ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ (kata_sarka) — Lexarithmos 644 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

The phrase "kata sarka" (κατὰ σάρκα) constitutes a complex theological term, primarily in Pauline theology, describing a state of existence and behavior determined by human, material, and finite nature, often with a negative connotation. It does not merely refer to the physical body, but to the human existence as a whole, which, after the Fall, is under the dominion of sin and mortality.

In classical Greek, the preposition "kata" (κατά) with the genitive or accusative had various meanings ("according to," "down from," "against"). "Sarx" (σάρξ) primarily meant flesh or body. The synthesis of these concepts in the New Testament, especially in Paul's epistles, imbued the phrase with a new, profound theological dimension. It is not simply "according to the body," but "according to fallen human nature," which opposes the Spirit of God.

This "fleshly" existence is characterized by an inability to understand or fulfill God's will, leading to actions contrary to spiritual life. Paul uses the phrase to distinguish between a life guided by human desires and weaknesses (kata sarka) and a life guided by the Holy Spirit (kata pneuma), as notably seen in Romans 8.

Etymology

kata sarka ← kata (preposition) + sarx (noun)

The phrase "kata sarka" is composed of the preposition "kata" and the noun "sarx." The preposition "kata" derives from an Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language, with an initial meaning of "down from" or "against," but also "according to." The noun "sarx" (flesh, body) also stems from an Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language. The combination of these two words, particularly in Koine Greek, created a new conceptual unit with a more specific theological meaning.

The etymological connection of the phrase lies in the interaction of its two components. The preposition "kata" appears in countless compound words (e.g., katabainō, katabolē), conveying the sense of downward movement, completion, or agreement. The noun "sarx" generates a family of words related to the body and material nature (e.g., sarkinos, sarkikos, sarkoō), which in Christian literature often acquire a moral or theological dimension.

Main Meanings

According to human, natural nature — The basic meaning, referring to existence and action based on human characteristics, without divine intervention. (Romans 1:3)
According to fallen, sinful nature — The most frequent theological use in Paul, where "sarx" represents human nature subjected to sin and opposed to the Spirit. (Romans 8:4-5)
In an external, superficial manner — Refers to an approach based on outward criteria or human estimations, not on spiritual understanding. (2 Corinthians 10:2)
In a material, worldly way — Describes a life or thought oriented towards material possessions, desires, and worldly values, in contrast to spiritual ones. (1 Corinthians 3:3)
By human origin or kinship — In some contexts, the phrase can refer to human ancestry or familial ties. (Romans 9:3, "my kinsmen according to the flesh")
With weakness or limitations — Implies the weakness or limitations imposed by human nature, in contrast to the power of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:17)

Word Family

sark- (root of the noun sarx) and kata- (preposition)

The phrase "kata sarka" consists of two main elements: the preposition "kata" and the root "sark-". The root "sark-" refers to material, bodily nature and is an Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language. The preposition "kata" specifies relation or direction. The family of words derived from the root "sark-" explores various aspects of physicality and material existence, while "kata" forms compounds denoting agreement, opposition, or downward movement, enriching the meaning of flesh with ethical and theological dimensions.

σάρξ ἡ · noun · lex. 361

The basic noun, meaning "flesh, body." In the New Testament, beyond its physical sense, it acquires theological significance as human nature in its weakness, subject to sin. (Romans 7:18)

κατά preposition · lex. 322

The preposition "kata" has various meanings: "according to," "down from," "against." In the phrase "kata sarka," it denotes reference to or dominion by the flesh. (Plato, Republic)

σάρκινος adjective · lex. 651

"Of flesh, fleshly, material." Refers to something made of flesh or having the nature of flesh. In Paul, it can imply human weakness. (2 Corinthians 3:3)

σαρκικός adjective · lex. 641

"That which belongs to the flesh, carnal, worldly." Has a stronger ethical and theological connotation than sarkinos, describing a life guided by the desires of the flesh. (1 Corinthians 3:3)

σαρκόω verb · lex. 1191

"To make flesh, to incarnate." An important verb in Christian theology, especially for the incarnation of Christ, where the Word became flesh. (John 1:14)

σάρκωσις ἡ · noun · lex. 1531

"The act of becoming flesh, incarnation." The technical term for the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where the divine nature unites with the human. (Patristic literature)

ἀσάρκος adjective · lex. 592

"Without flesh, bodiless, immaterial." Used to describe spiritual entities or the state before incarnation. (Plato, Timaeus)

ἔνσαρκος adjective · lex. 646

"That which is in the flesh, incarnate." Opposite of asarkos, it describes existence in bodily form. (Plutarch, On Isis and Osiris)

καταβαίνω verb · lex. 1185

"To go down, descend." One of many compound verbs with the preposition "kata," denoting downward movement. (Matthew 3:16)

καταβολή ἡ · noun · lex. 432

"The act of throwing down, foundation, establishment." An important theological term for the "foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4:3)

Philosophical Journey

The phrase "kata sarka" acquires its theological weight primarily with the emergence of Christian literature, although its individual words have a long history.

8th-6th C. BCE

Archaic Greek

The words "kata" and "sarx" are used in Homeric and archaic poetry with their basic meanings: "kata" as a preposition of movement or relation, "sarx" as flesh or body. The complex theological phrase does not yet exist.

5th-4th C. BCE

Classical Greek

In philosophy (Plato, Aristotle) and rhetoric, "sarx" refers to the material body, while "kata" is used extensively in various expressions. The concept of "fleshly" existence as a moral category has not yet been formed in the Christian sense.

3rd-1st C. BCE

Hellenistic Koine (LXX - Septuagint)

In the Septuagint translation, "sarx" is used to render the Hebrew word "basar" (בָּשָׂר), which can mean both flesh and human existence in all its weakness and mortality. Here, the preconditions for the theological use of the phrase begin to emerge.

1st C. CE

New Testament (Paul)

The Apostle Paul fully develops the theological meaning of the phrase "kata sarka." He uses it to describe human nature subjected to sin, in contrast to life "kata pneuma." It is central to understanding his soteriology and ethics.

2nd-4th C. CE

Patristic Literature

The Church Fathers continue to use and develop the Pauline concept of "kata sarka." The phrase becomes fundamental for understanding human nature, the Fall, sin, and the need for spiritual regeneration.

In Ancient Texts

Three of the most significant passages that highlight the theological use of the phrase "kata sarka":

«τὸ δικαίωμα τοῦ νόμου πληρωθῇ ἐν ἡμῖν τοῖς μὴ κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦσιν ἀλλὰ κατὰ πνεῦμα.»

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Apostle Paul, Romans 8:4

«οἱ γὰρ κατὰ σάρκα ὄντες τὰ τῆς σαρκὸς φρονοῦσιν, οἱ δὲ κατὰ πνεῦμα τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος.»

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Apostle Paul, Romans 8:5

«τοῦτο οὖν βουλευόμενος μήτι τῇ ἐλαφρίᾳ ἐχρησάμην; ἢ ἃ βουλεύομαι κατὰ σάρκα βουλεύομαι, ἵνα ᾖ παρ’ ἐμοὶ τὸ ναὶ ναὶ καὶ τὸ οὒ οὔ;»

When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:17

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ is 644, from the sum of its letter values:

Κ = 20

Kappa

Α = 1

Alpha

Τ = 300

Tau

Α = 1

Alpha

= 0

Σ = 200

Sigma

Α = 1

Alpha

Ρ = 100

Rho

Κ = 20

Kappa

Α = 1

Alpha

= 644

Total

20 + 1 + 300 + 1 + 0 + 200 + 1 + 100 + 20 + 1 = 644

644 decomposes into 600 (hundreds) + 40 (tens) + 4 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	644	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	5	6+4+4=14 → 1+4=5 — The Pentad, the number of harmony and man, indicating the human nature that is the focus of the phrase.
Letter Count	10	9 letters — The Ennead, the number of completeness and perfection, here in contrast to the imperfect "fleshly" state.
Cumulative	4/40/600	Units 4 · Tens 40 · Hundreds 600
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	K-A-T-A-S-A-R-K-A	"Kardia Anthrōpou Teinei Aei Sarka Agapan Rhadiōs, Kyriou Apomakrynousa" (The Heart of Man Tends Always to Love the Flesh Easily, Distancing from the Lord).
Grammatical Groups	0V · 0E · 4A	0 vowels (excluding A, E), 0 Epsilon/Eta, 4 Alpha vowels. The dominance of "A" underscores the primal, fundamental nature of the flesh.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Moon ☽ / Sagittarius ♐	644 mod 7 = 0 · 644 mod 12 = 8

Isopsephic Words (644)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (644) as "kata sarka," but of different roots, offering interesting parallels:

καταβαθμός

"Descent, degradation." This word echoes the theological concept of the fall or degradation often associated with life "kata sarka," i.e., the departure from spiritual heights.

εἰσήγησις

"Introduction, proposal, teaching." It can be paralleled with the introduction to a new teaching or way of life, in contrast to old, "fleshly" habits.

δοτός

"Given, granted." Implies something that comes from an external source, such as God's grace, which stands in opposition to the autonomy of the flesh.

ἀναίδητος

"Shameless, impudent." Impudence can be seen as a characteristic of life "kata sarka," which disregards spiritual principles and moral order.

ἐπίστημα

"Knowledge, science, understanding." This word represents spiritual knowledge or wisdom, which contrasts with the limited and often misleading "fleshly" understanding of the world.

θεόφιν

"By the gods, divinely." This ancient poetic word emphasizes divine origin or intervention, which stands in complete contrast to the human, "fleshly" perspective.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 49 words with lexarithmos 644. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG), 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Metzger, B. M. — A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994.
Kittel, G., Friedrich, G. — Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-1976.
Thayer, J. H. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. New York: American Book Company, 1889.
Paul, Apostle — Epistle to the Romans, First and Second Epistle to the Corinthians. New Testament.