What does it mean to walk in the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3)?

In 2 Corinthians 10:3, the apostle Paul writes, “Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh” (ESV). Here, Paul acknowledges the dual realities of our earthly existence. We are physical beings who participate in a spiritual war. We walk in the flesh is essential for understanding how to handle spiritual battles.

Paul’s statement, “We walk in the flesh,” emphasizes the human condition. To walk in the flesh is to have a physical body subject to limitations and vulnerabilities. Hence, Christians are not exempt from the struggles of earthly life. In this context, flesh refers to our physical body rather than our sinful nature. For example, Jesus walked in the flesh during His earthly ministry and participated fully in human experiences, yet He remained sinless (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15).

In taking on human flesh, Jesus experienced earthly life’s limitations, temptations, and sufferings. Hebrews 2:17–18 says, “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God. . . . For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (ESV). God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), even as we walk in the flesh.

Although “we walk in the flesh,” Paul clarifies that spiritual warfare is not conducted “according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3, ESV). The distinction between walking the flesh and waging war against the flesh is critical. We have physical bodies and interact with the physical world. Still, the real battles are against spiritual enemies: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV). While “we walk in the flesh,” we must use spiritual weapons against spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:13–18).

In the context of 2 Corinthians 10:3, Paul defends his apostolic ministry against critics who judged him by outward appearances (2 Corinthians 10:7–10). Paul contrasts human weapons with God’s power: “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV). While we “walk in the flesh,” worldly tactics are powerless against spiritual enemies.

Walking the flesh reminds us of the tension between our earthly lives and spiritual identity. As believers, we are called to be in the world but not of it. Jesus prayed,

We must be vigilant against the evil one and depend on God’s grace. In doing so, the Holy Spirit will formulate our priorities and guide our lives (Galatians 5:16–17).

Though tainted by sin, our physical bodies are essential to our humanity and are part of God’s redemptive plan. In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Paul writes, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body” (ESV). Believers can reflect God’s glory even while walking the flesh.