In or Of the flesh?

Two similar Greek words are used seemingly interchangeably to describe two very different conditions, (1) being a natural person, of the flesh, not regenerated, having no indwelt Spirit, and (2) being a person either unregenerate or regenerate being influenced by fleshly or non-spiritual attitudes and desires.

But Paul is careful NOT to use these two different words interchangeably, with #1 always used for lost unregenerate people and #2 always used for the persons influenced by their non-spiritual attitudes.

Lets look at some of Paul's uses of these words.

First, consider "Sarkinos" (G4560) as something consisting of unspiritual material - of the world or of the flesh.
Thus the word, when referring to people, always refers to those not indwelt with the Spirit of God.

Romans7:14
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold under bondage to sin.​

Some dispute this translation choice, believing Paul was not at the time described, still enslaved to sin, but rather was now a born anew bond-servant of Christ. However that interpretation is untenable.

1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, siblings could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as unspiritual also as to infants in Christ.​

Here again our word refers to Paul using spiritual milk to teach both the lost and immature Christians, as the unspiritual had no indwelt Spirit to discern spiritual solid food, and the immature new Christians had not yet learned enough from their indwelt Spirit to discern spiritual solid food.

Now lets consider "Sarkikos" (G4559) as referring to people whether unregenerate or regenerate influenced by their non-spiritual attitudes

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people?​

Obviously Paul is addressing born anew and indwelt regenerate people, who are still behaving like unregenerate people.

1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly influences that do battle against the soul,​

Here our "soul" refers to our born anew human spirit's core attitudes.

For additional study, refer to Romans 7:14, 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 3:3 and Hebrews 7:16 to see how
"Sarkinos" (G4560) is used. Also refer to Romans 15:27, 1 Corinthians 3:3, 1 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 10:4 and 1 Peter 2:11 for "Sarkikos" (G4559).

Only the unregenerate are unspiritual people of the flesh, whereas regenerate or unregenerate people can be "in the flesh" with their minds set on fleshly attitudes and desires.

 

Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit.

If we have our minds set on the flesh, we are under the influence of fleshly unspiritual attitudes and desires. The outcome of persistently living unregenerate lives in that manner is death.

Here careful study reveals an often seen agenda driven false viewpoint. Have you heard that the unregenerate are unable to ever set their minds on any spiritual things. The false claim is that Romans 8:5 is not speaking about how anyone can live their lives, but that the lost can only set their mins on the flesh whereas the saved can set their minds on either the flesh or the Spirit. Not how the verse reads.

To live according to the flesh refers to living under the persistent influence of unspiritual things.

 

1 Peter 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Here we see the phrase "in the flesh" possibly referring to having the mind set persistently on unspiritual things. However the same exact phrase in the Greek is used to refer to physically living "in the flesh." For example Christ lived "in the flesh." (1 John 4:2)

So when we see the phrase in scripture, we must carefully evaluate which meaning is indicated by the context.

Phlippians3:4
though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

Here we see the phrase used to refer to achievements recognized by the world, thus unspiritual influence.

 

John 3:6
“That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.

Here we see the phrase "of the flesh" referring to the unspiritual nature of humans that have not been born of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Here we see that the results of fleshly desires or the lusts of the flesh are spelled out. And note that we were precluded from entry into God's kingdom if we had practiced any of those sins before our salvation, and if we practice any of those sins after we professed Christ and think we were saved, we have another think coming.

On the other hand, once we were saved, born anew, and washed with His blood, when we stumble into any of the listed sins, God does not hold them against us, so our past, present and future justification makes it "just as if we had not sinned."

Some see practice as indicating a pattern and habit, rather than an occasional stumble. While I think that is true, because those born anew would be convicted by their Helper and strive to avoid the pattern of failure, I think perhaps too much is being read into the translation choice (i.e. the practice of a profession such as a doctor) rather than just an occasional misadventure. I keep thinking about "if you break the law on one point, you have broken the whole law.

 

Romans 8:3 (YLT)
for what the law was not able to do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, His own Son having sent in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, did condemn the sin in the flesh, ​

Here the verse, as presented in Young's Literal Translation - the one you may favor, Jesus was sent for sin, meaning for the purpose of setting those redeemed free from the penalty of sin, which is the separation from God due to our sinful unholiness. Note even those in Abraham's bosom were still separated from God in heaven.

This verse (Romans 8:3) uses "in the flesh" as in 1 John 4:2

"The Greek phrase sometimes is used to refer to physically living "in the flesh. For example Christ has come "in the flesh." (1 John 4:2) ​

 

Romans 7:5
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were by the Law, were at work in our parts to bear fruit for death.

Here "in the flesh" refers not to all of our physical lifetime, but only before we were born anew by the Spirit. Thus under the influence (much of the time) of our sinful fleshly lusts and desires. The idea of "by the Law" refers to being brought to light or our awareness being aroused by the Law.

Here the Greek word translated "flesh" is "Sarx" (G4561) and appears in the NT about 147 times, with Paul using the word about 93 times for a range of meanings. One of his main uses is to refer to our human biological mechanism, our flesh and blood body, but also to our physically driven behavior, such as the lusts of the flesh. (See Ephesians 2:3)

 

2 Corinthians 3:2-3
You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people, revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh hearts.

Here, again we have Paul using "Sarkinos" (G4560) as something consisting of unspiritual material, our heart of flesh, but altered by being written on by the Spirit of the living God.

 

Hebrews 7:16
who has become such [a Priest] not on the basis of a law concerning linage of the flesh, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

Jesus was not a Levi, but from the house of Judah, so His Priesthood rested not on bloodline, but on the power of an "indestructible life." See Psalm 110:4. Here "flesh" (Sarkinos" - G4560) again refers to the unspiritual nature of our biological linage. Thus we must be born anew spiritually, rather than having been biologically descended from biological descendants of Abraham. Behold, the New Covenant supplants aspects of the Old Covenant. We are a priesthood of believers!