1. sarx (σάρξ, 4561) has a wider range of meaning in the NT than in the OT.
Its uses in the NT may be analyzed as follows:
(a) “the substance of the body,” whether of beasts or of men, 1 Cor. 15:39
(b) “the human body,” 2 Cor. 10:3a; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:22
(c) by synecdoche, of “mankind,” in the totality of all that is essential to manhood,
i.e., spirit, soul, and body, Matt. 24:22; John 1:13; Rom. 3:20;
(d) by synecdoche, of “the holy humanity” of the Lord Jesus, in the totality of all that is essential to manhood,
i.e., spirit, soul, and body John 1:14; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7, in Heb. 5:7, “the days of His flesh,” i.e., His
past life on earth in distinction from His present life in resurrection
(e) by synecdoche, for “the complete person,” John 6:51-57; 2 Cor. 7:5; Jas. 5:3;
(f) “the weaker element in human nature,” Matt. 26:41; Rom. 6:19; 8:3a;
(g) “the unregenerate state of men,” Rom. 7:5; 8:8, 9;
(h) “the seat of sin in man” (but this is not the same thing as in the body), 2 Pet. 2:18; 1 John 2:16;
(i) “the lower and temporary element in the Christian,” Gal. 3:3; 6:8, and in religious ordinances, Heb. 9:10;
(j) “the natural attainments of men,” 1 Cor. 1:26; 2 Cor. 10:2, 3b;
(k) “circumstances,” 1 Cor. 7:28; the externals of life, 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 6:5; Heb. 9:13;
(l) by metonymy, “the outward and seeming,” as contrasted with the spirit, the inward and real, John 6:63; 2 Cor. 5:16;
(m) “natural relationship, consanguine,” 1 Cor. 10:18; Gal. 4:23, or marital, Matt. 19:5.” Vine?
1. sarkikos (σαρκικός, 4559), akin to No. 1, under FLESH, signifies
(a) associated with or pertaining to, “the flesh, carnal,” Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11;
(b) of “the nature of the flesh, sensual,” translated “fleshly” in 2 Cor. 1:12, of wisdom, in 1 Pet. 2:11, of lusts; in
2 Cor. 10:4, negatively, of the weapons of the Christian’s warfare, RV, “of the flesh” (KJV, “carnal”). See CARNAL.
2. sarkinos (σάρκινος, 4560) denotes “of the flesh, fleshly” (the termination —inos signifying the substance or material
of a thing); in 2 Cor. 3:3, RV, “(tables that are hearts) of flesh,” KJV, fleshly (tables), etc. See CARNAL.
Note: The adjectives “fleshly,” “carnal” are contrasted with spiritual qualities in Rom. 7:14; 1 Cor. 3:1, 3, 4;
2 Cor. 1:12; Col. 2:18 (lit., “mind of flesh”). Speaking broadly, the carnal denotes the sinful element in man’s nature, by
reason of descent from Adam; the spiritual is that which comes by the regenerating operation of the Holy Spirit.
The flesh can bring the body under bondage
1 Cor 9:27 Paul says “body” but the physical material of the body is incapable of sinning on its own.
Jack Hunter, in his “What the Bible Teaches” commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:27 states;
“By this he means the power of sin in his life.
The body is not the seat of sin as is so often said.
The seat of sin lies in the will.”
(Rom 8:6-7; Col 2:18; Heb 9:10 – the mind, the word for flesh)
1 Pet 4:2 man can live in the flesh for the lusts of men, or for the will of God
Gal 6:8 man can sow to the flesh and reap corruption or sow to the Spirit and reap everlasting life
The flesh will war against the soul 1 Pet 2:11
The flesh is opposed to the Spirit, as Gal. 5:16, 17.
Satan uses the flesh for his purposes. 1 Chron 21:1
What he appeals to:
pride
lust
pleasure
envy
jealousy
greed
power