Sarkikos describes conduct, desires, resources, wisdom, or weapons viewed in a human or material sphere rather than a spiritual one.

The occurrences describe matters associated with human or material conditions: conduct marked by zeal and quarrel, desires opposed to the soul, material provision, and wisdom or weapons denied a merely human basis. Several clauses set these matters beside spiritual things, God’s grace, or divine power.

1. Human conduct and desires · common

   In 1 Corinthians 3:3, the nominative plural masculine form characterizes those among whom zeal and quarrel are present; the APB renders them as “fleshly” and walking “according to a human.” In 1 Peter 2:11, the genitive plural feminine form qualifies desires from which the readers are urged to abstain because they wage war against the soul.

   1 Corinthians 3:31 Peter 2:11
2. Material things owed or received · common

   In 1 Corinthians 9:11, the accusative plural neuter form stands in the question about reaping things from those among whom spiritual things were sown. In Romans 15:27, the dative plural neuter form occurs where Gentiles are said to owe ministry in such things after participating in spiritual things.

   1 Corinthians 9:11Romans 15:27
3. Wisdom and weapons not merely human · common

   In 2 Corinthians 1:12, the dative singular feminine form qualifies wisdom that is denied in contrast with God’s grace. In 2 Corinthians 10:4, the nominative plural neuter form qualifies weapons that are said not to be “of the flesh” but powerful through God for tearing down arguments.

   2 Corinthians 1:122 Corinthians 10:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB usually presents the term with “fleshly,” including conduct, desires, things, and wisdom; in 2 Corinthians 10:4 it renders the clause “not of the flesh.” These renderings confirm the clauses’ broad contrasts rather than isolate a fixed English equivalent.