39 “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:39–41 (ESV)
35 “And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:35–38 (ESV)
39 “And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39–46 (ESV)
What did Jesus mean when He said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?” Was He referring to the Holy Spirit? I do not suspect so because the third person of the Trinity is God, and therefore not weak (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15; Acts 5:1-4). What kind of flesh did Jesus mean? Was He referring to human skin and bone?
The word spirit (πνεῦμα; pneuma) literally means breath. More theologically, it refers to a non-material existence. Translators have chosen to not capitalize the word from the original Greek because the context determines its meaning. Therefore, Jesus was speaking of the human spirit or soul, the Imago Dei (Gen 1:26-27; John 4:24), in contrast to the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-6; 6:63). The word spirit refers to man’s intellect, emotions and will.
Flesh (σάρξ; sarx) can refer to the physical human body (Col 1:24). In the context of the disciples in Gethsemane, Jesus referred to their fallen, sinful and human nature. This is what the Apostle Paul means in Romans 7:4-6; 13-20).
When believers in Christ face temptation, for which they are to watch and pray, their thinking, feelings and wills may be inclined to obey God. However, failure to watch and pray can result in succumbing to the temptation, resulting in sin (James 1:12-15). The spirit is willing and eager, but the flesh is morally weak.
“If in this nightly hour Jesus experienced the weakness of his own human nature, hence the need of prayer, we may be sure that this was far more seriously true in the case of the disciples. In the present passage “spirit” indicates man’s invisible entity viewed in its relation to God. As such it is the recipient of God’s favor and the means whereby man worships God,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
Have you experienced moments of resolution to obey Christ only to find attacks from the world, one’s remaining sinful flesh and the devil to be intense? It is easy to give in to a momentary lust, only to then grieve the resulting guilt and shame for having done so. We must be careful to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23-27).
The enemy roams
Like a roaring lion
Looking for the sleeping
Looking for the sleeping.
When he comes here
Let him find us keeping our promises
Holding to faithfulness
Down on our knees, eyes to the east.
Watch and pray
No one knows the moment
No one knows the hour
Or the day.
Watch and pray
Till you see Him coming
Coming through the clouds in white array
To take His bride away.
The King will appear
With a shout of glory
All the earth awaking
All the earth awaking.
Until He comes
Let us keep on taking the highest ground
Listening for the sound
Down on our knees, eyes to the east.
Watch and pray
No one knows the moment
No one knows the hour
Or the day.
Watch and pray
Till you see Him coming
Coming through the clouds in white array
To take His bride away.
Behold the Bridegroom
Behold the Bridegroom
He is coming soon
Prepare Him room.
Watch and pray
No one knows the moment
No one knows the hour
Or the day.
Watch and pray
Till you see Him coming
Coming through the clouds in white array
To take His bride away. – Twila Paris
Soli deo Gloria!
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