The term "fleshly" in the Bible often refers to the human nature in its fallen state, characterized by sin and opposition to the Spirit of God. It is derived from the Greek word "sarkikos," which pertains to the flesh, and is frequently used in the New Testament to describe behaviors, desires, and attitudes that are contrary to God's will.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Human Nature and Sinfulness: The concept of fleshly desires is closely linked to the sinful nature inherent in humanity after the Fall. In Romans 8:5-8, the Apostle Paul contrasts those who live according to the flesh with those who live according to the Spirit: "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" . Here, "fleshly" denotes a mindset and lifestyle that prioritize earthly and sinful desires over spiritual growth and obedience to God.

2. Opposition to the Spirit: The flesh is often depicted as being in direct conflict with the Spirit. Galatians 5:17 states, "For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want" . This passage highlights the internal struggle believers face, as the flesh seeks to draw them away from spiritual pursuits.

3. Works of the Flesh: In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists the "acts of the flesh," which include "sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like" . These behaviors are indicative of a life led by fleshly desires, and Paul warns that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

4. Mortification of the Flesh: Believers are called to put to death the deeds of the flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:13 instructs, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" . This mortification is an essential aspect of sanctification, as Christians seek to live in a manner that pleases God.

5. Transformation and Renewal: The New Testament encourages believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, moving away from fleshly inclinations. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" . This transformation involves a shift from fleshly to spiritual priorities.

Theological Implications

The concept of "fleshly" underscores the inherent tension between the sinful nature and the new life in Christ. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against sin and the necessity of relying on the Holy Spirit for victory over fleshly desires. The call to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh is central to the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discipline and growth in holiness.1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the flesh; corporeal.

2. (a.) Animal; not/vegetable.

3. (a.) Human; not celestial; not spiritual or divine.

4. (a.) Carnal; worldly; lascivious.

5. (adv.) In a fleshly manner; carnally; lasciviously.

4559. sarkikos -- pertaining to the flesh, carnal
... to the flesh, carnal. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sarkikos Phonetic
Spelling: (sar-kee-kos') Short Definition: fleshly, carnal Definition: fleshly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4559.htm - 7k

4560. sarkinos -- of the flesh
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sarkinos Phonetic Spelling:
(sar'-kee-nos) Short Definition: consisting of flesh Definition: fleshly, consisting ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4560.htm - 7k

4561. sarx -- flesh
... word Definition flesh NASB Word Usage bodily (1), bodily condition (1), body (2),
earth (1), earthly (1), fellow countrymen (1), flesh (129), fleshly (4), life ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4561.htm - 8k

That Perfect Love Mingles Nothing with God: and Why. And that it ...
... BOOK I CHAPTER XXIII THAT PERFECT LOVE MINGLES NOTHING WITH GOD: AND WHY. AND THAT
IT IS NEEDFUL TO LOVE: AND OF THE BLINDNESS OF FLESHLY LOVE. ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxiii that perfect love.htm

Whereas the Spiritual Relationship is Greater than Fleshly ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LIII. Whereas the spiritual relationship
is greater than fleshly affinity? Whereas the spiritual ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon liii whereas the spiritual.htm

Faustus Explains the Manich??an Denial that Man was Made by God as ...
... Book XXIV. Faustus explains the Manich??an denial that man was made by
God as applying to the fleshly man not to the spiritual. ...
/.../faustus explains the manichaean denial.htm

How a Man Shall Know when his Thought is no Sin; and if it be Sin ...
... sin thou art cleansed in thy baptism"nevertheless yet if this sudden stirring or
thought be not smitten soon down, as fast for frailty thy fleshly heart is ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the tenth chapter.htm

A Good Declaring of Some Certain Deceits that May Befall in this ...
... And as fast in a curiosity of wit they conceive these words not ghostly as they
be meant, but fleshly and bodily; and travail their fleshly hearts outrageously ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 3.htm

The Latest Improved.
... Eventually it worked a fleshly lust into his heart, and after two or three
years he was led into actual commission of a sinful deed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the latest improved.htm

Of the Sighings, Desire, and Meekness of a Perfect Lover: and of ...
... Truly the more I am lift from earthly thoughts, the more I feel the sweetness desired;
the more fleshly desires are slakened, the truelier everlasting are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxvi of the sighings.htm

That a True Lover Despises Worldly Things and Desires Heavenly ...
... MEEKNESS. Behold, thou wretched little man, how in the liking of fleshly
lust the cruelty of endless damnation sleeps. Therefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxviii that a true.htm

The Spirit and the Flesh
... it uses a great deal of cunning, and thought, and courage, to get itself food and
shelter, just as human beings do: in short, it has a fleshly nature, just as ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon vi the spirit and.htm

Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... matrimony. The first and most powerful is that which arises from fleshly
concupiscence; the second, from worldly concupiscence. ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the infirmity of.htm

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Carnal; worldly; lascivious. 5. (adv.) In a fleshly manner; carnally;
lasciviously. Multi-Version Concordance Fleshly (15 Occurrences). ...
/f/fleshly.htm - 11k

Aren't (102 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still fleshly. ... (WEB). 1 Corinthians 3:4 For when one
says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly? ...
/a/aren't.htm - 35k

Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as
there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't ...
/q/quarreling.htm - 11k

Ordinary (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy,
strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly...
/o/ordinary.htm - 12k

Insofar (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Insofar (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you
are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife ...
/i/insofar.htm - 6k

Factions (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Factions (5 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 3:3 for
you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy ...
/f/factions.htm - 7k

Material (61 Occurrences)
... For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe
it to them also to serve them in fleshly things. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/material.htm - 24k

Behaving (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Behave. Multi-Version Concordance
Behaving (5 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still fleshly. ...
/b/behaving.htm - 8k

Carnal (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Sensual; pertaining to the body or its appetites;
fleshly; sensual; human or worldly as opposed to spiritual. ...
/c/carnal.htm - 13k

Sensual (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Hence, not spiritual or intellectual; carnal; fleshly; pertaining to, or
consisting in, the gratification of the senses, or the indulgence of appetites ...
/s/sensual.htm - 11k

What is Carnival? | GotQuestions.org

What is the enemy within? | GotQuestions.org

What is the lust of the flesh? | GotQuestions.org

Fleshly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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