COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 53
Gal 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21)
INTRODUCTION
To confirm that the flesh is not the place where confirmation of sonship, or Divine acceptance can be confirmed, Paul will now unveil what the flesh produces - and it certainly is not signs of Divine affiliation! Remember, when we speak of "the flesh" we are not speaking of the worst part of the human makeup - something from which some may appear to excuse themselves. The flesh is everything that is "born of the flesh" (John 3:6). This is everything that can be traced back to Adam - everything that can and subside, decline, and finally die(1 Cor 15:22). It is everything Nothing good can be found in "the flesh," no matter how diligently men may see to find goodness there (Rom 7:18). It is every part of man that is sustained by, and attracted to, this present evil world. It is every part of the human makeup that cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50). It is the part of man that has been judged and condemned by God, and religious flesh is not excluded. This is the part of man in which the "law of sin" works." As it is written, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Rom 7:25). The mind is made new in Christ Jesus, but the flesh is not - at least not yet. That is the final change we will experience at the resurrection of the dead. One of the primary purposes for living by faith and walking in the Spirit, is that it readies the individual to inhabit the resurrection body without bring in conflict with it (2 Cor 5:1-5). Flesh cannot be made to serve God - it can, and does serve only the "law" or principle "of sin." Every time it is given the advantage, the person will sin. To keep it from not leading you astray, you must keep "under" you body, and bring "it into subjection" (1 Cor 9:27). Any person who fails to do this is doomed to condemnation. It ought to be noted that circumcision had no power to change the heart, or to alter the desires of the flesh. Such desires must always be denied, abstained from, and put to death.
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH, #1
Gal 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness."
When one's religion is based in the flesh, the individual encounters the most hopeless of all circumstances. The flesh works diligently, but its works are all corrupt. It is totally incapable of doing good in the eyes of the Lord. Babylon the Great has introduced teaching that excuses the indulgences of the flesh as not being too bad. It has even concocted a God that can tolerate flesh, all the while maintaining His love toward the one walking in the flesh. The absurdity of such teaching, and even of such insinuations, is seen in the nature of what the flesh does - its works.
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH. Other versions read, "what the old nature does," CJB "the effects of the corrupt nature," GWN "the deeds of the flesh," NAB "The acts of the sinful nature," NIB "When self-indulgence is at work," NJB "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature," NLT "your own wrong inclinations," LIVING "Human nature does things which are wrong," IE and "the doings (practices) of the flesh" AMPLIFIED
Some of the version weaken the text by speaking philosophically rather than factually. The point is that what follows is what flesh does. In fact, it can do noting else. There is not a single "good thing" that can be found in "the flesh" (Rom 7:18).
ARE MANIFEST. Other versions read, "are evident," NKJV "are obvious," NIV "are plain," RSV "are clear," BBE "are known," MRD and "are very clear." NLT The conduct that will be itemized is obviously nothing less than the eruption of "the flesh." This is something that circumcision, of even "the neglecting of the body" (Col 2:23) can change.
This first cluster of sins has to do with the violation of chastity, or moral purity.
ADULTERY. Only the KJV, NKJV, GENEVA, BISHOPS, RWB, TNT, YLT, ABP, EMTV, LITV this sin in the lost of four. All other versions in my possession omit "adultery," and list only the three works that follow. This word is mentioned forty times in the English versions that omit the word in this text. While the sin of adultery can technically be included in the more general word "fornication," yet it is a sin that is unique by definition, and thus ought to be mentioned.
"Adultery" means intimacy with one who is married to someone else. The Law forbade it (Ex 20:14). Jesus confirmed the Law, adding that a man looking at a woman with the intent of lusting after her had committed adultery in his heart (Matt 5:28). The Apostles classed it with sins that come under the category of not loving ones neighbor as himself (Rom 13:9).
This is a sin that has become common in our time. Some even live in a state of adultery, all the while claiming to be "Christians." This sin is not a mistake, or a weakness, or something that is done inadvertently or by accident. It is a "work of the flesh" - something done deliberately.
FORNICATION. Other versions read, "immorality," NASB "evil desire," BBE "sexual immorality," CJB "illicit sex," GWN "whoredom," MRD "sexual vice." NJB
This sin covers all of the immoral deeds mentioned under the Law. These include sodomy, or homosexuality, lying with a beast, or bestiality, lying with close relatives, or incest, and other similar indulgences (Lev 20:15-21). In a day when suggestive things are parading before the eyes of the people, special care must be taken not to expose oneself to things that arouse the flesh. Many a person has committed this sin even though they thought themselves escapable of doing so. When one traffics in the flesh, the door to fornication is opened wide.
UNCLEANNESS. Other versions read, "impurity," NASB "unclean things," BBE "immodesty," DOUAY "perversion," MRD "impure thoughts." LIVING
Uncleanness is the assault upon moral purity through the mind. A modern example of unclean things is pornography. At to that various forma of entertainment and games that awaken illicit desires within the individual. Such things bring defilement to the individual, and defilement is a condition that can be exploited by the devil. A person given to uncleanness has not heeded the admonition, "Keep thyself pure" (1 Tim 5:22). One of the traits that approve true ministers of God is "pureness" (2 Cor 6:6). We are to think upon things that are "pure" (Phil 4:8) - things that have not been defiled by the cancer of the world. Our hearts are to be "pure" (1 Tim 1:5), as well as our "conscience" (1 Tim 3:9). Uncleanness is the absence of that condition.
LASCIVIOUSNESS. Other versions read, "lewdness," NKJV "sensuality," NASB "debauchery," NIV "licentiousness," NRSV "wrong use of the senses," BBE "promiscuity," CJB and "wantonness." GENEVA This is an uncontrollable appetite for sin - in insatiable desire for the immoral. Religious men speak of being addicted to pornography, or immorality. But that word is not suitable to describe the condition. Lasciviousness is the word. When lust is unchecked by walking in the Spirit, it eventually gains control over the individual. That is the nature of base desires. Either they are refused the right to reign in our mortal body (Rom 6:19), they will take over the individual.
This we have been exposed to the devil's assault upon chastity, or moral purity. He always works through the flesh - either yours, or those around you. If you do not, in the integrity and consistency of faith, overcome these tendencies, they will eventually dominate you.
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH, #2
5:20a "Idolatry, witchcraft . . . "
SINS OF RELIGION. "Idolatry, Witchcraft. Other versions read, "idolatry, sorcery," NKJV "worship of images, uses of strange powers," BBE "involvement with the occult and with drugs," CJB "idolatry, drug use," GWN "idol-worship, magic," MRD and "idolatry, spiritism." LIVING
These are sins in which men extend themselves beyond known human resources in order to acquire knowledge, provision, or protection. In idolatry the focus is around something that is known - with an image, or an idea. The "flesh" attempts to bring solace through a visible or intellectual means that excludes both God and Christ. Under the Law, making and bowing down to images was strictly forbidden. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" (Ex 20:4-5). Images are always made of something in the natural realm. Divi9ne qualities are ascribed to the image, and obeisance is given to it. In this manner, the individual is more firmly attached to the world, because his religion is worldly.
In matters pertaining to the salvation of God, there are intellectual idols. These include "another Jesus" (2 Cor 11:4), and erroneous concepts of God. That is, a god that differs from the One of whom Jesus teaches His people. As it is written, "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen" (1 John 5:20-21).
You must know that false gods are being perpetrated throughout the world - even in the professed Christian community. These are not merely misunderstandings of God, or a slight misrepresentation of God. They are altogether false. Such gods cannot save, keep, nourish, or lead. Such gods are the product of the flesh - a work of the flesh. They are a fabrication of a false god according to the preferences and desires of sinful humanity.
"Witchcraft," or sorceries, differs slight in that it is an appeal to something outside the realm of human knowledge. Witches were condemned under the Law (Ex 22:18; Deut 18:10). Some version use the expression "drugs" because much sorcery was carried out in a framework of stupor-inducing drugs that caused all manner of corrupt thinking to erupt. In the strictest sense of the word, "witchcraft" is an appeal to the realm of the dead, as seen in the witch of Endor to whom king Saul appealed (1 Sam 28:19).
The point to see here is that both of these are works of the flesh. They are things the flesh seeks and likes, for they offer a kind of safety and satisfaction to the deceived ones. This also means there is a lot of pretension in such matters, even though Satan also works through them.
SINS OF HOSTILITY. 5:20b " . . . hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies." The next cluster of sins deal with outbreaks of hostility.
Hatred. This is enmity motivated by corrupt reasoning. Hatred seeks to do damage, and gnaws at the soul like a rapidly-spreading cancer. This is sinful hatred, as compared with a "perfect hatred" that is based upon discernment (Psa 139:22).
Variance. Other versions read "contentions," NKJV "dissensions," NASB and "discord." NIV This is unwarranted disruption, setting people against one another without a just cause. It includes sowing discord among brethren (Prov 6:14,19).
Emulations. Other versions read "jealousies," NJKV or "jealousy." NIV This roots in envying another who is perceived as obtaining or having what he one with jealousy wants. This is not a godly jealousy (2 Cor 11:2) that wants the best for the people of God, but a jealousy that is buttressed by a personal desire to have preeminence in a given area.
Wrath. Other versions read, "outbursts of wrath," NKJV "outbursts of anger," NASB fits of rage." NIV This is not the anger mentioned in Ephesians 4:26: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." This wrath is uncontrollable, boiling over and spreading defilement all around. A man filled with wrath is like a boiling kettle, about to boil over.
Strife. Other versions read, "selfish ambitions," NKJV "disputes," NASB and "quarrels." NRSV This kind of trait finds the person so eager to promote his own personal interests that he engages in incessant quarrels with anyone who does not see things the way he does. It is the opposite of being "gentle unto all men" ( 2 Tim 2:24), or being "gentle, showing meekness to all men" (Tit 3:2).
Sedition. Other versions read, "dissensions." NKJV The idea is that of causing division among brethren over matters that are not worthy of such efforts. I understand this to mean causing divisions over teachings that are not in harmony with the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
Heresies. This is similar to "sedition," but differs slightly. It has to do with the forming of special parties around aberrant, or perverse teachings. Other versions read, "factions," NASB and "party spirit." RSV These last two works provide a perfect picture of the denominational world.
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH, #3
5:21 "Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which DO such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
SINS OF INDULGENCE AND EXCESS. The last cluster of sins have to do with excess, for the flesh can never get enough.
Envyings. This is the common rendering of most versions. Envyings are similar to emulations, but have a stronger meaning. They include the idea of wanting to do harm, and put people at a disadvantage. Malice is mingled with hatred, and opposition becomes creative. David spoke of such an attitude that was found in his enemies. "In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me" (Psa 142:3). This was the dominating trait of those forty men who took a vow not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:21).
Murders. Some version omit this term. It speaks of what we would term slaughter, or wholesale slaughter - such as has been often unleashed against believers. There is a kind of thirst for blood and violence - as it was in the days of Noah, when "the earth was filled with violence."
Drunkenness. Most versions read the same. This is an excess of hard drink, in which the mind is thrown off course, stability is lost, the distinction of those made in the image of God is wholly lost. In our day, this would include drugs as well. Solemnly believers are told, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:18).
Revellings. Other versions read, "revelries," NKJV "carousing," NASB and "orgies." NIV This involves a spirit that cannot get enough of what is wrong. All of the stops are taken away, and the flesh is allowed to wallow in please and excess to the point of shame. Peter referred to this as "excess of wine, revellings, banquetings . . . and "excess of riot" (1 Pet 4:3-4). It is the wild springtime breaks of American college students, and all vigils in bars and nightclubs.
AND SUCH LIKE. Other versions read, "things like those." NASB There are a host of self-indulgent, and flesh-gratifying sins that are like these. They all belong to the same classification.
I HAVE TOLD YOU. This is a matter about which Paul spoke frequently, because they were sins that were common among the Gentiles. He did not ignore their presence, or assume that no person claiming identity with Christ would indulge in such things. They are not merely a category of human deeds. They are the works of the flesh - and everyone has flesh. If flesh is given a lot of freedom, people are being pushed in the direction of these indulgences. There is no guarantee that they will not eventually engage in many, or even all, of such practices. In the case of the Galatians, the danger was found in emphasizing a fleshly religion with the fleshly sign of circumcision. However, flesh is never satisfied with a little freedom.
THEY THAT DO SUCH THINGS. There is such a thing as a people who DID such things, but do them no longer. Some of the Corinthians were in such a category. Thus Paul wrote to them, "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:11).
But what of those who continue such things - maybe not as frequently, but nevertheless indulging in them. The sentence is plain: "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal 5:21). Either a person is delivered from those categories so that they do them no more, or they will be excluded from the Kingdom of God.
And what if that was the message delivered at the meeting of recovery groups? How should people that are wallowing in sin be addressed? What should be said to them in the name of the Lord? Would it is appropriate to tell them God can forgive them? Or, that there is no sin God cannot forgive? What if we tell them, "God can help you in this matter."If that really the message that will awaken them?
When Peter spoke to those who hade vented their hatred on the Lord's Christ, He did not tell them God loved them, and that there was a way out of their dilemma. The reason he did not do so is that they did not see themselves as being in a dilemma - at least not until he shouted out, "ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" the Lord's Christ . . . Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:23,36). When those people were pricked in their hearts thy cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter did not console them by saying no person can go so far that God cannot save them. Instead, he cried out "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). No word of love. No word of carnal sympathy. But the people had believed what he said, and therefore "gladly received" the word and did what Peter said. It still is necessary to declare to sinners the invariable outcome of sin, and yielding to the flesh.