A Good Word – σάρξ (flesh)

The word “flesh” (σάρξ) generally carries with it a negative connotation. This is certainly true at times in the writings of Paul (and others) where the Spirit is contrasted with our frail fleshly nature, prone to sin and rebellion against God (Romans 8; 2 Corinthians 10:3; Galatians 5:13.1 However, flesh more commonly refers to the human body or people in general (Luke 3:6; Acts 2:17; Hebrews 9:10; Revelation 19:18). I would like to focus on this usage.

This word is rather unremarkable. However, the word’s unique quality here is that it is applied to Jesus. Perhaps the most profound use of this word is in John 1:14 where John describes Jesus as “the Word” (ὁ λόγος) becoming “flesh” (σάρξ). You see, this otherwise ordinary reference to a human body takes on enormous significance when referring to God’s Son. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity and creator of all, became part of his own creation. The divine Son became a man.

Today, the main Christological heresy that we encounter is the rejection of Jesus’ deity. However, in the early Church, a major issue of dispute was Jesus’ humanity. This is understandable. How could the creator of this universe, one who has existed for all time, lower himself to such an extent that he became human like us? It is this illogical, or dare I say “crazy” concept, that highlights God’s great love for us. In fact, belief in Jesus’ humanity (as well as his deity) is an essential aspect of Christian belief. First John 4:2 states, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (ἐν σαρκί) is from God” (NASB). John goes on to say that denial of this truth demonstrates that one is not from God but rather is of the spirit of the antichrist (1 John 4:3).

Thus, this rather mundane word σάρξ is of crucial theological significance. Without Jesus’ humanity, he could not have accomplished the task that was set before him. Jesus lived a perfect life. He died in our place. He was the perfect sacrifice. Only a perfect “fleshly” person could fulfill this role. Further as a human, he could relate to us. Jesus is not some distant deity that commands worship from afar. Rather, he lived in our shoes, and he experienced our experiences (Hebrews 4:15).

Returning to John 1:14, I suspect that readers would have been rather shocked at John’s words. He just mentioned that the Word was God (1:1), creator and sustainer (1:3, 10), life-giver (1:4), and the light (1:4, 8-9). Then he tells us that “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (1:14; NASB). This is unexpected and extraordinary!