SARX= Greek word for “Flesh” as in (Matt 26:41)

This word stood out to me this year as I read through the account of Jesus and His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Notice it is spirit with a small s, indicating it is not the Holy Spirit, but their human spirit. This word is used many times in the NT, especially by Paul in his letters to the church in Rome, and the churches of Galatia. Perhaps the scripture we think of first would be (Gal 5:19-21), where Paul lists what he calls the “works of the flesh”.

Sarx has a wide range of meaning, as used in the NT. According to “Vines Expository Dictionary” they include, but are not limited to, 1/ the weaker element of human nature, 2/ the unregenerate state of men, 3/ the seat of sin in man, 4/ the lower and temporary element in the Christian. These meanings listed for the word flesh sound very much like the description of our old nature, inherited from Adam. They are similar but not the same, a fact many people are often confused about. Let me state clearly that flesh as used here is not the same as our old nature. Much confusion could be avoided if we understand this fact. I’m sure you have often blamed some sin or “shortcoming” in your life to your old nature, as if it were still part of you. Remember what Jesus accomplished on the cross, as we saw clearly in Rom 6? Our old self, or nature, inherited from Adam “died with Jesus” on the cross! Now we can say with Paul “I have been (past tense) crucified with Christ” (Gal 2:20).

At no point in our life do we ever have two natures, an old and a new! Our old nature died with Christ on the cross, and our nature became new when we were “born again” in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17) We never have two natures at the same time! This teaching that a Christian has two natures, is false, and has been the source of unnecessary confusion, in my opinion. I know people who have used it as an excuse for sinning, by blaming their sin on the old nature, as if they couldn’t do anything about it. What they could, and should do is “reckon” themselves dead to sin as Paul clearly states in Rom 6, and make the choice not to sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit will always reinforce our will to make this choice! Our Creator made us all as unique individuals, with a free will to make choices. We can make right choices, or we can make wrong choices, but it is always our one true self that makes that choice. If we were two or more personalities, we could always blame our sin on one of our other natures. This is definitely not an option that is open to us. May God reveal this truth to your spirit, is my prayer for all of you!

Sincerely submitted.

Gramp