Galatians 5:19-23

St Paul supplies a test whereby men may ascertain whether they are under the curse of the law or heirs of the promise.

First, the Apostle gives a list of the works of the fleshnot complete but comprehensive the commission of which excludes men from the inheritance. They cannot plead the promise. It is not for such as they. They shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Then follows, not an enumeration of the works of the Spirit, but a statement of its fruit. Vital Christianity is not a set of acts a list of good deeds it is a disposition of the heart a character. If the tree is good, the fruit will be good; and by its effects -a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit", Art. XII.

19 … 21. A fourfold classification of the sins here mentioned has been suggested; (1) sins of sensuality; (2) sins connected with heathenism as a religion(idolatry and sorcery); (3) violations of the law of love, in feeling and in act; (4) sins of intemperance.

which are these -such as, for example." The catalogue does not pretend to be complete.

adultery Omitted in the best MSS. Jerome, after observing that in the Latin copies -adulteries" and -murders" are contained in St Paul's catalogue, adds, -but it should be known that only fifteen works of the flesh are specified". It is included in the general term -fornication", which here denotes all improper relations between the sexes, married or single. (Matthew 5:32.)

uncleanness Impurity generally, but with special reference to those unnnatural vices to which many heathen were addicted.

lasciviousness Rather, -open, shameless profligacy".