ISBE
Flesh in the sense of carnal nature (σάρκικος, sárkikos, “carnal”; the King James Version uses sarkinós in
Rom_7:14). Human nature, being inferior to the spiritual, is to be in subjection to it. If man refuses to be under this higher law, and as a free agent permits the lower nature to gain an ascendancy over the spirit, the “flesh” becomes a revolting force (
Gen_6:3,
Gen_6:12;
Joh_1:13;
Rom_7:14; 1Co_3:1, 1Co_3:3;
Col_2:18;
1Jo_2:16). Thus, the fleshly or carnal mind, i.e. a mind in subjection to carnal nature, is opposed to the Divine spirit, who alone is a sufficient corrective, Christ having secured for us the power of overcoming (
Rom_8:3), if we manifest a deep desire and an earnest endeavor to overcome (
Gal_5:17,
Gal_5:18).
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