Flesh VS The Spirit

 

Flesh VS The Spirit

Galatians 3:2 I would like to ask you this: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Galatians 3:5 So then, who abundantly supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

 

Comparison Items	Flesh	The Spirit	Related Scriptures
Basic Definition	The totality of fallen tripartite man (body, soul, spirit)	The ultimate realization of the processed Triune God	Gal 3:3
Essential Nature	Belongs to sin and death	Belongs to life	Gal 3:3; Rom 8:6
Scope	The entire fallen man (not just the body)	The entire Triune God (Father, Son, Spirit processed)	Gal 5:19-21
Character	Condemned and rejected	The resurrected Christ, the life-giving Spirit	Gal 1:16, 2:16, 5:24
Origin	Fallen humanity	The Triune God processed through incarnation, human living, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension	Gal 4:4-6
Tendency	Tends toward law-keeping, tested by law	Received and enjoyed based on faith	Gal 3:2-3; 5:18
Expression	The ultimate expression of fallen, tripartite man	The ultimate realization of the processed Triune God	Gal 5:16-17
Mode of Operation	By effort, works, law-keeping	By faith, grace, life	Gal 2:16; 3:11
Final Result	Sin and death, corruption	Life and peace, eternal life	Gal 6:8; Rom 8:6
Body-related Works	Fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, drunkenness	-	Gal 5:19-21
Soul-related Works	Hatred, strife, anger, divisions	Love, joy, peace	Gal 5:20, 22
Spirit-related Works	Idolatry, sorcery	Faithfulness, meekness, self-control	Gal 5:20, 22-23
Life Qualities	Death, corruption, vanity	Love, joy, peace	Gal 5:22; 6:8
Character Qualities	Selfishness, pride, jealousy	Long-suffering, kindness, goodness	Gal 5:22
Spiritual Qualities	Rebellion, unbelief, licentiousness	Faithfulness, meekness, self-control	Gal 5:22-23
Chapter 1 Contrast	Did not confer with flesh and blood	God was pleased to reveal His Son in me	Gal 1:16
Chapter 2 Contrast	Not justified by works of law	Christ lives in me	Gal 2:16, 20
Chapter 3 Contrast	Perfected by flesh (impossible)	Begun and perfected by the Spirit	Gal 3:3
Chapter 4 Contrast	Born according to flesh (Ishmael)	Born according to Spirit (Isaac)	Gal 4:23, 29
Chapter 5 Contrast	Lust and works of flesh	Fruit and leading of the Spirit	Gal 5:16-17, 19, 22, 25
Chapter 6 Contrast	Sowing to flesh reaps corruption	Sowing to Spirit reaps eternal life	Gal 6:8, 12-13
In Salvation	By works, law-keeping (ineffective)	By faith, grace (effective)	Gal 2:16; 3:11
In Sanctification	By self-effort (failure)	By depending on Spirit's power (success)	Gal 3:3; 5:16
In Service	By natural ability, fleshly strength	By Spirit's gifts and power	Gal 6:12-13
In Relationships	By natural affection, emotion, self	By love, truth, Christ	Gal 5:15, 26
In Decision-making	By reasoning, experience, tradition	Seeking Spirit's guidance, God's will	Gal 5:18, 25
In Spiritual Warfare	Using worldly methods, human wisdom	Using spiritual weapons, God's power	Gal 6:17
Position in Redemption	Object to be crucified and eliminated	Power for regeneration and renewal	Gal 2:20; 5:24
Position in Sanctification	Old man that needs to be put to death	Power for fruit-bearing and transformation	Gal 5:24; 5:22
Position in Building	Factor of destruction and division	Foundation for unity and building	Gal 5:15; 5:22
Position in Eternity	Completely removed, no longer existing	Eternal life and glory	Gal 6:8
Key Scripture 1	"Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"	Should begin and be perfected by the Spirit	Gal 3:3
Key Scripture 2	The lust of the flesh is against the Spirit	Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the lust of the flesh	Gal 5:16-17
Key Scripture 3	Sowing to his own flesh reaps corruption from the flesh	Sowing to the Spirit reaps eternal life from the Spirit	Gal 6:8
Relationship with Christ	Flesh is the "I", the old man	The Spirit is Christ, the new man	Gal 2:20
Relationship with God's Economy	That from which we need to be saved	The goal and reality of God's economy	Entire book theme
Summary Points	The totality of fallen tripartite man, condemned and rejected, unable to fulfill God's will	The realization of processed Triune God, the resurrected Christ, enabling us to partake of God's rich blessing	Gal 3:3; 6:8

  

This comparison chart reveals Paul's core message in Galatians: 

Since we began in the Spirit, we must also be perfected in the Spirit and not return to the ways of the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit are two diametrically opposed categories, representing the fundamental difference between fallen humanity and resurrected divinity.

 

*See Life-study of Galatians, Chapter 16, "The Spirit Versus the Flesh."