76. The Flesh

Romans 8:13; 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 5:19‑21  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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We have received two communications, one from “T. J. H.” and another from “H. J. T.,” each seeking light upon the same passages of Scripture, namely, Romans 8:1313For 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. (Romans 8:13), 1 Corinthians 9:2727But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27) and Galatians 5:19-2119Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19‑21). We have ever to remember, that though we are not in the flesh, as to the ground of our standing, yet the flesh is in us; and, if not kept in subjection by the power of the Holy Spirit, it will cut out plenty of sorrowful work for us. But, blessed be God, Jesus ever liveth. Here is our strength and comfort in all our conflict and exercise of heart. We can count on Him and find Him amply sufficient for the need of every hour.
As to Romans 8:1313For 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. (Romans 8:13), the Apostle states the great, broad truth, that to live after the flesh is the way of death, and to live after the Spirit is the way of life. It is worthy of remark, however, that the expressions, “Ye shall die,” and “Ye shall live,” are quite different in the original from what the English reader might suppose. The former is rendered by two verbs (μελλετε αποθνησκιν); the latter by only one (ζησεσθε). That is rather a contingent proposition, “Ye are about to die!” this, an absolute one, “Ye shall live.” In John 4:4747When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. (John 4:47), the nobleman’s son was “at the point of death” (ημελλε αποθνησκειν), the same form of expression as “ye shall die.”
We have already given our view of 1 Corinthians 9:2727But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:27). (See our third volume, page 221.) In Galatians 5:19-2119Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19‑21), the Apostle sets forth the moral features of the flesh, and declares that those who are characterized thereby shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the Christian is not so characterized, though surely, if not watchful, he will exhibit some of these hideous features. May we be kept ever looking off unto Jesus, that we may not walk after the flesh, or manifest its fruits! Our God has graciously given us wholesome words of exhortation and warning, and we should never think to take off their edge, by any system of interpretation that might tend to make out an easy way for the flesh. Every true lover of holiness will delight in the pungency and power of the Spirit’s admonitions.