Paul's Use of the term "Flesh" in the New Testament
In the Old Testament, the word “flesh” is used in several ways. First, it is used to identify and distinguish differences between man and animals in comparison to inanimate objects. Second, flesh is referenced as meat to be eaten. Third, flesh distinguishes man from heathen unearthly gods. Fourth, flesh reflects the weaknesses, mortality and humanity of man. Fifth, flesh is used in speaking of the actual body and finally flesh is used as a synonym for the word soul.[1]
Paul used the word “flesh” when he was referring to the act of circumcision with regard to the Gentiles and the burdening of Jewish laws. He also spoke of flesh when referring to the thorn that was problematic for him in the physical sense. Paul used the term flesh with regard to ancestry and descendants. His use of flesh was also similar to the Old Testament when making reference to mankind. Paul used the term flesh when speaking of the human nature in its weaknesses.[2]
When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He wanted the disciples to stay awake and pray with Him. He knew that their spirit desired to resist temptation but his flesh (human nature) was weak. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).[3] I would use this text to explain to an audience that in our Christian journey, we too may have the desire to do what is right in the sight of God and that is His Spirit that resides within us. Nevertheless, we have to be mindful of the flesh that opposes anything of the Spirit in that it wants to do what is contrary to the will of God. “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:17).[4] Paul explained this constant battle that roars on the inside of man because they are like water and oil –they do not mix. This is why we must never rely on our own flesh but depend upon God to allow His Spirit to act as a weight that bears down on us to oppose the desires of the flesh that encourages us to sin.
When it comes to the use of the word “flesh” in modern terms, I believe that we can refer to flesh in the same contexts that the Bible uses it in with those who are Christians and well versed in the Word. However, when it comes to teaching the unlearned or unchurched about Christ, I would use terms such as nature, humanity, soul, and/or similar synonyms to help them understand what the Bible means when it refers to the word flesh. Of course, this would depend upon the context that the term is being used in order to rightly divide the word of God. The Bible lets us know that Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14).[5] This text can be used to apply to those who have not come to the full knowledge of God, the Bible, and such interpretations and would therefore, need further instruction to understand certain terms and phrases used by the authors in the Bible.
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