Galatians 5:19-20

TEXT 5:19, 20

(19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties.

PARAPHRASE 5:19, 20

19 Now, the works produced by the lust of the flesh are manifest: namely, adultery, fornication, and all kinds of uncleanness; such as incest, sodomy, bestiality, the indulging lascivious thoughts, and the reading of lascivious books;
20 The worshipping of idols, sorcery, or a pretended communication with the invisible malignant powers; enmities long kept up; quarrels issuing in unreasonable law-suits; ambitious emulations; violent anger; brawling; causeless separations; the forming of sects in religion, for the sake of gain, in opposition to conscience;

COMMENT 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest (order and expression differs in King James)

adultery

1.

Illicit relationships with a married personit ruins families, alienates children from parents and causes parents to neglect children.

2.

This word is missing in some manuscripts: It is not in the American Standard.

3.

In the Old Testament such a person was to be stoned to death. Leviticus 20:10

4.

Adultery will keep one out of heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4

5.

In Hollywood it seems to add to one's box office appeal.

fornication

1.

Illicit relationship of single or unmarried persons.

2.

Fornicators will not be in heaven. Revelation 22:15

3.

If adultery is not included in all Greek manuscripts, we may consider it included under fornication. See Matthew 5:32.

uncleanness

1.

This word covers a wider range of sensual sin than fornication.

a.

Ephesians 4:19 speaks of all uncleanness.

b.

In Romans 1:24 it refers to unnatural practices.

c.

In 2 Corinthians 12:21 it is connected with sexual perversion.

2.

There are other sensual sins that must be included.

a.

Tobacco is unclean.

1)

It leaves a stain upon fingers that handle it.

2)

It leaves a deposit in the lungs of the smokers.

3)

It makes the breath smell unclean.

4)

Wrappers, ashes, butts, litter streets and public houses.

5)

It makes the clothes, the house, the car smell foul to the non-smoker.

6)

Homes, cars, buses, banquet halls, and even some churches are made to smell from the smoke exhaled from the lungs.

b.

Liquor is unclean.

1)

Wherever men indulge there is vomit, men in gutters, automobile wrecks, blood and death.

2)

It brings men to poverty and cheap, dirty hotels.

lasciviousness

1.

This word is also translated wantonness.

2.

It comes from the Greek.

a.

The Pulpit Commentary: It is scarcely an adequate translation in this connection. It appears to point to reckless shamelessness in unclean indulgences.

b.

The Pulpit Commentary: In classical Greek the adjective form describes a man insolently and wantonly reckless in his treatment of others, but in the N.T. it generally appears to point more specifically to unabashed open indulgences in impurity.

3.

There are other uses of the word.

a.

Used with uncleanness and fornication in 2 Corinthians 12:21.

b.

Used with uncleanness in Ephesians 4:19.

c.

Is used with men of Sodom in 2 Peter 2:7.

d.

Compare 2 Peter 2:18; 1 Peter 4:3 and Jude 1:4.

4.

In Mark 7:22 it may appear in its classical sense.

WORKS OF THE FLESH 5:19-21

What is the flesh? What is it to walk after the flesh? We must be very careful here. There is ever the danger that we will equate flesh with the material body, and like modern gnostics, assume that matter is evil. That the flesh cannot always refer to the physical body, its natural cravings and desires, is evident from Romans 8:9, which says, You are not in the flesh. All of us are in the physical body even when we walk in the Spirit.

The word flesh stands for the human nature weakened, vitiated, tainted by sin. The flesh is man as he is apart from Jesus Christ and the Spirit.

Flesh as used here is not limited to sexual perversion for many other things not directly related to sexual passion are also a part of the flesh, as one may learn by reading the works of the flesh as listed in Galatians 5:19-21.

Flesh is unsanctified human nature and represents all of us that is not given over to godliness.
The word flesh refers to the human nature corrupted by sin and selfishly concerned only with its gratification.
The fleshly man is under a power whose control manages his existence and possesses the man's soul and body into a perverted activity.
Paul refers to man's behavior as works because it reveals in society as an unbridled self-indulgence, greediness. It creates insecurity, cruelty, terror and at last heartaches of the bitterest kind.

COMMENT 5:20

idolatry

1.

The worshipping of idols could be considered a fruit of the flesh for pagan religions are lustful.

a.

Temples have had their male and female prostitutes.

b.

The most shameful practices have been done in the name of religion.

2.

Paul warns about idolatry in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and also 1 Corinthians 8:10.

3.

Idolatry is not limited to pagan worship, but church members may be guilty.

a.

Put to death. covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

b.

Stubbornness is as idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:22-23

sorcery

1.

This word is translated witchcraft in the King James version.

2.

It is from the Greek word denoting the use of drugs, but this sense is not used here.

3.

The word in some forms was often used in reference to the employment of drugs in charms and incantations.

4.

This sin is in bad company.

a.

murders. sorceries. fornication. Revelation 9:21; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15

b.

The sorcerers and magicians of Egypt. Exodus 7:11

c.

Magical books. Acts 19:19

d.

Imposters. 2 Timothy 3:13

5.

Art Baker on a television program in February, 1951, had a spiritualist expose the work of mediums and announce that Americans pay $125,000,000 annually for this deceit.

enmities

1.

This is translated hatred in the King James.

2.

Differences over issues and differences in the churches sometimes make enemies out of brethren.

3.

Brethren should have love rather than hatred in their hearts.

4.

How can the church member condemn Russia if he has enmity within his heart for those in the church?

strife

1.

This is translated variance in the King James.

2.

This is the outward conflict of persons.

3.

When hatred goes to work and appears in the open it is strife.

a.

Hatred stirreth up strifes. Proverbs 10:12

b.

A wrathful man stirreth up contention. Proverbs 15:18

4.

Strife comes from other sources than hatred.

A proud heart stirreth up strife. Proverbs 28:25

Strife gendered between herdsmen. Genesis 13:7

Strife arose among disciples over greatness. Luke 22:24

Carnality causes strife. 1 Corinthians 3:3

False teaching causes strife. 1 Timothy 6:4

Foolish questions gender strife. 2 Timothy 2:23

jealousies

1.

Emulations is the translation of the King James.

a.

The meaning is ambitious or envious rivalry.

b.

In this case it has the idea of resentment.

2.

In the original Greek it has the idea of zeal.

a.

Zeal is good until corrupted.

b.

Most vices are corrupted virtues.

3.

The word is often connected with strife.

Not in strife and jealousy. Romans 13:13

Among you jealousy and strife. 1 Corinthians 3:3

I fear. I should find. strife, jealousy. 2 Corinthians 12:20

wrath

1.

Wrath here is uncontrolled angerpassionateprobably with physical harm in mind.

2.

Self-control is a requirement for an elder.

The bishop must be. no brawler. 1 Timothy 3:3

Not to be contentious. Titus 3:2

3.

Wrath or anger has its place if controlled.

Be ye angry, and sin not. Ephesians 4:26

O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil. Psalms 97:10

a.

This does not mean that we should be hateful to those who are sinful.

b.

See Matthew 5:44-48.

factions

1.

The Pulpit Commentary challenges this word being translated strife as it appears in the King James.

a.

The verb from which it is derived means to act the part of a day-labourer, then scheming or intriguing for a post of employment.

b.

Next, it means party actionthe contentious spirit of faction.

2.

There are six other passages where the word appears.

a.

Unto them that are factious. Romans 2:8

b.

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife. Philippians 1:15

c.

Doing nothing through faction. Philippians 2:3

d.

See also 2 Corinthians 12:20 and James 3:14-16.

3.

In writing to Titus, Paul gives a warning about such people. Titus 3:10

a.

A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse. Titus 3:10

b.

This word here is translated heretic in the King James, but appears as factious in the American Standard.

divisions

1.

Seditions is the King James translation.

a.

Sedition means going aside.

b.

It carries the idea of insurrection, tending to excite, arousing to the point of going aside.

2.

This is, distinctly formed parties standing apart from each other.

a.

Division is the result of carnality. 1 Corinthians 3:3-5

b.

Divisions indicate a lack of perfection. 1 Corinthians 1:10

3.

The Lord's way is oneness, for that is the content of His prayer in John 17:1-26.

parties

1.

The King James translates this word heresies.

2.

The word in the original had the idea of choice of views.

3.

The Pulpit Commentary has a thorough discussion of this word.

a.

The gospel is a revelation, it is not an opinion.

b.

Opinions about the gospel makes heresies or parties.

STUDY QUESTIONS 5:19, 20

711.

Why does he use the word works in connection with the flesh?

712.

Is this the word used when he speaks of the spiritual life?

713.

What is the difference in works and fruit?

714.

Define adultery.

715.

What was the penalty for it in the Old Testament?

716.

What is the penalty for it in Hollywood?

717.

Can we get to heaven and be guilty of adultery?

718.

Define fornication.

719.

Are guilty ones to be included in heaven?

720.

Can we be guilty even though we do not commit it in the flesh, according to Jesus?

721.

If filthy literature is read and suggestive shows are seen, are we guilty?

722.

Define uncleanness.

723.

Is this limited to a failure to bathe?

724.

What common sins could be classed as sensual?

725.

Is it limited to sexual perversion?

726.

Are dirty habits to be included in the category of uncleanness?

727.

Define lasciviousness.

728.

What kind of company does it keep?

729.

Are people proud of their impurity?

730.

Do night club entertainers capitalize on this sin?

731.

Can you be guilty and be saved?

732.

Should Christians today be warned against idolatry?

733.

Did Paul warn us against it?

734.

What was Paul's definition of it?

735.

Could church members be guilty of it?

736.

Is a stingy church an idolatrous one?

737.

Define sorcery.

738.

What other terms are used in various translations?

739.

Is it in bad company, according to other scriptures?

740.

Is its use limited to heathen witch-doctors?

741.

Define enmities.

742.

Can the church condemn politics in Russia if it is guilty of enmity?

743.

Does your congregation have any enmity in it?

744.

Define strife.

745.

What are its sources?

746.

Could false teaching be guilty?

747.

Are denominations striving against one another?

748.

Is it better to have silent enmity than outward conflict?

749.

Define jealousy.

750.

Is it a corrupted zeal?

751.

Were Christ's apostles guilty?

752.

Are musicians, teachers, etc., in the church guilty of this sin?

753.

Define wrath.

754.

Is it wrong to have anger?

755.

How can we have anger, and sin not?

756.

Find verses that condemn angry outburst.

757.

Define wrath.

758.

Is God a God of wrath?

759.

Can a person have controlled anger?

760.

Is this sin sufficient to disqualify an elder?

761.

What does wrath lead to?

762.

Explain the value of anger.

763.

Define factions.

764.

Is it a common sin?

765.

How many times does the Bible condemn it?

766.

Are we to be patient and longsuffering with the factious man?

767.

How do we know when we are dealing with such a person?

768.

Define divisions as used in the New Testament.

769.

Did the Corinthian church have this problem?

770.

What was Paul's condemnation for it?

771.

If it was wrong to name the church and thus divide it then, how about naming the church after men today?

772.

Is denominationalism the same as divisions?

773.

Is it against Christ's prayer for oneness?

774.

What does the New Testament mean by oneness?

775.

What does the New Testament mean by parties?

776.

Do we have the right to a choice of views?

777.

Is modernism a choice between God's view and man's views?

778.

Do opinions versus revelation make parties?