What does it mean that Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh?

from the old testament

• The statement about Jesus being found in the likeness of sinful flesh is in the New Testament.

from the new testament

• Romans 8:3–5 states, “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
• In general, when the Bible talks about “flesh,” it is referring to the sinful nature of humans. Since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), all people are born with a sinful nature by default. This means we all have an inherent tendency to sin (Romans 3:10, 23; 5:12). Being in “likeness” of something means bearing a resemblance to it. So, when Paul wrote that God sent His Son “in the likeness of sinful flesh,” he meant that Jesus truly came as a human. However, Paul used the word “likeness” to indicate that, while there was a real overlap, Jesus did not share our inner corruption. Therefore, He was like us in every human respect except for sin.
• His true humanity is affirmed throughout the New Testament. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things” (Hebrews 2:14), showing that the Son fully participated in our human life. He grew, suffered, and faced temptation as a real man in a real body. In this way, He is qualified to stand in for us as our representative and substitute.
• At the same time, His humanity was entirely without sin. The author of Hebrews also stated that He was “tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Paul, for his part, said that it was “for our sake [the Father] made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “For our sake” means that the Father counted Jesus as sinful so that He could punish Him, bringing salvation to us. That meant that His obedience and sacrifice could be applied to sinners (Romans 4:5).
• How could Jesus be human yet not sinful? The New Testament explains this by highlighting His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His birth from the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18–23). Because of this process, He did not inherit Adam’s guilt. This is why John could write, “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). Without losing His divinity—and, therefore, perfect righteousness—He added humanity. As the God-Man, He dealt with sin in His death, bringing all who trust in Him to life.

implications for today

When the Bible says Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh, it means He took on true humanity, entering our world, in every way like us, except without sin. This was essential for salvation. Humanity is guilty before God because of sin, condemned under His righteous judgment, and unable to escape by our own efforts. The law exposes our guilt but cannot remove it. Only a perfect substitute could stand in our place.

Jesus is that substitute. As a man, He could represent us; as sinless, He had no guilt of His own; and as God, His sacrifice had infinite worth. On the cross, He bore the penalty of sin, taking the judgment we deserve. His death satisfied God’s justice, and His resurrection proved that the debt was fully paid. Salvation is therefore not something we earn but something Jesus accomplished once for all.

To receive this gift, you must turn from sin and put your faith in Christ. Trust that His life, death, and resurrection secure forgiveness and eternal life. In Him, condemnation is removed, guilt is forgiven, and new life is given. This is the heart of the gospel: God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh so that sinners might be saved.