flesh
- flesh
Part of humanity and not of God. Although the word,
sarx in Greek, is used in the literal sense of the physiology of the human body, or indeed of horses (
Isa. 31:3), meaning that they are mortal, it is also used sometimes of the body itself or of humanity in general. However, ‘flesh’ tends to have a connotation of weakness (
Ps. 78:39) or even of sin. ‘According to the flesh’ denotes inadequacy or failure (
1 Cor. 1:26 NRSV marg.). It is humanity viewed apart from God, and is to be contrasted with ‘
spirit’. ' fleshly descent from
David is less significant than his
resurrection by the Spirit (
Rom. 1:3–4). In the letters of Paul ‘flesh’ describes the works of the
Law (
Gal. 3:2–3) as well as persons who do not have the Spirit (
1 Cor. 2:12–3:4). Vices condemned as fleshly are not necessarily carnal or physical (
Gal. 5:20) but all lead equally to ‘
death’ (
Rom. 8:6) because they are egocentric. Christ, however, lived an entirely God-centred life while sharing real human fleshly existence (
Rom. 8:3).
Because of the width of meaning of the word, modern English versions resort sometimes to other translations: ‘human weakness’ or ‘unspiritual nature’.
Dictionary of the Bible.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
Flesh — (fl[e^]sh), n. [OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl[=ae]sc; akin to OFries. fl[=a]sk, D. vleesch, OS. fl[=e]sk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fl[ a]sk.] 1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
flesh — [flesh] n. [ME < OE flæsc, akin to Ger fleisch < ? IE base * plēk , to tear off > FLAY] 1. a) the soft substance of the body (of a person or animal) between the skin and the bones; esp., the muscular tissue b) the surface or skin of the… … English World dictionary
FLESH — (Heb. בָּשָׂר, basar), a word used both in the Bible and Talmud for mortal man and for the flesh of animals (for the latter aspect, see meat ). Eve is called by Adam bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh (Gen. 2:23), i.e., my close relative (cf … Encyclopedia of Judaism
flesh — ► NOUN 1) the soft substance in the body consisting of muscle tissue and fat. 2) the edible pulpy part of a fruit or vegetable. 3) the surface of the human body with reference to its appearance or sensory properties. 4) (the flesh) the… … English terms dictionary
flesh´i|ly — flesh|y «FLEHSH ee», adjective, flesh|i|er, flesh|i|est. 1. having much flesh; fat; plump. SYNONYM(S): corpulent, stout … Useful english dictionary
flesh|y — «FLEHSH ee», adjective, flesh|i|er, flesh|i|est. 1. having much flesh; fat; plump. SYNONYM(S): corpulent, stout … Useful english dictionary
Flesh — Flesh, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fleshed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Fleshing}.] 1. To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Flesh — is the soft part of the body of a person or animal which is between the skin and the bones. In ordinary speech, it typically contrasts with bone, as in the merism flesh and bone . It mainly refers to skeletal muscle and associated fat, though it… … Wikipedia
flesh — [n1] body tissue, skin beef, brawn, cells, corpuscles, fat, fatness, flesh and blood, food, meat, muscle, plasm, plasma, protoplasm, sinews, thews, weight; concept 392 flesh [n2] humankind animality, carnality, homo sapiens, humanity, human… … New thesaurus
flesh|ly — «FLEHSH lee», adjective, li|er, li|est. 1. of the flesh; bodily; corporeal. 2. Figurative. of man s physical nature; sensual: »pretty lyrics of fleshly love (Joseph Slater) … Useful english dictionary
flesh|er — «FLEHSH uhr», noun. 1. a person who fleshes hides. 2. a knifelike tool used for fleshing. 3. Scottish. a butcher … Useful english dictionary
