The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Question

An English dictionary at hand paraphrases this saying as meaning "I would if I could but I can't." as a modern equivalent.

I am given to understand that this saying originated in the New Testament (Matthew 26:41), where Jesus tells his disciples: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Can someone tell me what those original words by Jesus actually meant? Does what he meant agree with the modern meaning given above?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]An English dictionary at hand paraphrases this saying as meaning "I would if I could but I can't." as a ... me what those original words by Jesus actually meant? Does what he meant agree with the modern meaning given above?[/nq]
I think that "Jesus", if he ever existed, and if he actually said something in Aramaic which was translated into English as you have it, meant to advise his followers that even people with high motives, and a strong determination to stick to the righteous path, are susceptible to temptations of the flesh, possibly including excessive love of comfort, idleness, gluttony and ****.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]An English dictionary at hand paraphrases this saying as meaning ... what he meant agree with the modern meaning given above?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that "Jesus", if he ever existed, and if he actually said something in Aramaic which was translated into ... the righteous path, are susceptible to temptations of the flesh, possibly including excessive love of comfort, idleness, gluttony and ****.[/nq]
That's the gist, yes. In modern English, I think that "I will try to do this, but I am not sure I will succeed." would be a bit closer than "I would if I could but I can't." is. The former indicates that an attempt is being made, but may not succeed; the latter that since failure is expected, the action won't even be attempted.

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Usenet · Answer

It's what fundementalist Christian preachers and Catholic priests say after they have caught yet again with a young boy.

Usenet · Answer

First, I wish you would put the topic within the post. It's rare that I understand or answer one which relies on the subject line to include information important to the post.
[nq:1]An English dictionary at hand paraphrases this saying as meaning "I would if I could but I can't." as a modern equivalent.[/nq]
I'm no Christian, to be interpreting words from the Christian Bible, but yet I think no one will mind if I say this is a poor paraphrase.

It's backwards. A better paraphrase would be "I wouldn't if I had more dedication to my values, but it seems I'm not so dedicated, so I'll do it (meaning something bad).
[nq:1]I am given to understand that this saying originated in the New Testament (Matthew 26:41), where Jesus tells his disciples: ... indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Can someone tell me what those original words by Jesus actually meant?[/nq]
No, unless someone here is a mind reader. But they can explain what meaning people have attributed to them.
[nq:1]Does what he meant agree with the modern meaning given above?[/nq]
I don't consider your dictionary paraphrase to be especially modern.

"I would if I could but I can't." This reminds me of the time I asked a stranger for a couple minutes of help of some sort (I can't remember what), and he said "I would if I did that sort of thing, but I don't." In other words, in my view, "Even though I'm turning you down, I want you to think I'm a nice guy, even though I have given no evidence of it."
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

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