What does "crucify the flesh" mean?

Definition and Biblical Context

“Crucify the flesh” is a phrase that appears most directly in Galatians 5:24: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” This language is drawn from the imagery of the crucifixion itself—an intensely painful, deliberate execution method commonly used in the Roman Empire. In using this phrase, Scripture conveys the idea of putting to death the “flesh,” or the sinful nature, as an ongoing discipline and transformation in the life of a believer.

Scripture connects “crucifying the flesh” to genuine discipleship. For instance, Luke 9:23 says: “Then Jesus said to all of them, ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” This self-denial and “taking up the cross” imagery closely parallels the call to make a decisive break from sin.

Meaning of “the Flesh”

In the original Greek texts, the term “flesh” (σάρξ, sarx) can refer both to physical human flesh and to a broader concept of one’s sinful tendencies. Within the New Testament, especially in Paul’s letters, “the flesh” frequently denotes the fallen human nature inherited through Adam (cf. Romans 5:12–19). This nature gravitates toward sin and opposes the will of God.

Romans 8:7–8 states, “the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.” Such passages illustrate the depth of corruption associated with the flesh, emphasizing why the apostle Paul uses the strong metaphor of crucifixion to describe its necessary defeat in the believer’s life.

The Theological Concept of Crucifixion

In the first century, crucifixion was not only physically torturous but also socially stigmatizing. The Romans utilized it to showcase the absolute power of the state and to deter sedition. When the New Testament writers employ the term “crucify,” they appeal to the gravity of that penalty. This usage underscores that believers must handle the sinful nature no less severely than putting it to death.

Paul’s epistle to the Romans reinforces this point: “We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6). This text suggests that the believer’s union with Christ in His crucifixion leads to ethical implications—if Christ died to halt sin’s dominion, then believers are to live under new management, making a decisive separation from the patterns of sin.

Crucifying the Flesh in Paul’s Theology

1. Union with Christ

Throughout Galatians and Romans, Paul highlights that “dying” to sin occurs because believers are united with Christ in both His death and resurrection. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” The same principle underpins crucifying the flesh: believers are no longer bound to an existence ruled by destructive desires, because they have spiritually participated in Christ’s crucifixion and thereby received new life.

2. Walking by the Spirit

Immediately after urging believers to crucify the flesh in Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21) with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). The believer’s life is marked by yielding to the Holy Spirit, who empowers a consistent “putting to death” of sinful habits (cf. Romans 8:13). This does not mean deliverance from all temptation, but it does enable an active defeat of sin’s mastery.

3. Active and Ongoing Process

Though Scripture declares the believer’s old nature “crucified with Christ,” the New Testament appeals repeatedly to the believer’s personal responsibility. Romans 6:11 instructs, “So you too must count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” This verse shows that reckoning oneself “dead to sin” is an active stance rather than a one-time event.

Practical Application

1. Repentance and Renewal

Crucifying the flesh involves daily repentance: acknowledging wrongdoing before God and turning away from sinful desires. Repentance is woven throughout Scripture as a prerequisite to reconciliation with a holy God (cf. 1 John 1:9).

2. Spiritual Disciplines

Believers engage in prayer, Scripture study, fellowship, and worship as ways to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 26:41 instructs to “watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.” Such disciplines shape habits, reinforce faith, and starve the fleshly impulses that hamper spiritual growth.

3. Accountability and Community

Bearing one another’s burdens is a Biblical principle (Galatians 6:2). Trusted relationships—including the local church—encourage habits consistent with righteousness and provide support when temptations arise.

4. Evidence of Transformation

The visible result of crucifying the flesh is seen in changes in behavior, attitude, and lifestyle that reflect the character of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). While this may be gradual, it is discernible. Early Christian communities, such as those described by the Church Fathers (e.g., Tertullian, in his Apologeticus), bore witness to tangible moral and societal transformation, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in converted lives.

Historical Context and Symbolic Weight

1. Roman Crucifixion Practices

Tacitus (Annals 15.44) and Josephus (Jewish War 5.449–451) document the Roman Empire’s use of crucifixion as a form of capital punishment reserved for severe offenders. This cruel method magnified shame and pain. When Paul sets forth crucifixion as a metaphor for dealing with the flesh, he is invoking a notoriously final and irreversible act—intended to emphasize that the old, rebellious self has no room to linger.

2. Archaeological Discoveries

Excavations in Jerusalem (Giv‘at ha-Mivtar site) uncovered a heel bone with a nail dating from the first century. This find supports the historical reality of crucifixions in that era and testifies to the harshness of Roman execution methods. Such archaeological evidence corroborates biblical narratives describing Roman crucifixions, providing additional support for the cultural context in which Paul’s letters were composed.

Scriptural Reliability and Consistency

1. Manuscript Evidence

Ancient manuscripts, including fragments like Papyrus 46 (dating to around AD 200), contain substantial portions of Paul’s letters (including Galatians). These artifacts strengthen confidence in the reliable transmission of the text. Further, the Dead Sea Scrolls—while primarily containing Hebrew Scriptures—demonstrate the careful scribal culture among Jewish communities, illustrating the broad context of meticulous copying practices that influenced early Christian manuscript transmission.

2. Unity of Teaching

From Genesis through Revelation, Scripture consistently underscores humanity’s fallen condition and God’s redemptive plan. The concept of “crucifying the flesh” fits seamlessly into the Bible’s overarching message of deliverance from sin and new life in God. This alignment attests to the coherence of biblical theology: though multiple authors wrote across different centuries, their Spirit-inspired message holds a singular redemption thread pointing to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

3. Historical Trustworthiness

Numerous ancient historians (e.g., Josephus, Tacitus, and Suetonius) reference events and figures also described in Scripture. Archaeological findings—such as pilot inscriptions or the remains of synagogues from the time of Jesus—provide corroborative evidence that the events of the New Testament are accurately placed within the real world of first-century Judea and beyond. This historical grounding offers further assurance that Paul’s references to crucifixion drew on a well-known cultural reality.

Behavioral and Philosophical Dimensions

1. Transformation of Will

The concept of crucifying the flesh encompasses a deeper transformation than mere moral reform. It hinges on the renewal of a person’s will and nature. This resonates with philosophical inquiries into human behavior: external rules alone often fail to produce lasting change. A thorough change of the inner self—described biblically as becoming a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17)—fundamentally alters one’s motivations and desires.

2. Freedom and Flourishing

Paradoxically, biblical teaching argues that surrendering sinful drives leads to true emancipation. Paul articulates that believers are no longer enslaved to sin (Romans 6:14). Contemporary studies on habit formation suggest that deeply ingrained behaviors require comprehensive reconditioning. In Scripture, this is accomplished by divine grace working through the conscious “crucifixion” of the flesh.

Relevance for Believers Today

1. Daily Victory

Though the imagery derives from the ancient practice of crucifixion, the principle endures: each day, believers deliberately choose to reject sin and yield to the Spirit’s guidance. This daily dying to self may be described in modern terms as renewing one’s covenant commitment to live under God’s authority.

2. Encouragement to Persevere

Paul’s exhortations remind believers that, while crucifying the flesh can be difficult, it is ultimately an act of faith in Christ’s finished work. Scripture provides examples of believers (e.g., the apostle Peter) faltering yet returning in repentance to God’s grace. This realistic perspective offers hope and perseverance.

3. Impact on Witness

An authentically transformed life serves as a compelling testimony, especially to non-believers who observe tangible differences in conduct and character (cf. 1 Peter 2:12). Throughout Christian history, radical personal transformations have been a cited factor in church growth, seen in various revival movements and documented conversions where prior vices were replaced by a new, Christ-centered moral framework.

Conclusion

“Crucifying the flesh” represents a strong biblical directive for believers to treat sin as decisively and severely as Roman crucifixion treated criminals: something to be annihilated, not negotiated with. The phrase captures both a singular supernatural event—participation in Christ’s crucifixion—and an ongoing, daily process of forsaking sinful impulses.

Scripture presents the flesh as diametrically opposed to the purposes of God. By setting it aside through spiritual disciplines, repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit, believers experience a renewed life marked by righteousness and fellowship with their Creator. Archaeological finds and historical records provide firm context for crucifixion as a real and harrowing execution method, complementing biblical manuscripts that consistently teach the same message of redemption.

In short, to “crucify the flesh” is to identify wholeheartedly with Christ’s death, turning away from the destructive sway of sin, and entering into a life of victorious freedom and holiness. This call stands at the core of Christian discipleship, producing moral, spiritual, and relational transformation that ultimately glorifies God and displays the truth of the gospel to the world.