was impossible to the Law—powerless as it was because it acted through frail humanity—God effected. Sending His own Son in a body like that of sinful human nature and as a sacrifice for sin, He pronounced sentence upon sin in human nature;
ASV 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:
DRA 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 of sin, hath condemned sin in the flesh;
YLT for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh,
Drby For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, [fn]God, having sent his own Son, in likeness of flesh of sin, and for sin, has condemned sin in the flesh,
8.3 Elohim
RV 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 as an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
SLT For the impossibility of the law, in that it was weak by the flesh, God having sent his own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Wbstr 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:
KJB-1769 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:
KJB-1611 For what the law could not doe, in that it was weake through the flesh, God sending his owne Sonne, in the likenesse of sinnefull flesh, and [fn]for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh:
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)
8:3 Or, by a sacrifice for sin.
Bshps For what the lawe coulde not do, in as much as it was weake through the fleshe, God sendyng his owne sonne, in the similitude of sinfull fleshe, euen by sinne, condempned sinne in the fleshe:
(For what the law could not do, in as much as it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son, in the similitude of sinful flesh, even by sin, condemned sin in the flesh:)
Gnva For (that that was impossible to ye Lawe, in as much as it was weake, because of ye flesh) God sending his owne Sonne, in ye similitude of sinful flesh, and for sinne, condened sinne in the flesh,
(For (that that was impossible to ye/you_all Law, in as much as it was weak, because of ye/you_all flesh) God sending his own Son, in ye/you_all similitude of sinful flesh, and for sin, condened sin in the flesh, )
Cvdl For what vnpossible was vnto ye lawe (in as moch as it was weake because of the flesh) yt perfourmed God, & sent his sonne in ye similitude of synfull flesh,
(For what unpossible was unto ye/you_all law (in as much as it was weak because of the flesh) it performed God, and sent his son in ye/you_all similitude of sinful flesh,)
TNT For what the lawe coulde not doo in as moche it was weake because of the flesshe: that performed God and sent his sonne in the similitude of synfull flesshe and by synne daned synne in the flesshe:
(For what the law could not doo in as much it was weak because of the flesh: that performed God and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh and by sin daned sin in the flesh: )
Wycl For that that was vnpossible to the lawe, in what thing it was sijk bi flesch, God sente his sone in to the licknesse of fleisch of synne, and of synne dampnede synne in fleisch;
(For that that was unpossible to the law, in what thing it was sick by flesch, God sent his son in to the likeness of flesh of sin, and of sin dampenede sin in flesh;)
Luth Denn was dem Gesetz unmöglich war (sintemal es durch das Fleisch geschwächet ward), das tat GOtt und sandte seinen Sohn in der Gestalt des sündlichen Fleisches und verdammte die Sünde im Fleisch durch Sünde,
(Because what/which to_him law impossible what/which (sintemal it through the flesh geschwächet ward), the did God and sent his son in the/of_the shape(n) the sündlichen fleshes and damnede the sin(n) in_the flesh through sin(n),)
ClVg Nam quod impossibile erat legi, in quo infirmabatur per carnem: Deus Filium suum mittens in similitudinem carnis peccati et de peccato, damnavit peccatum in carne,[fn]
(For/Surely that impossible was I_read, in/into/on where weakbatur through the_flesh: God Son his_own sendns in/into/on similarity of_flesh of_sin and from/about sin, damnavit sin in/into/on flesh/meat, )
8.3 Nam quod impossibile. Quomodo in Christo facta sit liberatio, ostendit. Per carnem. Per carnalitatem, quæ rebellabat, et audita lege amplius est incitata; sic infirmata est lex litteræ per carnem, et ideo erat ei impossibile liberare a lege peccati et mortis. Filium suum mittens. AUG. Non ubi non erat: qui ubique est, etc., usque ad quia visibilis mundo apparuit. In similitudinem, etc. Non in carnem peccatricem; quia non eum mater concupiscentia sed gratia concepit. Non peccatrix ergo fuit, quia nec in libidinis concupiscentia concepta, nec peccati causam in se habuit, nec in ea peccavit. In pœna ergo similis nostræ, non in qualitate peccati. Et de peccato. ORIG. Hoc est: Per hostiam carnis suæ quam obtulit in ara crucis, damnavit peccatum, et ad nihilum redegit in carne sua. Damnavit. Id est destruxit diabolum, id est pro peccato quod facit in carne Christi. Vel peccatum, id est fomitem procedentem de peccato Adæ damnavit, id est debilitavit.
8.3 For/Surely that impossible. How/In_what_manner in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah facts be liberatio, he_showed. Per the_flesh. Per carnaltatem, which rebellabat, and heard lawfully more it_is incitata; so weakened it_is the_law letters through the_flesh, and therefore/for_that_reason was to_him impossible to_free from lawfully of_sin and of_death. Son his_own sendns. AUG. Not/No where not/no was: who/which everywhere it_is, etc., until to because visible to_the_world appeared. In similarity, etc. Not/No in/into/on the_flesh sinsricem; because not/no him mother desire but grace conceived. Not/No sinsrix therefore it_was, because but_not in/into/on libidinis desire concepta, but_not of_sin cause in/into/on himself had, but_not in/into/on them he_sinned. In punishment therefore similar our, not/no in/into/on qualitate of_sin. And from/about sin. ORIG. This it_is: Per victim of_flesh his/her_own how offered in/into/on ara cross/frame, damnavit sin, and to nothing redegit in/into/on flesh/meat his_own. Damnavit. That it_is destroyed devil, that it_is for sin that he_does in/into/on flesh/meat Christi. Or sin, that it_is fomitem proceedem from/about sin Adæ damnavit, that it_is debilitavit.
UGNT τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ Θεὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱὸν πέμψας, ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας, κατέκρινε τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί,
(to gar adunaton tou nomou, en hō aʸsthenei dia taʸs sarkos, ho Theos ton heautou Huion pempsas, en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias, kai peri hamartias, katekrine taʸn hamartian en taʸ sarki,)
SBL-GNT τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ θεὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ υἱὸν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινε τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί,
(to gar adunaton tou nomou, en hō aʸsthenei dia taʸs sarkos, ho theos ton heautou huion pempsas en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias kai peri hamartias katekrine taʸn hamartian en taʸ sarki,)
RP-GNT Τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ θεὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ υἱὸν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί·
(To gar adunaton tou nomou, en hō aʸsthenei dia taʸs sarkos, ho theos ton heautou huion pempsas en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias kai peri hamartias katekrinen taʸn hamartian en taʸ sarki;)
TC-GNT Τὸ γὰρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ Θεὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ υἱὸν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινε τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί·
(To gar adunaton tou nomou, en hō aʸsthenei dia taʸs sarkos, ho Theos ton heautou huion pempsas en homoiōmati sarkos hamartias kai peri hamartias katekrine taʸn hamartian en taʸ sarki; )
Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).
8:3 our sinful nature: See study note on 6:19.
• in a body like the bodies we sinners have: Jesus identified with sinful people so that he could be their representative and redeem them. Paul also implies that Jesus’ incarnate nature was not exactly like ours; born of a virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus did not inherit a sinful nature from Adam.
• a sacrifice for our sins: In the Greek Old Testament, this phrase frequently describes a sin offering, and three of the eight New Testament occurrences also have this meaning (Heb 10:6, 8; 13:11). Christ was the sin offering that brought forgiveness and turned away God’s wrath. God condemned sin in Christ, our substitute, so that we could escape condemnation.
In this section Paul reminded the believers in Rome that God does not condemn them, because the Holy Spirit has set them free from sin and death. Jesus became like an Old Testament sin offering to remove the consequences of our sin. The laws of Moses demanded a righteous life, and in the Holy Spirit we can live that way.
The people who live according to the sinful nature seek to do things that are in accord with that nature. Also, they cannot please God, cannot follow his laws, are hostile to him, and will be punished with death forever. The people who live according to the Holy Spirit seek to do things that are in accord with his desire.
Christians allow the Holy Spirit to work in them. When they do that, they are as if dead to sin and God will give them life. Those without the Holy Spirit do not belong to Jesus Christ.
We put to death the deeds of the sinful nature. We do that by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s children and can do as he does (again, by the power of the Holy Spirit). If we suffer as Jesus suffered, God will give to us his promised inheritance in heaven.
Here are other possible headings for this section:
We must live according to the Holy Spirit, not according to sinfulness
Be Ruled by the Spirit (NCV)
Living by the Power of God’s Spirit (CEV)
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did
For the law of Moses was weak in people’s lives by the desires of the body, and did not have the power to free anyone from sin and death. Only God was able to do that.
For the laws of Moses cannot set anyone free like that, because it is weak in our bodies. But God
For: This word introduces the basis for God setting us free from sin and death (8:2).
what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did: Here the law refers to the laws that God gave to Moses. The law of Moses was not able to free people from sin (8:2). God did that. For example:
The Law of Moses cannot do this (CEV)
Paul spoke of the law as if it were a person. Some languages cannot speak of the law as doing things. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:
For no one, obeying the law of Moses can become free like that, because the law operates through our weak human nature. But God condemned sin in the flesh (interpretation 1)
For God condemned sin in the flesh. No one, obeying the laws of Moses, is able to do that, because people are weak regarding obeying them. (interpretation 2)
the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh: These words indicate that the law was unable to accomplish what God intended for it to do, because people are unable to obey it completely.
flesh: This word refers to people living according to their natural way of thinking, the human nature. Here are other ways to translate this word:
human nature (GNT)
our natural inclinations
our old nature
our own desires
See how you translated this word in 7:5 or 7:25.
by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man,
He/God sent his very own Son in a body and nature that was like the normal human body
sent his own Son, and he became like us(incl) sinful people,
by sending His own Son: The word by here indicates that God sending His own Son was how God condemned sin in the flesh. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
God sent his Son…. That way God condemned sin (GW)
He sent his Child…. And that’s how GodKankanaey Back Translation on TW.
His own Son: This phrase is a title for Jesus. This title indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It also indicates that the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship of human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship that resulted in Mary becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. See how you translated the phrase “His Son” at 1:3.
in the likeness of sinful man: The word likeness here probably indicates that Jesus became a human being yet still remained who he was before he did that,Cranfield (page 379). so he had all the characteristics of a human being except that he was sinless.Morris (on TW) and Kittel (686). But all the above information comes from many verses, not just this verse. Translate in a way that implies or allows the above meaning. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
in a body like the bodies we sinners have (NLT)
to be like us sinners (CEV)
he became as sinful peopleYongkom Back Translation, by this author, unpublished manuscript, Papua New Guinea.
In some languages it is helpful to explain in the translation how Jesus is the same and different from us. For example:
having a human body and his customs (were) like our (incl) customs but he was not influenced/carried to sinYakan Back Translation on TW.
he became a human being like us, but there was no sinfulness in him
sinful man: The word man refers to the physical body here but also includes the human nature as in 8:3a. When Jesus came to earth he took on a physical body as well as human nature. In our human nature while living in this physical body that we have, it is easy for us to sin. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
our sinful nature (REB)
with the same human life that others use for sin (NCV)
as an offering for sin.
and for the sake of sin,
and he sent him to do something about people’s sins.
as an offering for sin: There are several ways to interpret the Greek words that the BSB translates as as an offering for sin:
It means with regard to sin here. God also sent his Son to do something about sin. For example:
and concerning sin (NET) (RSV, GNT, KJV, ESV, NET, NABRE, REB, GW)
It means as a sin offering here. For example:
to be a sin offering (NIV) (BSB, NIV, NJB, NASB, CEV, NCV)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because this phrase is not in the context of the Old Testament system of animal sacrifice, as it is in Hebrews 13:11, where the same Greek phrase is correctly translated “sin offering.”
The words here refer to taking our sins upon himself, paying the penalty for sin by his death, and setting us free from sin.Lenski (pages 500–501) speaks of “atonement for sin and also our liberation from sin.” Fitzmyer (page 485–486) says it means “to deal with sin…or to conquer sin…or to take away…sin.” Here are other ways to translate the Greek words according to interpretation (1):
and for the sake of sin (NABRE)
and to deal with sin (REB)
He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
and so he/God broke/ended the power of sin in the human body,
He punished this thing called sinning by ending its power in our(incl) bodies.
He thus condemned sin in the flesh: In the death of Jesus on the cross, God broke the power of sin. People have the same body and human nature as Jesus. So God has broken the power of sin for all people. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
he condemned the power of sin in human nature
God removed the power of sin to rule us peopleKankanaey Back Translation on TW.
he really broke the control of sin over usTagbanwa Back Translation on TW.
condemned: Here this word refers to a judge saying someone is guilty and giving the punishment. Referring to condemning sin, some languages must use a different word here. See the above examples.
sin: Here sin is spoken of as if it were a person. Some languages must speak of sin in a different way. For example:
sinning
the power of sin
in the flesh: Here this phrase refers to the place where God condemned sin.
flesh: Here this word refers to the human body.
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases
γὰρ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
For indicates that what follows this word explains what came before it. Here, it introduces what follows in this verse and the next verse as an explanation of what Paul said in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [In fact,]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure
τὸ & ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός, ὁ Θεὸς
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: [God did what the law was unable to do, in that it was weak through the flesh]
Note 3 topic: grammar-collectivenouns
τοῦ νόμου
˱of˲_the law
Here, the law refers to the laws that God gave the Jews, which is usually what Paul means when he says the law. See how you translated this expression in [2:12](../02/12.md).
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
τὸ & ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου & ὁ Θεὸς
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Paul implies that what the law was unable to do was to make people righteous, which is the main theme of this book. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [the law was unable to make people righteous … but God did so]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / personification
τὸ & ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου, ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διὰ τῆς σαρκός
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Here Paul speaks of the law as if it were a person who was unable to do something and was weak. Paul means that the laws God gave the Jews could not make people righteous, because people are naturally sinful and unable to obey those laws. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the law could not stop people from sinning, because sinful human nature prevented people from obeying it]
Note 6 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result
ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει
in that ˱it˲_˓was˒_faltering
This phrase is the reason why the law was unable to do what it was supposed to do. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a reason. Alternate translation: [since it was weak]
Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result
διὰ τῆς σαρκός
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
This phrase states the reason why the law was weak. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a reason. Alternate translation: [on account of the flesh]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom
διὰ τῆς σαρκός
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Here Paul uses flesh figuratively to refer to sinful human nature. See how you translated the similar use of flesh in [7:18](../07/18.md).
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
τὸν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱὸν πέμψας, ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας, καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
This clause indicates how God condemned sin. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly, as in the UST.
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis
τὸν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱὸν πέμψας
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Paul is leaving out some of the words that a clause would need in many languages to be complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could supply these words from the context. Alternate translation: [having sent his own Son to the earth] or [having sent his own Son to mankind]
Note 11 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples
Υἱὸν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.
Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας
in in ˓the˒_likeness in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Paul is using the possessive form to describe the likeness that is characterized by sinful flesh. He means that Jesus had the same human flesh that sinful people have, although Jesus never sinned. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: [in the same flesh as that of sinful human beings]
Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας
in in ˓the˒_likeness in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of likeness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [in flesh like sinful flesh]
Note 14 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche
σαρκὸς ἁμαρτίας & τῇ σαρκί
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Here Paul uses flesh figuratively to mean “the whole body,” which is made of flesh. See how you translated this use of flesh in [2:28](../02/28.md).
Note 15 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
περὶ ἁμαρτίας
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
This could mean: (1) Jesus was sent for the sake of doing away with sin. Alternate translation: [in order to do away with sin] (2) Jesus was an offering to pay for sin. Alternate translation: [as an offering for sin]
Note 16 topic: figures-of-speech / personification
κατέκρινε τὴν ἁμαρτίαν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: τό Γάρ ἀδύνατον τοῦ νόμου ἐν ᾧ ἠσθένει διά τῆς σαρκός ὁ Θεός τόν ἑαυτοῦ Υἱόν πέμψας ἐν ὁμοιώματι σαρκός ἁμαρτίας καί περί ἁμαρτίας κατέκρινεν τήν ἁμαρτίαν ἐν τῇ σαρκί)
Here Paul speaks of sin as if it were a guilty person whom a judge could condemn. Paul means that God removed the power that sin had to control people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [he canceled the power of sin] or [he destroyed how sin controls people]
Note 17 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ἐν τῇ σαρκί
in in in the flesh
Here, the flesh refers specifically to Jesus’ body, which died on the cross. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [in his Son’s body on the cross]