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The concept of Flesh in Christianity

The concept of "flesh" in Christianity represents various aspects of human existence, particularly focusing on the physical body and its inherent weaknesses. It denotes earthly desires, temptations, and the human condition prone to sin, contrasting with spiritual aspirations. The flesh serves as one of the enemies to spiritual growth, alongside the world and the devil, emphasizing the need for self-control and denial of physical impulses in pursuit of holiness. Ultimately, the flesh highlights the tension between the spiritual and physical aspects of life, requiring divine intervention for redemption.

Synonyms: Meat, Tissue, Substance, Muscle, Skin, Pulp, Body, Material

In French: Chair; In Dutch: Vlees; In Finnish: Lihaa; In Spanish: Carne; In German: Fleisch; In Malay: Daging; In Swedish: 碍枚迟迟

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Flesh'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This term is discussed in the context of inheriting the kingdom of God, with the text clarifying it refers to mortal bodies that will be transformed into incorruptible ones.[1] (2) Certain individuals have a negative view of this, asserting it is not worthy of resurrection or the heavenly economy due to its earthly substance and propensity for wickedness.[2] (3) This is where we are absent from the Lord, as long as we are in, and is mentioned in the text.[3] (4) An aspect of the body that the disciples of Valentinus wanted to exclude from salvation, and cast aside what God has fashioned, as mentioned in the text.[4] (5) The physical substance of humans, which is dissolved by the excess of light from God unless altered by divine power to withstand and see the light.[5]

From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary

(1) This refers to the physical body or the material aspect of existence, often contrasted with the spirit, and the relationship between them is a subject of contemplation and surprise in the provided text.[6] (2) This is a reference to a person's physical body, and it is where the mind and body can unite within the 'house' they share.[7] (3) The physical body, representing the material aspect of human existence, often associated with its limitations and imperfections.[8]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This signifies the physical body and its inherent weaknesses, and it is described as being prone to weakness and hindering the spirit's willingness, emphasizing the human condition.[9] (2) This represents the desires and impulses of the body, and the text cautions that actions motivated by these impulses will lead to corruption, which is a warning.[10] (3) This term refers to the literal meaning of the body, and the sins that are most closely connected with it, such as lust and drunkenness, which are eating away at the manhood of our race.[11] (4) The whole self considered as independent of God is what is meant by the term, according to the provided text.[12] (5) This refers to the physical body, and the text suggests that Christianity respects the body, and it should be kept pure, and the Christian must practice self-control.[13]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) The flesh refers to the physical body, and Christians are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh.[14] (2) The soft tissue of the body, which, along with the skin and bone, is affected by the gradual decay caused by the disease, representing the ruin of man by sin.[15] (3) This was the object of the purifying process, associated with sin, and connected to the earth color.[16] (4) This is what some walk after in the lust of uncleanness, as natural brute beasts.[17] (5) The physical body, which can be subdued to the spirit, and is a demonstration of the importance of self-control and spiritual growth.[18]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The flesh is referenced in the text as the concept in St. Paul's doctrine, and is considered an agency opposed to the spirit, with an active tendency towards death.[19] (2) This term is contrasted with 'spirit' and is often noted in articles that relate to the subject.[20] (3) This term is utilized in scripture to denote the substance of an animal's body, whether it is a human or an animal, according to the provided text.[21] (4) A term used by St. Paul to describe human nature that is associated with sin, but is not inherently evil.[22]

From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus

(1) This is something that does not profit anything, and the words that the subject speaks are spirit and life, according to the text.[23] (2) The flesh represents the physical and mortal aspect of existence, which, when born, results in something that is also flesh, contrasting with the Spirit.[24] (3) A characteristic that Jesus mentioned as weak, in contrast to the spirit, which he described as willing.[25]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) The flesh must be denied, indicating a renunciation of physical desires, prioritizing spiritual development and inner focus.[26]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) This is of a young ostrich, and it is said to be not unpalatable, but its being declared unclean in the Mosaic legislation may be ascribed to a twofold cause.[27]

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) The flesh is mentioned in the context of the fomes, and the text says that the fomes was not removed, and is also referred to as the law of the flesh.[28] (2) This term refers to the human body, and it is related to the question of how Christ's body was formed, and the idea that He was born of a virgin, so that it could be the flesh of the Word of God.[29] (3) A part of a person that is not subject to the law of God and that inclines to actions contrary to the Divine law, yet it is subject to the law of God.[30] (4) Within the context, this refers to the physical body, and it is explored in relation to the concept of original sin, examining whether the effects of sin are more pronounced within the physical aspect of a person.[31] (5) This is a term used to represent the physical desires and inclinations of the body, and it is a source of temptation and conflict in the context of moral behavior.[32]

From: The city of God

(1) This describes the descendants of Abraham, born according to the flesh of Abraham through his grandson Jacob, and the text provides more information.[33] (2) The text states that the Principle having assumed a human soul and flesh, cleanses the soul and flesh of believers, and that the flesh profits nothing.[34] (3) This is the physical part of a human that can lust against the spirit.[35] (4) This refers to the birth according to the common law of human generation, by sexual intercourse, as in the case of Ishmael, and is in contrast to the promise.[36] (5) This term is used in many ways in scripture, sometimes meaning man himself, and sometimes referring to the body of a terrestrial and mortal animal, but is not itself evil.[37]

From: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi

(1) The physical form, which, along with the world and the devil, deceives the blind, causing them to commit sin, according to the text.[38]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Second Helvetic Confession

(1) This is a reference to the powers of the flesh, which are not so efficacious that they wholly extinguish the work of the Spirit.[39] (2) This refers to the physical aspect of humanity, incapable of fully satisfying or complying with the divine law because of the inherent frailty that persists throughout a person's existence.[40] (3) This is denied certain foods during fasting, and is deprived of its fuel so that it may more willingly and easily obey the Spirit, as it is made more insolent by them.[41]

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) This refers to the human nature and the desires of the body, which can sometimes triumph over the spirit, leading to inconstancy, according to the text.[42]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) This is what the disciples forsook the lust of, showing a rejection of earthly desires.[43] (2) The flesh is the food that is being eaten by the youths, and the part that is snatched away from Tebreles, leading to the violent act.[44]

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) This is a food that was withheld from individuals and later allowed after a certain event.[45]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Gnostic concept of 'Flesh'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) This represents the Hyle, or the Hebdomad of Basilides, in the Valentinian interpretation of a Psalm, and is the base of the chain of being.[46] (2) The flesh represents the unrighteousness and ignorance of the world, not the physical bodies, which the disciples must overcome to understand the mysteries and gain salvation, which is opposite to the Race of the Mind.[47]

The concept of Flesh in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Flesh" signifies the physical body and its struggles, illustrated through Tortgyth's release from suffering, the abbess's daughter's ailments, and the broader notion of physical desires leading to sin.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England

(1) The flesh refers to the abbess's daughter, who was suffering from a grievous sickness, and the abbess wanted her to be the abbess in her stead.[48] (2) The flesh refers to the physical body, which Tortgyth was delivered from, indicating her death and release from earthly suffering.[49] (3) This term refers to the physical desires and temptations that can lead one to sin, and can take delight in sin.[50]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This and the devil are but degrees of difference from God Himself, and is a reference to the degrees of difference described in the text.[51] (2) The flesh is the physical body, and the author mentions the potential loss of personal identity, even in the flesh.[52] (3) The author wants to get rid of the thraldom of this, referring to the physical body and its desires.[53]

From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

(1) Refers to meat which individuals who have no kindness consume.[54]