Galatians 5:19-21 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:21

Verse 21 21.Of which I tell you before. By this awful threatening he intended not only to alarm the Galatians, but likewise to glance indirectly at the false apostles, who had laid aside the far more valuable instruction, and spent their time in disputing about ceremonies. He instructs us, by his example, to press those exhortations and threatenings, agreeably to the words of the prophet, “Cry aloud, spare not; proclaim to my people their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1) What can be conceived more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

Freedom sustained by the Spirit. I. USE OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM . "For ye, brethren, were called for freedom." Paul, having wished the Judaizing teachers off Galatian soil, justifies the strength of his wish. They would have led the Galatians into bondage, but God had called them for freedom. He makes a distinction between the possession of freedom and the use of freedom. He had been under the necessity of making prominent their possession of freedom in contending against the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16-26

Christian progress realized through antagonism. We must not suppose, however, that the love which God gives us as our liberty can work out its will without experiencing opposition. Opposition we know it will meet in the world of selfish men; but Paul here points out the antagonism it meets within our own personalities. The flesh antagonizes the Spirit. Love does not get its own sweet way as often as we would. Self becomes a battle-ground, and God contends with the flesh for the supremacy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest ( φανερὰ δέ ἐστι τὰ ἔργα τῆς σαρκός ). The apostle's purpose is here altogether one of practical exhortation. Having in Galatians 5:13 emphatically warned the Galatians against making their emancipation from the Mosaic Law an occasion for the flesh, and in verse 16 affirmed the incompatibility of a spiritual walk with the fulfilment of the desire of the flesh, he now specifies samples of the vices, whether in outward conduct or in inward... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:19-21

Classification of the works of the flesh. The picture here exhibited by the apostle is a frightful abyss into which he asks us to look down. We have sin in its many varieties pictured in many parts of Scripture ( Romans 1:18-32 ; 2 Corinthians 13:2 ), but here we have a most complete account of the works of the flesh. I. THE WORKS OF THE FLESH . The flesh and the body are not synonymous. The apostle usually speaks of the body in terms of respect—unlike ascetics, who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:20

Idolatry, witchcraft ( εἰδωλολατρεία φαρμακεία ); idolatry , sorcery. These two form a second group—sins of irreligion; and such as would be likely greatly to beset new converts from idolatry. We may compare, "in respect to the former, the temptations which the apostle recognizes the danger of in the case of the Corinthians (1 Corinthians rift. and 10.). "Sorcery." The word φαρμακεία , originally denoting the use of drugs merely, means, sometimes, their use for poisoning; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:21

Envyings, murders ( φθόνοι , [Receptus adds φόνοι , rejected by most editors]). These belong properly to the third group, and should have been placed in the same verse with them. We have the like alliterative combination of the Greek words in Romans 1:29 , φθόνου φόνου . Judging from the evidence of manuscripts, the genuineness of φόνοι , is extremely doubtful. Regard being had to the particular circumstances of the Galatian Churches, which the apostle no doubt had in his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh - What the flesh, or what corrupt and unrenewed human nature produces.Are manifest - Plain, well-known. The world is full of illustrations of what corrupt human nature produces, and as to the existence and nature of those works, no one can be ignorant. It is evident here that the word σὰρξ sarx, “flesh,” is used to denote corrupt human nature, and not merely the body; since many of the vices here enumerated are the passions of the mind or the soul, rather than of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:20

Witchcraft - Pretending to witchcraft. The apostle does not vouch for the actual existence of witchcraft; but he says that what was known as such was a proof of the corrupt nature of man, and was one of the fruits of it. No one can doubt it. It was a system of imposture and falsehood throughout; and nothing is a better demonstration of the depravity of the human heart than an extended and systematized attempt to impose on mankind. The word which is used here (φαρμακεία pharmakeia, whence our... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:21

Envyings - see the note at 2 Corinthians 12:20.Revellings - 2 Corinthians 12:20, note; Romans 13:13, note.And such like - This class of evils, without attempting to specify all.Of which I tell you before - In regard to which I forewarn you.As I have also told you in time past - When he was with them.Shall not inherit the kingdom of God - Cannot possibly be saved; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. In regard to this passage, we may remark:(1) That it furnishes the most striking and... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:21

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