Living in the Flesh by the Spirit
The Pauline View of Flesh and Spirit in Galatians
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
What does Paul mean by "the flesh"? There is a great deal of confusion among laymen and disagreement among scholars on this issue. Christians know that we are supposed to "walk by the Spirit" so that they will not gratify the desires of the flesh, but it is not entirely clear what these expressions mean. Furthermore, Paul can also be confusing when he addresses the Christian's relationship to the flesh--are we in the flesh or not? This book clarifies these issues for us by exploring the different meanings of "flesh" throughout the Bible, and analyzing the influence both of Old Testament conceptions of "flesh" as well as new salvation-historical realities on Paul's thinking, especially in the context of the controversy over circumcision in Galatians. By carefully following Paul's thought, we will also gain greater insight into other Pauline themes that intersect with his theology of the flesh: new creation and his view of this age and the one to come. Most importantly, we will discover Paul's own program for our spiritual transformation so that we may live a life of Christlike love and service despite the moral weakness of our flesh.
Endorsements (3)
“Brian Thomas competently addresses the subject of Living in the Flesh by the Spirit with fresh analysis of its biblical context in the light of current scholarship. His careful exegesis of the Spirit-flesh antithesis in Galatians shows that the strength of the Spirit in contrast to the weakness of the flesh will end in victory by the Spirit for believers who participate in the Spirit’s warfare against the flesh.”
“Thomas has provided a useful survey of how the concept of ‘flesh’ is used in the Pauline Epistles by considering its use in the Old Testament as a background and by proposing the theological framework within which it is used.”
“Here is a fresh contribution to the understanding of the flesh-Spirit antithesis in Paul’s theology. Like an informed tour-guide through the landscape of Pauline scholarship, Thomas offers careful and perceptive comments on the often complex semantic, theological, and exegetical issues surrounding the interpretation of Paul’s flesh-Spirit antithesis. In arguing his thesis, the author models an honest willingness to follow where the exegetical evidence leads, even if it means dissenting from widely accepted viewpoints.”
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