What does σοφία · σαρκικός mean in the Bible?
σοφία · σαρκικός is a Greek phrase meaning "fleshly wisdom, wisdom governed by merely human or sinful standards".
Greek · G4678, G4559
σοφία σαρκική
Wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual) · fleshly
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
σοφία G4678 wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)
Pronunciation sophía
Divine wisdom versus human wisdom: primary absolute knowledge versus practical worldly intelligence.
Open lexicon entry →
σαρκικός G4559 fleshly
Pronunciation sarkikós
Pertains to flesh-nature enslaved by appetites; broader than mere sensuality, including all carnal desires.
Open lexicon entry →
What does σοφία σαρκική (sophia sarkikē) mean in the Bible?
σοφία · σαρκικός is a Greek phrase meaning "fleshly wisdom, wisdom governed by merely human or sinful standards".
Full entry for σοφία σαρκική (G4678, G4559) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G4678, G4559?
G4678, G4559 is connected to 51 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. fleshly wisdom, wisdom governed by merely human or sinful standards
Source Gloss
fleshly wisdom, wisdom governed by merely human or sinful standards
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 4 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 4 Aligned forms 51 Case pattern Accusative (14) Number pattern Singular (51)
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 11:19 · Matt 13:54 · Mark 6:2 · Luke 7:35 · Luke 11:49 · 1 Cor 1:30 · 1 Cor 3:19 · Eph 3:10 · Jas 3:15 · Jas 3:17 · Rev 7:12 · Rev 13:18 12×
Genitive · Singular · Feminine Acts 6:3 · Rom 11:33 · 1 Cor 1:21 · 1 Cor 2:1 · 1 Cor 2:4 · 1 Cor 2:13 · 1 Cor 12:8 · Eph 1:17 · Col 2:3 · Col 2:23 · Jas 1:5 · Jas 3:13 12×
Dative · Singular · Feminine Luke 2:40 · Luke 2:52 · Acts 6:10 · Acts 7:22 · 1 Cor 1:17 · 1 Cor 1:21 · 1 Cor 2:5 · 2 Cor 1:12 · Eph 1:8 · Col 1:9 · Col 1:28 · Col 3:16 · Col 4:5 13×
Accusative · Singular · Feminine Matt 12:42 · Luke 11:31 · Luke 21:15 · Acts 7:10 · 1 Cor 1:19 · 1 Cor 1:20 · 1 Cor 1:22 · 1 Cor 1:24 · 1 Cor 2:6 · 1 Cor 2:7 · 2 Pet 3:15 · Rev 5:12 · Rev 17:9 14×
Word Origins
σοφία σαρκική is built from this root:
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain