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NIV, Ro 7:
Was the word G4561-flesh always negative?
No, Jesus said in Matthew 19:
Not exactly. Paul used the term flesh here both literally (neutrally) and metaphorically (negatively). Compared to the spirit, the flesh is weak and tends to sin. Metaphorically, it represents the human fleshly and carnal sinful nature. More negative metaphors follow:
By flesh, Paul contrasted it with the spirit. In that sense, it is sinful by nature. In the literal physical sense of the word flesh, it is neutral and not necessarily sinful by nature, as Jesus himself took on flesh to become a man.
Christians often overload the concept of sinful nature. The phrase is not found in the Bible. I'd avoid it in argumentation. However, it is a nice shorthand notation to summarize the biblical teaching on humanity's inherent tendency toward sin. The concept is present in Scripture, conveyed through terms like sarx (flesh), palaios anthropos (old self), and lev/kardia (heart). Humanity is naturally inclined to sin, and redemption through Christ is necessary to overcome this tendency of sinful nature.
See also
NIV note: Or my flesh*
The exact phrase "sinful nature" is not found in any original biblical manuscripts. ESV:
On Biblehub, only 2 versions used 'sinful nature' while 36 said 'flesh'.
Was the word G4561-flesh always negative?
No, Jesus said in Matthew 19:
G4561 σάρξ (sarx), BDAG:
The lexical definition of sarx is morally neutral. However, the word was often used in contrast to the spirit. Matthew 26:
Paul used "spirit" 22 times and "flesh" 14 times in Romans 8:
Is our flesh sinful by nature?
Not exactly. Paul used the term flesh here both literally (neutrally) and metaphorically (negatively). Compared to the spirit, the flesh is weak and tends to sin. Metaphorically, it represents the human fleshly and carnal sinful nature. More negative metaphors follow:
Why was the flesh sinful by nature?
By flesh, Paul contrasted it with the spirit. In that sense, it is sinful by nature. In the literal physical sense of the word flesh, it is neutral and not necessarily sinful by nature, as Jesus himself took on flesh to become a man.
Christians often overload the concept of sinful nature. The phrase is not found in the Bible. I'd avoid it in argumentation. However, it is a nice shorthand notation to summarize the biblical teaching on humanity's inherent tendency toward sin. The concept is present in Scripture, conveyed through terms like sarx (flesh), palaios anthropos (old self), and lev/kardia (heart). Humanity is naturally inclined to sin, and redemption through Christ is necessary to overcome this tendency of sinful nature.
See also
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