in the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body of man and animals (Gen. 2:21;41:2; Psa 102:5, Psa 102: marg.); (2) the whole body (Psa 16:9); (3) all living things having flesh, and particularly humanity as a whole (Gen. 6:12, Gen. 6: 13); (4) mutability and weakness (2-Chr 32:8; comp. Isa. 31:3; Psa 78:39). As suggesting the idea of softness it is used in the expression "heart of flesh" (Ezek. 11:19). The expression "my flesh and bone" (Judg. 9:2; Isa. 58:7) denotes relationship.
In the New Testament, besides these it is also used to denote the sinful element of human nature as opposed to the "Spirit" (Rom. 6:19; Matt. 16:17). Being "in the flesh" means being unrenewed (Rom. 7:5;8:8, 8: 9), and to live "according to the flesh" is to live and act sinfully (Rom. 8:4, Rom. 8: 5, 7, 12).