Sarx when Referring to Jesus

The use of Sarx when Referring to Jesus

Two Examples

Sarx is one of two Greek words that are often translated “flesh.” The other word, “soma” refers to your physicality, your body. Sarx is different. Sarx also means flesh but sarx refers to the earthy mindset that tells us that our senses are the dependable way to live and respond to life. Sarx is the carnal or fleshly way of life as opposed to living according to the Spirit by faith.

Language usage is somewhat dynamic. In many cases we can gain from the context a good sense of what is meant.

Let’s look at Luke 24:39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you plainly see that I have.” (NASB 2020)

In Luke 24:39 sarx is used specifically of the physical body (sarx/flesh and bones) of Jesus. This would seem counter to the definition I’ve asserted above.

The choice to use sarx here is, in my opinion, intended to make clear that Jesus was both earthly and physical. In other words, it is a clear statement that while He is God, He is also fully human even to the extent of having human emotions, desires, and experiences.

Using soma here would, in my view, allow for some to argue that because Jesus is God, the travail He endured was not as grueling as it would have been for "a real human." It would make the statements in Hebrews 4:15 about Him having been tempted like we are and therefore able to sympathize with us into mere platitudes.

Similarly, in John 1:14 we are told, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NASB 2020).

Jesus came as a human person. He was not human simply in some intellectual sense. He was as truly and fully human. He was one of us in the manner of our earthiness, yet without sin of course.

As we learn in Hebrews 4:15, Jesus was tempted in all points just as we are. He had to deal with fleshly desires, just as we do. This is important because Jesus could easily be seen (as indeed the Gnostics did) as human in form only, and not in reality. This would minimize His sacrifice; it would minimize His sinless life, and it would minimize the cross.

And that is all I have to say about that.