"fleshly; pertaining to the body, corporeal, physical, Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11; carnal, pertaining to the flesh, 1 Pet. 2:11; carnal, low in spiritual knowledge and frame, 1 Cor. 3:3 (2x); carnal, human as opposed to divine, 2 Cor. 1:12; 10:4*"
Definition and meaning
fleshly; pertaining to the body, corporeal, physical, Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11; carnal, pertaining to the flesh, 1 Pet. 2:11; carnal, low in spiritual knowledge and frame, 1 Cor. 3:3 (2x); carnal, human as opposed to divine, 2 Cor. 1:12; 10:4*
In the original Greek the word is written: σαρκικός
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of sarkikos (G4559) across the King James Bible.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
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Common questions
Strong's G4559 (sarkikos) is a Greek word that means: fleshly; pertaining to the body, corporeal, physical, Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11; carnal, pertaining to the flesh, 1 Pet. 2:11; carnal, low in spiritual knowledge and frame, 1 Cor. 3:3 (2x); carnal, huma... It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word sarkikos (G4559) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4559 is sarkikos, a Greek word defined as: fleshly; pertaining to the body, corporeal, physical, Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11; carnal, pertaining to the flesh, 1 Pet. 2:11; carnal, low in spiritual . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
sarkikos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.