WG: Flesh
Overview
The "flesh" concept in the NT draws on a cluster of words ranging from the literal body to human nature in its weakness and moral fragility. σάρξ is the theological center; its cognate adjective σαρκικός, the body-word σῶμα, the life-substance αἷμα, and the desire-word ἐπιθυμία all orbit it in Paul's ethics.
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| G4561 |
σάρξ |
sárx |
feminine noun |
130 |
Flesh itself — physical, human, moral |
G4561-sarx.md |
| G4559 |
σαρκικός |
sarkikós |
adjective |
10 |
Carnal / pertaining to flesh |
TODO(need G4559 study) |
| G4983 |
σῶμα |
sōma |
neuter noun |
122 |
Body as organized whole |
G4983-soma.md |
| G4151 |
πνεῦμα |
pneûma |
neuter noun |
350 |
Spirit — primary antithesis to sarx |
G4151-pneuma.md |
| G129 |
αἷμα |
haîma |
neuter noun |
92 |
Blood — paired with sarx in "flesh and blood" |
G129-haima.md |
| G1939 |
ἐπιθυμία |
epithymía |
feminine noun |
36 |
Desire/lust — what flesh pursues |
TODO(need G1939 study) |
Relationships
Word Family / Cognates
- σάρξ (G4561), σαρκικός (G4559), σάρκινος (G4560) — all from the same root (sároo)
Co-occurrence (shared distinct verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| G4561 |
G4151 |
27x |
"flesh vs. Spirit" antithesis (Gal 5:17; Rom 8:4–9; Mark 14:38) |
| G4561 |
G129 |
11x |
Fixed idiom "flesh and blood" (Matt 16:17; Heb 2:14; 1 Cor 15:50) |
| G4561 |
G1939 |
7x |
"lusts of the flesh" (Eph 2:3; Gal 5:16; 2 Pet 2:18) |
| G4561 |
G4983 |
7x |
Contrast: "mortify the deeds of the body" / "flesh...through death" (Rom 8:13; Col 1:22) |
| G4983 |
G4151 |
12x |
Spirit/body interplay (Rom 8:10–11; 1 Cor 6:19) |
Hebrew Source Bridge
| Hebrew Word |
Strong's |
Bridge to Greek Members |
| בָּשָׂר (bâsâr) |
H1320 |
→ G4561 sarx (126 co-occ, score 30.88); → G4983 sōma (21 co-occ) |
Roles in the Concept
- Substance: σάρξ (G4561) — the flesh itself, in all senses (physical, human, moral)
- Quality: σαρκικός (G4559) — the adjective ("carnal"), describing what belongs to or is characteristic of flesh
- Embodiment: σῶμα (G4983) — the organized body as a whole; overlaps sarx but emphasizes the bodily unit ("body of Christ," resurrection body)
- Antithesis: πνεῦμα (G4151) — Spirit, the polar opposite of sarx in Paul's ethical dualism
- Substance of Life: αἷμα (G129) — blood, inseparable from flesh in NT usage ("flesh and blood" as idiom for mortal humanity)
- Drive: ἐπιθυμία (G1939) — desire/lust, what the flesh "lusts after" (Gal 5:16–17)
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together
- Rom 8:13 — σάρξ + σῶμα + πνεῦμα: "if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live"
- Gal 5:16–17 — σάρξ + πνεῦμα + ἐπιθυμία: "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit"
- Matt 16:17 — σάρξ + αἷμα: "flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father"
- 1 Cor 15:50 — σάρξ + αἷμα: "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God"
- Heb 2:14 — σάρξ + αἷμα: "children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py (G4561 G4983 G4151 G129 G4559 G1939)
Last updated: 2026-04-01