GALATIANS 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
NSB* - The works of the flesh include, but go well beyond destructive contentions and jealousies portrayed in v.15. Where there is such behavior it is positive proof that the person is not living in the power of the Holy Spirit. (vv. 16, 18, 22) but is being energized by Satan and his hosts.
Notes References: Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
Flesh; See here under the heading "Flesh". This text uses the same Greek word σάρξ.
Adultery; denotes one who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another. This can also be spiritual adultery as used in Matthew 12:39, Matthew 16:4, and Mark 8:38. The Greek word is μοιχεία moicheia. Vines (def A-1,A-3), Strong's G3430.
Fornication; Thayer denotes - 1) illicit sexual intercourse 1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18 1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,12 2) metaph. the worship of idols 2a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols. Strong's defines it as harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry. The Greek word used here is πορνεία porneia. Strong's G4202.
Uncleaness; Thayer denotes - 1) uncleanness 1a) physical 1b) in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living 1b1) of impure motives. Strong's defines it as impurity (the quality), physically or morally. The Greek word is ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia. Strong's G167.
Lewdness; Thayer Denotes - unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence. The Greek word used here is ἀσέλγεια aselgeia. Strong's G766.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Moving to Verse 20.
Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
Idolatry; image-worship (literally or figuratively). Thayer denotes - 1) the worship of false gods, idolatry 1a) of the formal sacrificial feats held in honour of false gods 1b) of avarice, as a worship of Mammon 2) in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it. The Greek word is εἰδωλολατρεία eidōlolatreia. Strong's G1495.
Sorcery; The King James version uses the word witchcraft. Thayer denotes - 1) the use or the administering of drugs 2) poisoning 3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it 4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry. In "sorcery," the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer. The Greek word is φαρμακεία pharmakeia. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G5331
My notes - I think it's safe to say here that merely taking Advil for pain isn't the same context Paul was talking about when he says "witchcraft".
Heresies; Dodson denotes - a self-chosen opinion, a sect a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention. Strong's defines it as properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion. Thayer expands - 1) act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city 2) choosing, choice 3) that which is chosen 4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party) 4a) of the Sadducees 4b) of the Pharisees 4c) of the Christians 5) dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims. Vines notes - such erroneous opinions are frequently the outcome of personal preference or the prospect of advantage. The Greek word is αἵρεσις hairesis. Vine's (def 1a), Strong's G139.
Moving to Verse 21.
Galatians 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Envy; ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite). The Greek word for envy is φθόνος phthonos. Strong's G5355.
Murders; murder, slaughter, murder, slaughter, killing. The Greek word for murder is φόνος phonos. Strong's G5408.
My notes, this would also include abortion.
Drunkenness; an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication. The Greek word is μέθη methē.
My notes, the train of thought here is that it is not a sin to drink wine, but it is if you are getting totally pounded (drunk). I think it's also important, especially as Christians, to know our audience. We should not drink in front of someone, thereby tempting them to drink if they are prone to drunkenness.
Inherit; Thayer denotes - 1) to receive a lot, receive by lot 1a) esp. to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance 1b) to be an heir, to inherit 2) to receive the portion assigned to one, receive an allotted portion, receive as one's own or as a possession 3) to become partaker of, to obtain. The Greek word here is κληρονομέω klēronomeō.
Takeaways: Sin is not something to be toyed with or entertained. We must resist it at all costs, walking uprightly with the Lord our God. The next several verses point out the glorious contrast to walking in the flesh and introduce the fruits of the Spirit. Paul is not saying that doing these things will cost you entrance into heaven if you do them once or twice. Forgiveness is available through Christ, but we must turn from making these wicked things a practice, and treat them as the abominations they are. Paul says those who "practice"(πράσσω prassō, which means to “practice”, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually) such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. This prospect should immediately turn us from sin towards a walk with God.
Comments