but Paul's description of flesh as "corrupt" is more to do with the fact that it's limited in life.
I think the overall tone of Paul's comments in I Cor. 15 and elsewhere display a strongly negative view of flesh. For example, in I Cor. 15:42-47 he draws a strong distinction:
flesh/physical nature (psychikos)
spiritual nature (pneumatikos)
sown
raised
perishable
imperishable
dishonor
glory
weakness
power
Adam
Christ
I think the fact that Paul uses the same word for "flesh" and "sin" is itself an indication of Paul's attitude towards flesh.
And then there's this (NRSV):
[I Corinthians 7:5] Do not deprive one another except perhaps for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self control. [6] This I say by way of concession, not of command. [7] I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind, and another a different kind. [8] To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. [9] But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
In the above, Paul encourages the reader to be celibate during periods of heavy prayer -- as if to say that even sex within the context of a marriage will somehow detract from one's dedication to God. He makes it clear also that he would much rather see Christians be celibate, but makes "a concession" in understanding that not all of them have the ability to remain celibate. Later he writes,
[I Corinthians 7:27] Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. [28] But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that. [29] I mean, brothers [and sisters], the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none... [31] ...For the present form of this world is passing away.
no subject
I think the overall tone of Paul's comments in I Cor. 15 and elsewhere display a strongly negative view of flesh. For example, in I Cor. 15:42-47 he draws a strong distinction:
I think the fact that Paul uses the same word for "flesh" and "sin" is itself an indication of Paul's attitude towards flesh.
And then there's this (NRSV):
[I Corinthians 7:5] Do not deprive one another except perhaps for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self control.
[6] This I say by way of concession, not of command.
[7] I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind, and another a different kind.
[8] To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am.
[9] But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
In the above, Paul encourages the reader to be celibate during periods of heavy prayer -- as if to say that even sex within the context of a marriage will somehow detract from one's dedication to God. He makes it clear also that he would much rather see Christians be celibate, but makes "a concession" in understanding that not all of them have the ability to remain celibate. Later he writes,
[I Corinthians 7:27] Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
[28] But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that.
[29] I mean, brothers [and sisters], the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none...
[31] ...For the present form of this world is passing away.