Spirit, Flesh and Blood
By Dick Noel
I have always puzzled over the language used by the Apostle Paul in describing the Christian life. My problem came in reading 1 Corinthians 15:50. The language seems so strange.
NAU 1 Corinthians 15:50 “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
This raised a group of questions I will attempt to answer explicitly from the Word of God. I don't object to logic, as long as it is firmly rooted in the facts of the Word.
I listened to many people give explanations. They all seemed to partly answer my confusion, but not completely. Finally, I gave up on other people giving me a satisfactory answer. I decided to see what Paul and the other writers meant when they used words like “flesh”, “blood”, and “spirit”. I had already figured out that these terms occasionally were used in an ordinary secular sense. Other times they obviously meant something I was still missing.
My search began with a concordance. These words are used many times. In the Bible:
This could be a long study, so I will try to focus on the important points in a simple and practical way.
Context and other verses
Fortunately, only a few verses in the Bible use this special expression “flesh and blood”, let's look at them first for the overall context. Matt. 16:17; 1 Co. 15:50; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 6:12; Heb. 2:14
Jesus used the expression in Matthew 16:17
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Obviously, God is not “flesh and blood”.
Paul used the expression 4 times including the text I am concerned about.
Galatians 1:16 , “… immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia….” Here Paul seems to be referring to humans in contrast to God.
NAU Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places .”
Clearly this separates supernatural forces from humans.
KJV Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
This text tells us that Jesus participated in humanity, i.e . flesh and blood.
1. Why is inheritance so important? Who do we inherit from? How?
KJV Genesis 15:7 “And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.”
Clearly it is not a new idea for a human to inherit something from God. This seems to imply that God is the real owner or Abram could not inherit it from God. The fact is it is God's creation so He is the real owner. But…. The Hebrew language is really different from English in this text. The word translated “inherit” can mean: to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir.1
KJV Numbers 13:30 “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”
Here is another usage of the same Hebrew word. In fact, this is the more common usage of the word. Many other texts confirm that this word refers to “ possession” more than to what we call “inheritance”.
Another Hebrew term is also used. It has similar meanings. In the following text it clearly refers to what we call “inheritance”. However, the basic meaning is “possess”.2
KJV Psalm 69:36 “The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.”
The Greek word used by Paul clearly contains the same group of ideas as the Hebrew words.3 Clearly, it is impossible to force this text strictly into the mould of Western thought. We must allow for the idea of obtaining or receiving a possession.
Having gone this far, I still don't see the impossibility of possessing the kingdom solved, so I can obtain a place in the kingdom of God. Do we have to cease to be human to get into the kingdom?
Paul gives us a very unusual picture of the solution later in 1 Corinthians 15. He uses the language of putting on clothing. This language is used to describe us putting on immortality like a suit of clothes. He also calls this a gift from God.
2. What is it about “flesh and blood” that makes it impossible to inherit the kingdom of God?
To answer this question I am going to take you to the Old Testament to learn God's view of “flesh” and “blood”. Are you ready for a look into the Sanctuary of God? The sacrificial system tells us a lot more than we might expect about this question.
“Blood” is often used to mean “life”
NAU Genesis 9:4 "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is , its blood.”
The old hymn, “Cover with His Life” aptly puts the picture in focus. The imagery of the song is taken from Leviticus 17:11
NAU Leviticus 17:1 1 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” Emphasis mine.
Clearly, “blood” often refers to something very essential, “life”. What about “flesh?” Just before destroying the earth with the flood we read in:
NAU Genesis 6:3 “Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh;”
This sounds ominous. The story continues in verses 12,13 saying,
NAU “God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”
The issue is that flesh is corrupt from sin.
The sanctuary instructions help us understand how God deals with corruption of sin. It is important for us to understand one very distinct issue in Hebrew. Specifically, the word for “sin” (chatta'ah) is also the word for “sin offering” (chatta'ah). Thus, whatever happens to the offering is described as happening to the sin .
KJV 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him .
The sin offerings are described in detail in Leviticus chapters 4 through 6. Some sin offerings (specifically for Priests, or for the entire camp) had blood brought into the tabernacle. These offerings had all the flesh burned completely. The sin offerings where blood was not brought into the tabernacle were to be eaten by the priests after burning the fat.
Eating the sin offering was to show that the priests were bearing the sin of the Israelites (Lev.6:24-30;10:17). This load of sin was removed from the priests on the Day of Atonement by fire and banishment. Specifically, burning of the offering for the priests and the offering for the people was destruction of sin. The destruction of the flesh by burning was done outside the camp. Banishment is pictured in the confession of sin over the head of the scapegoat and expelling the scapegoat never to return.4
Before going any further I must summarize what I have just learned from the word of God.
3. What is the solution to this impossible situation?
KJV Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
Notice this text does not say that the flesh makes atonement. It clearly says the blood makes atonement for the soul.5 How is the blood used to make atonement? By sprinkling the blood. Sometimes it was sprinkled only on the altar of burnt offerings. Other times on the altar of incense, and on the Day of Atonement on the atonement plate in the most holy place.6
Note: The offering does not make atonement . After the offering is killed, the priest then makes atonement by sprinkling some of the blood and pouring the rest out on the ground.
WHAT IS ATONEMENT?
The Hebrew word for atonement means ‘covering' or ‘reconciliation'. The atonement is needed because of a separation that sin creates between humans and their Creator. See Isa. 59:1, 2.
NAU Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him , in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
KJV Ephesians 2: 12-15 “ remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity ,”
BLOOD BRINGS US NEAR TO GOD. JESUS' FLESH ABOLISHED THE HOSTILITY. HOW???
HOSTILITY is caused by our Sin. Jesus took on Himself our Sin in His flesh. He suffered the final punishment of the wicked for us thus abolishing our sins (Heb.10:10,14;13:12 ). The Sanctuary symbolized this in the burning of the entire sacrifice for the priests. Also, it is symbolized in burning the entire sacrifice for the entire camp. This burning was done outside the camp after the blood was offered for atonement and the fat was burned on the altar of burnt offerings.
NAU Hebrews 13:10-15 “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”
See also, Revelation 20:9, where the wicked are destroyed outside the camp of the saints.
What do we now know?
Having established the elements clearly, we now need to look at the process more completely. Who performs the atonement? At first this question may seem silly, but I believe you will find it very significant.
Nineteen times in Leviticus and Numbers we read, “the priest shall make an atonement.” The priest performs the process called “atonement” while the blood is the “value” of the atonement. I use the term “value” for lack of a better term . This is analogous to the price of a purchase.
This PROCESS is called “ministry” in 2 Corinthians . Paul calls it a “ministry of death”.8 This is because it brought the death of the sacrifices. Sometimes we are tempted to overlook the reality that it also brought about the death of Jesus. It really is death for sin and life for atonement.
This “Ministry of Death” literally ended with the death of Jesus for us. But make no mistake it was a very Glorious ministry. God's presence was in the sanctuary and manifested to the people so much that Moses' face literally shined and frightened the people.
A careful reading of 2 Corinthians 3,4 will show you that this ministry was replaced by the “ministry of the Spirit”. The priests of this ministry are all true believers with Jesus as the High Priest.9
The glory associated with our performing our priestly duties is much greater than the glory shown on Moses' face according to Paul.
NAU 2Corinthians 3:7-11 “ But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it . For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.”
This glory is like the experience of the transfiguration of Jesus. It brought light and hope to the disciples. It is also like the ministry of Peter such that people tried to even get in his shadow so they would be healed.10
KJV John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
KJV Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
The Hebrew word for ‘Spirit' is the same as the word for ‘Breath.'
KJV Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Clearly the Divine integration of breath/spirit into a body transforms it into a living soul.
KJV 2 Corinthians 3:6 “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
Changes in Elements resulting in changes in Process
Thus it becomes clear that in the sacrifices the sinner was offering as his substitute a symbol of Jesus. Jesus bore in his body our sins. We exchange our life for His life thus becoming a new creation in the Spirit. He suffered the wages of sin for us so we could be with him forever in the new earth.
The Bible teaches us to see ourselves as individuals, entire humans, i.e. souls. This is in contrast to the Greek view of humans as bodies with separate spirits. The Scriptures give a God-centered view of our existence. God is reaching out to us in our limited sensory-centered way of understanding. The Sanctuary teaches the Grace of God in the services. It focuses on God's intense passionate pursuit of an intimate relationship with humanity. Our problem is our sinfulness. The cure is freely offered. It is summed up in Numbers 6:23-27;
"Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites.' Say to them:
YAHWEH bless you and keep you;
YAHWEH make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
YAHWEH turn his face toward you and give you peace.
So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
Paul shows that this blessing is for all people who will receive it (Gal. 3:29).
NIV Romans 9:8 “In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."”
KJV 2Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
To receive the promise is to receive God's name upon us. Thus, we are His children. It would be absurd to do anything that would reflect on God's name so true receivers believe and obey God in the power of the Spirit.
Conclusion:
God has provided for us to replace our sinfulness with His righteousness by allowing Him to live in us through the Holy Spirit in Jesus. The only obstacle to our full reconciliation with God is our willingness to believe and receive this wonderful gift. This brings hope and confidence for the fullness of salvation provided freely by Jesus Christ. The power for living a victorious life is in Jesus.
“That the fellowship of your faith is energized by a perfect knowledge of what is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon 1:6 (my translation)
Footnotes:
1. 3423 yarash {yaw-rash'} or vrey" yaresh {yaw-raysh'}
Meaning: 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir
1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor
1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty
1c) (Piel) to devour
1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
2. 5159 nachalah {nakh-al-aw'}
Meaning: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion
3. 2816 kleronomeo {klay-ron-om-eh'-o}
Meaning: 1) to receive a lot, receive by lot
- 1a) esp. to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance
- 1b) to be an heir, to inherit
2) to receive the portion assigned to one, receive an allotted portion, receive as one's own or as a possession
3) to become partaker of, to obtain
4. NAU Exodus 29:14 "But the flesh of the bull and its hide and its refuse, you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering .
KJV Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
5. The soul is clearly defined by the Bible as the whole person. See Gen 2:7.
6. Lev. 4, 5 specify regular sin offerings. Lev. 16 specifies Day of Atonement offerings.
7. Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:6, 10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7; 12:8; 14:18, 20, 31; 15:15, 30; 19:22; Num. 15:25, 28