Topical Encyclopedia
The term "carnally" in the Bible is often associated with the desires and actions of the flesh, as opposed to the spiritual or godly nature that believers are called to pursue. It is derived from the Latin word "carnalis," meaning "fleshly" or "pertaining to the flesh." In the biblical context, "carnally" typically refers to behaviors and attitudes that are driven by human desires and instincts, which are in opposition to the will and Spirit of God.
Biblical References:1.
Romans 8:6-7 : "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so." This passage highlights the contrast between living according to the flesh (carnally) and living according to the Spirit. The carnal mind is depicted as being in opposition to God, leading to spiritual death.
2.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 : "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?" Here, the Apostle Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for their carnal behavior, indicating that their jealousy and dissension are signs of spiritual immaturity and worldliness.
3.
Galatians 5:19-21 : "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This passage lists the "acts of the flesh," which are manifestations of living carnally. These behaviors are contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit, which believers are encouraged to cultivate.
4.
James 3:14-16 : "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." James warns against carnal attitudes such as jealousy and selfish ambition, describing them as earthly and unspiritual, leading to disorder and evil.
Theological Implications:In the biblical narrative, living carnally is often equated with living in sin and separation from God. The carnal nature is seen as a result of the fall of humanity, where the desires of the flesh became dominant over spiritual inclinations. The New Testament frequently contrasts the carnal life with the life led by the Spirit, urging believers to crucify the flesh and its desires (
Galatians 5:24) and to live by the Spirit (
Galatians 5:16).
Practical Application:Believers are called to examine their lives for carnal behaviors and attitudes, seeking to align themselves with the Spirit of God. This involves a conscious effort to reject the desires of the flesh and to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (
Galatians 5:22-23). Through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, Christians are encouraged to grow in spiritual maturity and to live lives that reflect the character of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) According to the flesh, to the world, or to human nature; in a manner to gratify animal appetites and lusts; sensually.
Greek
5427. phronema -- the thought (that which is in the mind)... be, be
carnally, be spiritually minded. From phroneo; (mental) inclination or purpose --
(be, + be
carnally, + be spiritually) mind(-ed). see GREEK phroneo.
...680. haptomai -- touch.
... haptomai Phonetic Spelling: (hap'-tom-ahee) Short Definition: I touch or handle
Definition: prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, knowcarnally....
Strong's Hebrew
7902. shekabah -- (act of) lying, a layer... Word Origin from shakab Definition (act of) lying, a layer NASB Word Usage
carnally*
(1), emission (5), intercourse* (1), layer (2), seminal* (1).
...2233. zera -- a sowing, seed, offspring
... Word Origin from zara Definition a sowing, seed, offspring NASB Word Usagecarnally*
(1), child (1), children (3), descendant (3), descendants (105), descent (1...
Library
"For to beCarnally Minded is Death; but to be Spiritually Minded...
... "For to becarnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace.". Rom. viii. 6.""For to becarnally minded...
Whether Irregularity Results from Bigamy, when one Husband Has Two...
... Objection 3: Further, it may happen that a man, before knowingcarnally the woman
he has married in law, marries another in fact and not in law, and knows her...
Whether Irregularity is Contracted by Marrying one who is not a...
... But sometimes a man marries involuntarily one who is not a virgin, for instance
when he thinks her a virgin and afterwards, by knowing hercarnally, finds that...
John vi. 53, 54
... His meaning is, "Ye must hear spiritually what relateth to Me, for he who heareth
carnally is not profited, nor gathereth any advantage." It was carnal to...
Satan's Wiles against the Truth How they Take the Form of the...
... his old (true) faith, teaching it after his renunciation of error; and there is
his own handwriting in evidence remaining among thecarnally-minded, [7776] in...
And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
... thine own house, whither to enter in thou by most violent humanity hast compelled
them, be laid hold upon by lewd men, and being deforced becarnally known as...
Felix of Bagai Said: "As when the Blind Leads the Blind...
... Does not the same apostle say, "To becarnally-minded is death?" [1657] and certainly
the covetous, the deceivers, the robbers, in the midst of whom Cyprian...
That the Law of Moses must be Spiritually Understood to Preclude...
... Himself says to the Jews, "Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for
he wrote of me." [1469] For by receiving the lawcarnally without perceiving...
Christ in the Synagogue at Capernaum. (John, vi. )
... The miracle could produce no faith in those who were destitute of a spiritual mind;
their enthusiasm,carnally excited, was soon to pass over into opposition....
The Passage in Corinthians.
... the Decalogue is called "the letter that killeth?" Because, forsooth, every man
that still observes that day in its literal appointment iscarnally wise, but...
Thesaurus
Carnally (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Carnally (5 Occurrences). Romans 8:6 For to be
carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (KJV WBS).
...Carnal (11 Occurrences)
... against God" ("mind of the flesh" the Revised Version (British and American), the
American Standard Revised Version, Romans 8:7). So, "to becarnally minded is...
Intercourse (6 Occurrences)
... Samaritans. (DBY). Leviticus 18:20 "'You shall not liecarnally with your
neighbor's wife, and defile yourself with her. (See NAS)....
Defiled (119 Occurrences)
... WBS). Leviticus 18:20 And thou shalt not liecarnally with thy neighbour's
wife, to defile thyself with her. (See NAS). Leviticus...
Carnelian (5 Occurrences)
Lies (208 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 "'If a man liescarnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged
to be married to another man, and not ransomed, or given her freedom; they...
Lie (291 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 18:20 "'You shall not
liecarnally with your neighbor's wife, and defile yourself with her....
Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... 3; Psalm 101:5 Proverbs 24:28 Jeremiah 22:13 Zechariah 8:17), or to lead him into
shameful conduct (Habakkuk 2:15), or to wrong him by lyingcarnally with his...
Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)
... DBY). Leviticus 18:20 And thou shalt not liecarnally with thy neighbor's wife,
to defile thyself with her. (See JPS BBE DBY). Leviticus...
Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 18:20 "'You shall not liecarnally with your neighbor's wife, and
defile yourself with her. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What is a carnal Christian? | GotQuestions.orgIs God sovereign or do we have a free will? | GotQuestions.orgWho am I in Christ? | GotQuestions.orgCarnally: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
