Crucified the flesh (5:24–26)

Says “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (τὴν σάρκα ἐσταύρωσαν (tēn sarka estaurōsan, “they crucified the flesh”), aorist). SBLGNT here has οἱ δὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ (hoi de tou Christou, “those of Christ”); the BSB’s “Christ Jesus” follows editions that add Ἰησοῦ (see τοῦ Χριστοῦ / τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ). “Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit” (πνεύματι καὶ στοιχῶμεν (pneumati kai stoichōmen, “by the Spirit let us also keep in step”)). “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another”. The wording is treated in The fruit of the Spirit, and keeping in step (5:22–26). Crucifixion with Christ is already treated in Crucified with Christ and, in another connection, in The mind of the flesh and the mind of the Spirit: the indwelling Spirit and putting to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:5–13).

Uncertain How the crucifying of 5:24 is to be timed is open. Burton, on 5:24, more guardedly, writes of “an act of no specific point of time, best translated by the English perfect” He also writes of “the death of Jesus on the cross which has impelled us to slay the power within us that makes for unrighteousness.” Calvin, on 5:24, also guarded, writes, “The word crucified is employed to point out that the mortification of the flesh is the effect of the cross of Christ.” He also writes, “The flesh is not yet indeed entirely destroyed; but it has no right to exercise dominion, and ought to yield to the Spirit.” These are their readings; no verdict is given.