“3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1-2 told us that for those in Christ there is no condemnation for their transgression of God’s law. Verses 3-4 give us a look at the technical aspect of how Christ satisfies our condemnation for sin. The Old Covenant Law could not bring justice for sin. All that the Old Covenant Law was capable of doing was bringing knowledge of sin and condemnation upon the sinner. The law proclaims judgment and cursing toward those who live in disobedience to the law, but it does not, and cannot, bring forth that judgment or provide justice. What the law was unable to do, God did. (v. 3a) The text says that God sent his Son, Jesus the Messiah, in the likeness of sinful flesh, as an offering for sin. The phrase “in the likeness of sinful flesh” is not to indicate that Jesus was sinful (see notes on Romans 8:1-2), but that He was, in every way, made like us and He faced real and difficult temptations to sin.
“Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross.” — Philippians 2:7-8
“Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” — Hebrews 2:17-18
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.” — Hebrews 4:15
This was so that the law’s requirements would be fulfilled, something that no human who is walking according to the flesh (walking in sin) could do. (v. 4) Jesus maintained the law perfectly. Who did He do this for? For those who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. In other words, those who are walking by faith in Christ have had the law fulfilled in their stead by Christ. Those who walk according to their sinful flesh and those who believe they will attain salvation based on their own merits have not had the law fulfilled for them. This is paramount! If you are not walking in faith in Christ who saves, then you are still under the condemnation of the law and are living in sin! The Old Covenant Law cannot save, it only condemns. Only faith in Christ and His sacrifice for sinners can save you.
The writer of Hebrews confirms that the Old Covenant Law could not save sinners, which is why the Israelites had to continually offer burnt offerings and sacrifices. These things could not save them, but rather, they pointed ahead to a time when a sacrificial Savior would provide an absolute and lasting way of salvation.
“Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” — Hebrews 10:1-4, 10
To those gathered in the synagogue, Paul speaks of Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and the salvation provided in His sacrifice.
“Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.” — Acts 13:38-39