‘Flesh’ (gr. sarx) appears in three forms: sarx, which is usually translated flesh; sarkikos, usually carnal, sometimes fleshly, and sarkinos, fleshy. [Sarkinos appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 3:3] Like any other terminology, the word reflects a range of usage. For example the use of flesh in Jude 1:7 and 1 Peter 1:24 cannot refer to anything other than living human beings. [All Emphasis Added] Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going
after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 1Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
Whereas Jude 1:23 is not talking about sweat stains…
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Subtle Nuances There are many subtle nuances of the word as in… [Adapted and excerpted from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]
Ordinary Sense In a physical sense, the chief substance of the animal body, whether or not used for food and sacrifice. that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great. [Rev
19:18] and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh. [Rev 19:21 ]
The Term “All Flesh”
Flesh, as the common term for living things, animals and men, especially the latter And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect's sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days. [Mar 13:20]
often in the phrase “all flesh”… As Opposed to the Spirit
Flesh as opposed to the spirit, both of which were comprised in the preceding meaning .. [SARX: the psychological aspect of human nature; in other words, that aspect of human nature which is characterized by or reflects typical human reasoning and desires in contrast with those aspects of human
thought and behavior which relate to God and the spiritual life - 'human nature, human aspects, natural, human.' [Louw & Nida in Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament] See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. [Luke 24:39], It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, are life. [John 6:63].
All passages where the incarnation of Christ is spoken of. “The Word became flesh”; [John 1:14],
“He who was manifested in the flesh” [1Ti 3:16], Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [1 John 4:2],
The word in this sense approaches the meaning of “earthly life,” as in
But if to live in the flesh, --if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. [Phi 1:22], yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake. [Php 1:24]
Frequently the distinction is made to emphasize the weakness or inferiority of the flesh, as opposed to the superiority of the spirit .. The expression does not convey, as some have supposed, the idea of inherent sinfulness of the flesh (a doctrine borrowed by Gnostic teachers from oriental sources), but merely the idea of ignorance and frailty in comparison with the possibilities of spiritual nature. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. [Mat 26:41] For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. [Romans 7:18] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [Romans 8:1] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now
present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification. [Romans 6:19].
Similarly the kingdom of God, being a realm of perfect spiritual submission to God, cannot be inherited by flesh and blood Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [1Co 15:50)
Applied to the Carnal Nature Flesh in the sense of carnal nature Human nature, being inferior to the spiritual, is to be
in subjection to it. If man refuses to be under this higher law, and as a free agent permits the lower nature to gain an ascendancy over the spirit, the “flesh” becomes a revolting force who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things
which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [Colossians 2:18] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [1John 2:16]. For the mind of the flesh is death;
but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: (Rom 8:6 ASV) because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (Rom 8:7 ASV) note: The KJX translates the preceding two verses as For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [Romans 8:6] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [Romans 8:7]
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: [Rom 8:3], 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. But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. [Gal 5:17 – 18]
In the Sense of Relationship Flesh in the sense of relationship, tribal connection, kith and kin.
and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. [Mat 19:5-6] concerning his Son, who was
born of the seed of David according to the flesh, [Rom 1:3] That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. [Rom 9:8]
Other Meanings Some other subdivisions of meanings might be added, for example where “flesh” takes almost the place of “person,” as in For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as
many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [Col 2:1] i.e. have not known me personally For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, [Colossians 2:5] to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with
flesh and blood: [Gal 1:16].
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