FLESH

The substance of which the bodies of men and animals are composed. In the Bible, besides the ordinary sense, Job 33:25, it denotes mankind as a race, Ge 6:12 Ps 145:21 Isa 40:5-6; and all living creatures on the earth, Ge 6:17,19. It is often used in opposition to "spirit," as we use body and soul, Job 14:22; and sometimes means the body as animated and sensitive, Mt 26:41, and the seat of bodily appetites, Pr 5:11 2Co 7:1. In the New Testament, "flesh" is very often used to designate the bodily appetites, propensities, and passions, which draw men away from yielding themselves to the Lord and to the things of the Spirit. The flesh, or carnal principle, is opposed to the spirit, or spiritual principle, Ro 8:1-39 Ga 5:17.

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Flesh. Flesh
In the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body of man and animals (Gen. 2:21; 41:2; Ps. 102:5, marg.); (2) the whole body (Ps. 16:9); (3) all living things having flesh, and particularly humanity as a whole (Gen. 6:12, 13); (4) mutability and weakness (2 Chr. 32:8; comp. Isa. 31:3; Ps. 78:39). As suggesting the idea of softness it is used in the expression “heart of flesh” (Ezek. 11:19). The expression “my flesh and bone” (Judg. 9:2; Isa. 58:7) denotes relationship.

In the New Testament, besides these it is also used to denote the sinful element of human nature as opposed to the “Spirit” (Rom. 6:19; Matt. 16:17). Being “in the flesh” means being unrenewed (Rom. 7:5; 8:8, 9), and to live “according to the flesh” is to live and act sinfully (Rom. 8:4, 5, 7, 12).

This word also denotes the human nature of Christ (John 1:14, “The Word was made flesh.” Comp. also 1 Tim. 3:16; Rom. 1:3).

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FLESH. → FIGURATIVE
* Fruits of Ga 5:19-21

→ SYMOLICAL
* Body of Christ symbolized by the bread Joh 6:51-63

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flesh. Flesh, v.t. to initiate, establish, harden, glut, fill

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Flesh (?), n. [[OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl�sc; akin to OFries. flāsk, D. vleesch, OS. fl�sk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fläsk.]] 1. 1. The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles.
☞ In composition it is mainly albuminous, but contains in adition a large number of crystalline bodies, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also rich in phosphate of potash. 2. 2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish.
With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread. Chaucer. 3. 3. The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person.
As if this flesh, which walls about our life, Were brass impregnable. Shak. 4. 4. The human eace; mankind; humanity.
All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Gen. vi. 12. 5. 5. Human nature: (a) In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. Cowper. (b) In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality. (c) (Theol.) The character under the influence of animal propensities or selfish passions; the soul unmoved by spiritual influences. 6. 6. Kindred; stock; race.
He is our brother and our flesh. Gen. xxxvii. 27. 7. 7. The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.
☞ Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound. After the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner. “Ye judge after the flesh.” John viii. 15. — An arm of flesh, human strength or aid. — Flesh and blood. See under Blood. — Flesh broth, broth made by boiling flesh in water. — Flesh fly (Zoöl.), one of several species of flies whose larvæ or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle fly; — called also meat fly, carrion fly, and blowfly. See Blowly. — Flesh meat, animal food. Swift. — Flesh side, the side of a skin or hide which was next to the flesh; — opposed to grain side. — Flesh tint (Painting), a color used in painting to imitate the hue of the living body. — Flesh worm (Zoöl.), any insect larva of a flesh fly. See Flesh fly (above). — Proud flesh. See under Proud. — To be one flesh, to be closely united as in marriage; to become as one person. Gen. ii. 24.