Sarx Although the Greek word sarx has usually been translated ‘flesh’, The KJV occasionally translates it as ‘carnal’ and the NIV has occasionally translated it ‘sinful nature’. Like any other terminology, sarx reflects a range of usage. [See Detailed Study]
A Couple of Questions: If Adam became depraved only after he sinned, then why did he sin before he was depraved? We sin, it is said, because we are "wholly inclined" towards evil and "utterly indisposed" towards good. That may explain why we sin, but why did Adam sin? Adam was totally hereditarily righteous, yet he still sinned
If we can inherit Adam's guilt, why not inherit the guilt of all our ancestors? And why can't we inherit righteousness too? Genesis 6:5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
This verse cannot possibly teach universal depravity. Verse 9 tells us that Noah was a righteous man and ‘walked with God’.. But Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and perfect in his generations: Noah walked with God. Gen 6:8-9
In any case if all mankind had been born "depraved" since the fall, then why would God suddenly destroy mankind at the flood? The reasons for the flood are very clear Genesis 6:5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
It was not that man was inherently wicked that prompted God's condemnation, but the fact that they were actually engaged in wicked deeds and acts, (God "saw" the evil).
Genesis 20:18 Genesis 20:18 For Jehovah had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
This verse does not say that He held the people guilty for Abimelech's sin since God Himself says in verse 6 that Abilelech did not sin. Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou has done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me. Therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
Calvinists fail to distinguish between spiritual & physical consequences of sin. Physical consequences do exist: pain in childbirth, swear in the field, scars of abuse. Spiritual consequences do not. [See Generational Curses]
Ex 20:5; 34:7; Deut 5:9 Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me, Exodus 34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. Exodus thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me; (All Emphasis Added)
“Apparently many in Israel believed that the sins of one generation were automatically and irrevocably passed to the next generation. They read passages such as Exodus 20:5 that says God is a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those that hate Him and they misunderstood it. They assumed Exodus 20:5 meant that if a father hated God so would his children, so would their children, and so would their children's children. If the father was guilty so were the children. What they didn't see was that Exodus 20:5 says that God punished the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation "of those who hate him". God's punishment of the generations was predicated on the presence of hatred for Him. If the pattern of hating God remained in the third and fourth generations so would the punishment. But if the pattern was broken so would the curse! Each person in each generation would be judged by what they did, not what their father had done. "The soul who sins is the one who will die."” [Also See The Cursed Doctrine of "Generational Curses] Listen again to Ezekiel 18:1-4. "The word of the Lord came to me: 'What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son - both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.'" Ezekiel 18:1-4. (Emphasis Added).
Ezekiel 18:20 clearly teaches that God will not hold the son guilty for the father's sin The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Ezek 18:20
Exactly what do they believe this verse is teaching? Is the guilt of sin only transmitted 4 generations? How can we be guilty of Adams sin? Will God condemn you to hell because your grandfather never repented of murder? Can anyone be saved if their father was a great sinner? Calvinists fail to distinguish between spiritual & physical consequences of sin. This verse is speaking of the physical consequences of sin not that the children are spiritually guilty of the father's sin. Addictions, various forms of abuse and laziness, the "cycle of poverty" are passed on from parent to child through a learning process not instinct.
Leviticus 12 A sin offering was made when a child was born, but a clear reading of the verse makes it obvious that the offering was not for the child but the mother.
Job 14:1-4; 15:14; 25:4 Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Job 14:1 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Job 25:4 What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Job 15:14
If these verses teach that a sinner cannot beget the righteous, then can a Christian (one who has his original depravity forgiven and removed as taught by most churches) beget the righteous thereby avoiding inherited sin? The fact is that the above verses do not say every women is inherently unclean or that man is born depraved, this is assumed. Jesus was born of a woman (Gal 4:4) and was certainly not depraved. There are examples where the Bible speaks of men as being righteous. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil. Job 1:1 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and perfect in his generations: Noah walked with God. Gen 6:8-9.
The word translated perfect means “without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely, sound, without spot, undefiled, upright, whole”. (Strongs). So Noah, born of a woman was considered by God to be ‘perfect’ or undefiled.
Psalm 14:1-3 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works; There is none that doeth good. Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God. They are all gone aside; they are together become filthy; There is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psa 14:1-3
These verses teach that all men "turn aside & become corrupt" not that they are born that way. There have always been the "remnant" of righteous in the midst of the wicked. The Psalmist is not classing himself among those who do not seek after God.
Psalm 51:5 The NIV's Calvinistic predisposition causes them to completely mistranslate this verse. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (NIV)
Compare this with Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. (ASV) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (KJV)
Whatever may be the meaning of this passage, nothing forces the conclusion that a baby is born with a soul already tainted by sin. Look at the dilemma if it does: (1) If depravity comes by inheritance through our father, then Psa. 51:5 is the wrong passage. (2) If depravity comes by inheritance through our mother, then Christ was depraved, Gal. 4:4! Two plausible answers may be given, but neither proves a child is born with inherited sin. 1.This verse may describe a sinful condition of his mother. If so, it would not prove the sin was imputed to the infant. Were the child to say, "In drunkenness my mother did conceive me," no one would attribute drunkenness to the child. 2.This may describe the general condition of the world. If so, it would not necessarily mean the infant inherited this condition. Were the child to say, "In a world of cannibalism my mother did conceive me," no one would conclude the child was automatically a cannibal at birth. He may later become one, but he must first be introduced to the practice. (Robert F. Harkrider. Do We Inherit Adam’s Sin?) See Original Sin and The Psalms
Psalm 58:3-4 Notice the words, "go astray from birth" not that they born that way. The whole implication of the Psalm, is that the righteous do not go astray from birth. V10
See Original Sin and The Psalms
Isaiah 64:6 For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (Emphasis Added)
This verse says that all have "become unclean" indicating that they were once pure. Notice "our iniquities" is the cause with no mention of Adam.
Jeremiah 13:23 They were accustomed to doing evil, it doesn't say they were born that way. A leopard is not held accountable for not being able to change its spots. If all men are evil, how can anyone be saved if they can't change. Yet Ezek 33:13-16 teaches that each man has the freewill to do good or evil and that he will be judged accordingly. When I say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his righteousness, and commit iniquity, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered; but in his iniquity that he hath committed, therein shall he die. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. Eze 33:13-16
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Says nothing about how the heart became deceitful... the point is assumed! Jer 17:23 says they refused to listen and wouldn't take any instruction, that is why they were "sick" Jer 17:23 But they hearkened not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction.
1 Ti 4:1-2 says that false teachers have their conscience seared .. 1Titus 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
Strongs says “From a derivative of G2545; to brand (“cauterize”), that is, (by implication) to render unsensitive (figuratively): - sear with a hot iron”.
Lam 5:7 This verse is talking about the physical consequences of "slavery", not spiritual.
Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.
Jesus tells us that men are defiled by what comes out of their mouth, what they say. That is very different from saying that men are born defiled. If man was born defiled, how could anything he said or did make it any worse? Jam 3:10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:1-12 says that the heart is capable of producing good and bad, unlike a fountain, fig tree or vine. This is very different from saying that the heart/tongue is totally depraved. because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. (Emphasis Added)
Rom 1:21 says that their heart became darkened because they "became futile" not because they were born that way.
Romans 1:18-25 This section says the opposite of being totally depraved and unable to comprehend spiritual things. These men knew about God but rejected Him, they "became futile" and their "heart was darkened". How could a totally depraved heart be darkened? These people rejected God by their own free will. They make themselves sinners, don't blame it on God! They were "without excuse".
Romans 3:10-18 as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God; They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not, so much as one: Romans 3:10-12
In Romans 3:10-12 Paul is quoting Psalm 14:1-3 which says The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works; There is none that doeth good. Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God. They are all gone aside; they are together become filthy; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.
A careful reading bears out that this quotation does not apply to an inherited corruption of nature existing at birth, but people who had corrupted themselves by wicked works. David was talking about the deplorable conditions existing in Israel... that the Israelites had come to their sad state by having "done abominable works," Additionally Paul says they "turned aside & become useless" not that they were born that way. Romans 3: 13-18 says Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Note the descriptions "Throat is an open sepulchre"; "Tongues used for deceit"; "Mouth is full of cursing and bitterness"; "Feet are swift to shed innocent blood." NONE of which can possibly be used to describe infants but can certainly be used to describe adults who have turned from God and gone into sin. The verse also mentions "tongues deceiving and feet that shed blood" Infants can do neither.
Romans 5:12-21 (12) Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned: (13) for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come. (15) But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many. (16) And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification. (17) For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ. (18) So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life. (19) For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. (20) And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: (21) that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Emphasis Added)
“Notice! "Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned." It does not say, "for that Adam sinned." 1) Death reigned ... even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression" (v. 14). What an unexpected place to find proof we are not guilty of Adam's sin. If we all sinned in Adam, then we would all be in "similitude" (likeness) of his sin. 2. "Life" in Christ is equated to "death" in Adam, 2) Life" in Christ is equated to "death" in Adam, a) Both came by "one" and abounded unto "many," (v. 15) b) "All men" are condemned as well as justified, (v. 18). c) "Many" are made sinners as well as made righteous, (v. l9).
3) This passage supports universal salvation as much as it does universal inherited depravity, but actually neither one is taught. It does teach that spiritual death was introduced into the world by Adam just as spiritual life was brought into the world by Christ. 4) If Adam had introduced measles into the world, it would not necessarily mean that all his descendants would be born with measles. To say people are born subject to sin is far different from saying people are born sinners. By Adam's sin conditions were brought about which make every person subject to temptation. By Christ's resurrection He brought about conditions which made every person subject to righteousness-but each is by choice, not inheritance” (Robert F. Harkrider. Do We Inherit Adam’s Sin?) Verse 12 emphasizes that spiritual death spread to all men because each and every man sinned himself. If a man didn't sin, then he wouldn't die spiritually. See If Adam's sin automatically and universally causes all mankind to receive condemnation for something they did not do or had any choice in, then Christ's dying on the cross also automatically and universally causes all mankind to be saved independent of anything they had done or choose. The truth is that all are condemned when they commit sin (V12) and all are saved when they obey Jesus.
Romans 7:22-24. Most churches teach that all depravity is removed when they are saved. Yet note the battle (Romans 7:22-24) between the evil "flesh" and the good "inner man/will/law of mind". If this section teaches inherited total depravity, then why does Paul, an apostle of Christ, still have it? For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? Romans 7:22-24.
If the "flesh" is depraved, then the "inner man" is not, otherwise how could there be a "war".
Romans 8:12-13 Notice that in Verses 12-13 Paul says we are under obligation to not live by the flesh but the spirit proving that we can choose and control whether they do good or evil. So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:12-13
A parallel to this is in Gal 5:16-23 where we are commanded to walk by the spirit and not by the flesh again indicating freewill. Paul forewarns the Christians not to "practice" the "deeds of the flesh" Also Note: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. Gal. 5:17
Once a person chooses to live according to the flesh, and let it dominate their being, permeate their every though and action, they "are not able" to subject themselves to the law of God. This does not at all mean that they are prevented from choosing to live according to the spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 1Co 15:20-23
It does not say "as in Adam all are dead or born dead" Yes all men die when they sin, just as Adam died when he sinned. "die" implies former life Notice "as in Adam" all die proving that every man is born pure like Adam was This section is parallel to what Paul said in Romans 5:12-21 (See above) If all men automatically die because of Adam's sin, then all men are automatically saved by the cross.
Ephesians 2:1-3 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest: Ephesians 2:1-3. [Emphasis Added]
The verse speaks of a lifestyle of practicing sin, "walked according to the world, living/indulging in lusts/desires of the flesh" It does not say we were born that way, only that we walked in sin. The sins mentioned were committed not inherited. There is some controversy surrounding this verse... Wayne Jackson says.. Note that in verse 1 the apostle plainly declares that spiritual death is the consequence of “your trespasses and sins” (ASV). Underline “your.” This emphasizes personal sin. We are not spiritually dead as a result of Adam’s transgression. Though the term “your” is not found in the KJV (following the Textus Receptus) it is amply supported by manuscript, version, and patristic evidence (cf. Expositor’s Greek Testament, Vol. 3, p. 283).
However it really matters not.. The verse simply says they were dead through trespasses and sin without a single reference to inherited sin. Adults who themselves sin are ‘dead through trespasses and sins’ and have to be ‘made alive’ through the new birth. Also In verse 3, Paul affirms that all of us “were. . . children of wrath.” The verb emetha (“were”) is an imperfect tense, middle voice form. The imperfect tense describes on-going action as viewed in the past. Thus, here it depicts the style of life which had characterized these saints prior to their conversion. Had the apostle intended to convey the notion of inherited sinfulness, he easily could have expressed that idea by saying, “you became the children of wrath.” Moreover, the middle voice implies these folks’ personal involvement in their sinful predicament. We might paraphrase the passage thusly: “. . . you kept on making yourselves children of wrath.” (Wayne Jackson. Ephesians 2:3 - By Nature Children of Wrath)
The phrase, "by nature" does not refer some inherited condition at conception, but a habitual lifestyle. Thayer, the Greek scholar, defines the word "phusis" (nature), "the nature of things, the force, laws, order of nature, a mode of feeling and acting which by long habit has become nature." If someone says, "Driving is second nature to me" we understand the meaning. The same Greek word refers to the Gentiles when they "by nature do the things of the law" This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Eph 4:17-19
Two chapters later (4:17-19) Paul says the cause was a "hard heart, callousness" and "giving themselves over" to evil without a hint of an ‘inherited’ nature. | 
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