The flesh spoken of here does not have to do with the head or the mind or brain in the head.
G4561
σάρξ
sarx
1) flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts
2) the body
2a) the body of a man
2b) used of natural or physical origin, generation or relationship
2b1) born of natural generation
2c) the sensuous nature of man, “the animal nature”
2c1) without any suggestion of depravity
2c2) the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin
2c3) the physical nature of man as subject to suffering
3) a living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast
4) the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.
G4561
σάρξ
sarx
1) flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts
2) the body
2a) the body of a man
2b) used of natural or physical origin, generation or relationship
2b1) born of natural generation
2c) the sensuous nature of man, “the animal nature”
2c1) without any suggestion of depravity
2c2) the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin
2c3) the physical nature of man as subject to suffering
3) a living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast
4) the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.
Interesting. Kind of like the text pneuma as it has a wide range of definition from a man's spirit, demons, Holy Spirit, vital principle, mindset, etc. and so the definition of the text is best given by how it is used in the verse.
I have a question for you. If God sent Jesus to destroy the works of the devil, why does He now approve the work of a messenger of the devil concerning Paul? This appears to me to be hypocritical of God.
1Jn_3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn_3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Would God keep the foot of pride away from Paul? Yes. Would God keep His followers from thinking highly than they ought to think of Paul? Yes. Then how?
Are there not sickness among the believers? Yes.
2 Timothy 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Is not sickness a work of the devil? That's debatable since we are living in a sinfallen world where sickness & death dwells and thus not solely an act from the devil to implement even though he can & does, but only so far as God allows it.
Is there not mental sickness as well as physical sickness? Yes. Okay then.
But that was not the case with Paul because God permitted him to suffer a thorn in the flesh by allowing a messener of Satan to buffet him to keep the foot of pride away, especially other believers from idolizing Paul.
God did not tell Paul to grin and bare it but gave him the answer to his question. All power, all might, all strength, all healing and deliverance, all grace...etc. is in Christ Jesus.
God is not limited in ministry as if only through healthy people.
1 Corinthians 9: 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
God was telling Paul how to walk in the power of His Spirit.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
God was telling Paul how to walk in the power of His Spirit.
I agree, but just as Christ is with us always to be our Good Shepherd to walk us through this valley of death, so can He walk us through any trial in life. That doesn't mean that valley of death will no longer be there nor that our trials will vanish into thin air.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Below, Paul was referring to his affliction of suffering need, but verse 13 is applicable towards any affliction.
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.