The Disposition of the Believer

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:5-8, KJV)

οι γαρ κατα σαρκα οντες τα της σαρκος φρονουσιν οι δε κατα πνευμα τα του πνευματος το γαρ φρονημα της σαρκος θανατος το δε φρονημα του πνευματος ζωη και ειρηνη διοτι το φρονημα της σαρκος εχθρα εις θεον τω γαρ νομω του θεου ουχ υποτασσεται ουδε γαρ δυναται οι δε εν σαρκι οντες θεω αρεσαι ου δυνανται

The word "flesh" is used by the apostle Paul several times in the span of four verses (v.5-8). The Greek word, sarke or sarkos (σαρκος), translated "flesh" in English occurs in two primary cases throughout these four verses--the genitive and the accusative. In the genitive, the Greek word is sarkos, in the accusative the word is sarke. When the genitive case is used, the noun is possessive in nature, when occurring in the accusative it primarily functions as a direct object, receiving the action of the verb.

The noun sarke, by implication is used here to refer to human nature and is distinguished from the word, soma (or body); and is related (by affinity) to the word saroo (derivative of sairo), which means to brush or sweep, and haireomai, which means to take for oneself.

The etymology of the word provides us with a way to understand what Paul meant by flesh. Technically, this refers to the characteristic nature of sweeping towards oneself as much as could be taken for oneself. By using both the genitive and accusative cases, Paul brings the reader's focus to bear on the characteristic contrasts between a life that is spiritually inclined (v.9) against that which is of the old and sinful nature, which by definition is inclined to sweep towards oneself as much as could be taken for oneself, or doing things that benefit only the old and sinful nature.

Paul clearly states that such a disposition is antithetical and diametrically opposed to the Spirit of God who indwells the regenerated believer. Paul clearly states that such as disposition is enmity (echthra, εχθρα) against God. Paul here uses one of the strongest negative phrases (oude) "neither indeed can be", or "oude gar dunatai" (ουδε γαρ δυναται) to state the impossibility for the old nature to please God.

In verse 5, Paul argues using the word phroneo (φρονημα) which means mentally disposed (prone to), to bring the appropriate context and to set the principle believers ought to base their disposition on. They that mind, or a disposed to fulfill the desire that benefit only oneself will never please God simply because those that mind the flesh will never entertain the idea of pleasing God. This is why fulfilling selfish interests is sin, for the simple reason that the intent and disposition of those who are characteristically selfish, regardless of religious or pious packaging, will always think about their own interests above God's or anyone else.

Paul further states that if we are believers, then we ought to mind, or be disposed to matters that please God over carnal matters. We need to check our motivations and the intent of our heart. Whenever our actions sweep towards oneself as much as could be taken for oneself (be it activities, decisions, programs, finances, policy, etc.), Paul makes it clear that such a disposition cannot please God. The disposition of the carnal mind will always antagonize the life that wants to be governed by the Spirit of God.