“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: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Romans 8:3-4 KJV
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3-4 NASB
There are wondrous truths found within the confines of these two verses. The wording exhibits how carefully the Spirit of God guards the truth concerning the person of Christ and how He reveals the blessings that have accrued to us.
Think of all that is contained in the words, “God sending His own Son.” There is the suggestion of His eternality and deity. The Son from eternity, the One Who was the “I am” before Abraham was born, was sent into the world to be our Redeemer.
“His own Son.” There is something touching and special about that expression. Not merely “His Son,” which would be mercy and grace beyond compare. But the addition of “Own” is a reminder of the unique and special relationship that existed eternally between Father and Son. A similar phrase is employed in verse 32: “He spared not His own Son.”
“In the likeness of sinful flesh” reveals His true humanity. He came as a real man, but as Mr. Sidney Maxwell used to quaintly say, “a real man but not a mere man. As much a man as I, but not such a man as I.” But then the Spirit so carefully guards His sinless person by reminding us that it was only in the likeness of sinful flesh and not in sinful flesh. He partook of humanity, sin apart. His impeccable nature is protected by the Spirit of God.
“For sin” tells us of the concern of the Godhead. The distance-causing issue of sin had to be addressed. Humanity could make no contribution to deal with this problem. The cost was born by divine persons. The entire issue of sin was dealt with at the cross. It was not just the punishment that sins demanded, but the issue of sin in our flesh, as well as the results of sin throughout the creation of God.
In the words of the author of Hebrews (the Spirit of God, once again), “He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb 9:26). The problem of sin – all its dreadful character and consequences has been answered.
Then we find that as part of God’s amazing plan of redemption, the righteous demand (singular) of the law is now fulfilled “in us” who believe – all made possible because of an indwelling Spirit that He has given to us. We are now empowered to bring forth the fruit of righteousness.
Paul has been carefully weaving together the story of God’s salvation. He has countered every argument a devout Jew might raise and answered every contingency with which an intellectual might challenge Him. Like a mountain climber, he has ascended to the peak of spiritual Everest, and in this Roman epistle has revealed how God’s masterpiece, His plan of redemption, has dealt with the barrier, bondage, bankruptcy, and barrenness that sin had caused.
Consider:
Notice how, in these verses, Paul answers all the problems raised in chapter 7.
Look for other instances of “His Son” and “His own Son” in the epistle.