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In Romans 7:5, Paul states that back when we (now Christians) were in the flesh (non-Christians), we were ruled by the sinful desires of the flesh that worked in our members (our body parts) through the law (the Old Covenant approach to God) to produce death. In 7.6, he says that we (now Christians) have been done away from the law (the Old Covenant approach to God) to serve God in the Newness (the New Covenant) of the Spirit and NOT in the Oldness (the Old Covenant) of the letter (the law). In the rest of chapter 7 (verses 7:7-25), Paul describes in much greater detail what he had originally stated in verse 7:5. He says that the more he tries to keep the law, the more the sin that is in his members (his body parts) forces him to do what is wrong. He can imagine himself doing what the law says to do (doing what is right); thus he serves the law of God with mind. But he can't get his body to follow his mind and to actually do it; thus he serves the law of sin with his flesh (his body). That is the Oldness (the Old Covenant) of the letter (the law) experience (Judaism). Then in Romans 8:1-15, Paul describes the Newness (the New Covenant) of the Spirit (the indwelling Spirit of God) experience (Christianity). He says that what the law could not do, God did by sending His Son in human form (in the likeness of sinful flesh), so that rightness of the law would be fulfilled in us (Christians), the one nots walking according to the flesh (not relying on the flesh, either its identity or its abilities), but according to the Spirit (relying on the identity and the abilities of the indwelling Spirit of God). Paul says in verse 8:9 that Christians (everyone who is indwelt by God's Spirit through belief in Christ) are no longer in the flesh (as in verse 7:5), but now are in the Spirit (as in verse 7:6). Paul goes on to say in verse 8:10-13 that it is by the indwelling Spirit of God that we (Christians) put to death the deeds of the body (the sinful deeds of the body that Paul describes in chapter 7, where he describes the sin in his members [his body parts] enslaving him to sin). Thus, the physical body is a body of death, as Paul says in verse 7:24. It produces only death. It's incapable of doing what is right. As Pauls says in verse 8:10, for Christians (the ones in whom Christ dwells), the body is dead (incapable of doing what is right), but the indwelling Spirit of God is life (capable of doing what is right). He says in verse 8:11 that the indwelling Spirit makes alive the body of death (the indwelling Spirit enables the sinful body to do what is right), and he says in verse 8:13 that the sinful deeds of the body are thus put to death by the indwelling Spirit of God as we rely on the Spirit to do this. Thus, the Spirit overcomes the sinful body for the Christian. In Galatians 5:16-24, the Spirit overcomes the sinful flesh for the Christian. I don't know why you have a problem with the idea that Jesus took human form (became flesh) and dwelt among us and redeemed us with the sacrifice of the body of his flesh, and that the human body is a body of sin and death, from which we are set free only by God's indwelling Spirit. But for some reason you do.

This is how it is for anyone who relies on himself for righteousness through the law (Judaism).

(ASV) Romans 7:5 For WHEN WE WERE IN THE FLESH, THE SINFUL PASSIONS, WHICH WERE THROUGH THE LAW, WROUGHT IN OUR MEMBERS [our body parts] TO BRING FORTH FRUIT UNTO DEATH.

(ASV) Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY FLESH [in my body], DWELLETH NO GOOD THING: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good not. 19 For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. 20 But if what I would not, that I do, IT IS NO MORE I THAT DO IT, BUT SIN WHICH DWELLETH IN ME. 21 I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 but I SEE A DIFFERENT LAW IN MY MEMBERS [body parts], WARRING AGAINST THE LAW OF MY MIND, AND BRINGING ME INTO CAPTIVITY UNDER THE LAW OF SIN WHICH IS IN MY MEMBERS [body parts]. 24 Wretched man that I am! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME OUT OF THE BODY [the flesh] OF THIS DEATH?-25 I thank GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST [Christianity] our Lord.-So then I OF MYSELF [self-reliance] WITH THE MIND, INDEED, SERVE THE LAW OF GOD; BUT WITH THE FLESH [the body] THE LAW OF SIN.

This is how it is for anyone who relies on Jesus Christ for righteousness through the indwelling Spirit of God (Christianity).

(ASV) Romans 7:6 But NOW WE HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE LAW, having died to that wherein we were held; SO THAT WE SERVE IN NEWNESS [the New Covenant] OF THE SPIRIT [the indwelling Spirit of God], AND NOT IN OLDNESS [the Old Covenant] OF THE LETTER [the law].

(ASV) Romans 8:1 There is therefore NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. 2 For the law of THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS made me FREE FROM the law of SIN AND OF DEATH. 3 For WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO, in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD, SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH [in human form] AND FOR SIN, CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH [in the body]: 4 that the ordinance of THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, who walk NOT AFTER THE FLESH [not according to the identity and ability of the human body], but AFTER THE SPIRIT [according to the identity and ability of the indwelling Spirit of God]. 5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: 7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: 8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But YE ARE NOT IN THE FLESH BUT IN THE SPIRIT, IF SO BE THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And IF CHRIST IS IN YOU, THE BODY IS DEAD [a body of death, as described in chapter 7] because of sin; but THE SPIRIT IS LIFE because of righteousness. 11 But IF THE SPIRIT of him that raised up Jesus from the dead DWELLETH IN YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead [HE] SHALL GIVE LIFE ALSO TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES THROUGH HIS SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN YOU. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if BY THE SPIRIT YE PUT TO DEATH THE DEEDS OF THE BODY [the flesh], ye shall live. 14 For AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THESE ARE SONS OF GOD. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

(ASV) Galatians 5:16 But I say, WALK BY THE SPIRIT, AND YE SHALL NOT FULFIL THE LUST OF THE FLESH [the body]. 17 For THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, and THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. 18 But IF YE ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT, YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW. 19 Now THE WORKS OF THE FLESH are [evil] ... 22 But THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is [good] ... 24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. 25 If WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, BY THE SPIRIT LET US ALSO WALK.

My point is that as Paul says in Romans 7-8 and in Galatians 5, the sin is in our "flesh," in the "members" (body parts) of our "body," and that the "flesh" is the physical "body," so when God sent His Son in the likenss of sinful "flesh," He became "flesh," taking the form of a human "body," which is what the Word (Jesus) becoming "flesh" (physically human) means.

(ASV) John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God ... 3 All things were made through him ... 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. ... 9 ... the true light ... 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him ... 12 ... as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, to them that believe on his name ... 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(ASV) 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life-2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us-3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us. Yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The Word became flesh (physically human), and He lived among them, and they saw Him and touched Him, the Only Begotten from the Father.

As Paul says, sin is in our flesh, in our members (our body parts), which is why the sinful human body is a body of this death described in Romans 7, in which, absent the indwelling Spirit of God, a person cannot help but behave sinfully.

The Word did not become thought and emotion. John says that the Word dwelled among them and that they saw Him and touched Him. The Word became physically human (flesh), and He dwelled among them, and they saw Him and touched Him.

Paul does not say that sin is in his thoughts and emotions, but that sin is in his members, and that it takes the indwelling Spirit of God to put to death the sinful deeds of the body (the flesh). He says that with his mind, he can imagine (thoughts and emotions) himself doing what is right, but with his flesh (his body), he cannot DO what is right. He says that, absent the indwelling Spirit of God, he himself (relying on himself) can serve the law of God only with his mind (his thoughts and emotions), whereas he cannot help but serve sin and death with his flesh (his body). But if the Spirit of God indwells a person, then the person can put to death the deeds of the body (the flesh) by the indwelling Spirit of God.

What you're saying is the opposite of what John and Paul say.

(ASV) John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Here, Jesus is talking about being born. Nicodemus asks how a man can reenter his mother's womb to be born a second time. Jesus answers that what is born out of the flesh (the physical human body) is flesh (the physical human body). This is what Nicodemus is talking about. Then Jesus says that what is born out of the Spirit (the Spirit of God) is spirit (the spirit as opposed to the physical human body). Here, it is clear that the noun "flesh" refers to the physical human body.

(ASV) Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Here, it is clear that what Jesus gave for us as a sacrifice was His body (His flesh).

(ASV) John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Here, in saying that the children of God are not born out of the will of the flesh (the physical human body), John is saying the same thing that Jesus does in saying that what is born out of the flesh (the physical human body) is flesh (the physical human body).

(ASV) John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(ASV) John1:14 And the Word became flesh (a physical human body), and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Here, John refers to the Son of God becoming a human being (a physical human body).

(ASV) John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

Here, Jesus states that what He is to give for us as a sacrifice is His flesh, just as He says that what He gives for us is His body. His body is His flesh. The flesh is the physical human body.

(ASV) Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me ... 9 then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By which [decision] we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Here, the author states that what Jesus gave for us as a sacrifice is His body, His flesh (the physical human body).

The Word became flesh (a physical human body)-what is born out of flesh is flesh-and they saw Him (physically), the Only Begotten from the Father, and He gave His flesh (His body) as a sacrifice for the life of the world.

If the Word had not become flesh (a physical human body), then He could not have given His flesh (His body) as a sacrifice for the life of the world.

The Bible:

(ASV) Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU: this do in remembrance of me.

(ASV) John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? ... 6 THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(ASV) John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I WILL GIVE is MY FLESH, FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD.

(ASV) Colossians 1:22 yet now hath he reconciled [you] in THE BODY OF HIS FLESH through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him.

(ASV) Hebrews 10:10 By which [decision] WE HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST once for all.

Jim:

Colin, do you at least agree with me that what Jesus gave for us on the cross was His flesh, and that His flesh that He gave for us on the cross was His body?