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Galatians 5:21

in Galatians 5

and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV

ASV

envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

KJV

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.

This verse in Galatians 5

Commentary

19 notes on this verse

A commentator

Irenaeus

Against Heresies Book I · Written before 202.

But as to themselves, they hold that they shall be entirely and undoubtedly saved, not by means of conduct, but because they are spiritual by nature. For, just as it is impossible that material substance should partake of salvation (since, indeed, they maintain that it is incapable of receiving it), so again it is impossible that spiritual substance (by which they mean themselves) should ever come under the power of corruption, whatever the sort of actions in which they indulged.

This site's exposition

the works of the flesh are manifest

on Galatians 5:19-21

The list opens with manifest, phanera, works plain to any observer, unlike the Spirit's fruit which ripens more slowly and inwardly. Witchcraft translates pharmakeia, sorcery bound up with drug use in the ancient world, and heresies renders haireseis, factions or sects rather than doctrinal error in the modern sense, a warning against party spirit as much as against magic. The list closes with the strongest statement in the chapter, shall not inherit the kingdom of God, a warning Paul says he has already given them in person, that habitual practice of these works marks a life outside the kingdom regardless of profession.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers5 voices

A commentator

Jerome

Commentary on Galatians · Written before 420.

(Verses 19-21.) The works of the flesh are evident, which are: fornication, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

A commentator

Jerome

EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 3.5.19-21 · Written before 420.

proposed

It would have been a long task to enumerate all the works of the flesh and make a catalog of vices, so Paul has wrapped this all up in one phrase: "and the like." I wish that we could avoid these vices as easily as we can see them!

A commentator

Fulgentius of Ruspe

ON THE REMISSION OF SINS 1.15.3 · Written before 533.

proposed

Since God is righteous, such people do not obtain the kingdom of heaven so long as they do such things. But since God is merciful, the wicked, if they cease doing revolting things by which they try God's patience and turn to God in humble …

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Galatians 5 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

Answer me now, thou that accusest thine own flesh, and supposest that this is said of it as of an enemy and adversary. Let it be allowed that adultery and fornication proceed, as you assert, from the flesh; yet hatred, variance, emulations, strife, heresies, and witchcraft, these arise merely from a depraved moral choice. And so it is with the others also, for how can they belong to the flesh? you observe that he is not here speaking of the flesh, but of earthly thoughts, which trail upon the ground. Wherefore also he alarms them by saying, that "they which practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." If these things belonged to nature and not to a bad moral choice, his expression, "they practice," is inappropriate, it should be, "they suffer." And why should they be cast out of the kingdom, for rewards and punishments relate not to what proceeds from nature but from choice?
Those, furthermore, who commit those sins whereof the apostle says, "They who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God," are by all means to be guarded against, and are to be compelled to seek amendment if they do not choose it voluntarily, …
12 more voices on this verse

The Church Fathers3 voices

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on Galatians · Written before 550.

proposed

"revelries." To hurl hecklings and to taunt the convictions of others in a state of drunkenness. "will not inherit the kingdom of God." Meanwhile all will fall from power, yet there will be diversity in their punishments. …

A commentator

Augustine of Hippo

EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 52 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

Let no one suppose that envy is the same thing as jealousy. For they are indeed neighbors and because of that very neighborhood either of them is often freely substituted for the other.… But because each is distinguished here they require us to make a distinction. Jealousy is the mind's anguish when someone achieves something that two or more were seeking but which can be had only by one. Jealousy is cured by peace, in which all may obtain that which is sought and thus become one. Envy on the other hand is the grief one feels in one's mind when an unworthy person appears to have obtained something, even if it is not being sought by others. Envy is overcome by meekness, when all who yearn appeal to the judgment of God and do not resist his will, trusting rather in the justice of what he does than in one's own estimate of what people deserve.

A commentator

Tertullian

On the Resurrection of the Flesh · Written before 220.

proposed

It is after displaying to the Galatians these pernicious works that he professes to warn them beforehand, even as he had "told them in time past, that they which do such things should not inherit the kingdom of God," even because they bore not the image of the heavenly, as they had borne the image of the earthy; and so, in consequence of their old conversation, they were to be regarded as nothing else than flesh and blood.

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on Galatians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Finally, of vices that pertain to the ordering of the necessaries of life he mentions two: one concerns drink; hence he says, "drunkenness," i.e., continual: "Take heed lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life" (Lk 21:34). …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Galatians · Written before 1107.

proposed

Let those who slander the flesh tell us. Granted that shamelessness and adultery are sins of the body, but how do enmity, heresies, and the like depend on the flesh? Therefore it is clear that all these are the work of a corrupted will. If …

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

Envyings..... Uneasy distressing tortures of the mind, grieving at the good of others, that any should be in an equal, or in a better condition than themselves: murders, destroying of men's lives, which is often the consequence of the above evils: drunkenness; excess in drinking of wine or strong drink, whereby the stomach is overcharged, the mind is intoxicated, and the body enfeebled and unable to perform its office; this is often the source of many, or all of the works of the flesh before mentioned: revellings; excess in feed, nocturnal riotings in eating, drinking, dancing, singing, chambering and wantonness.

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

proposed

Some of the works here mentioned are wrought principally, if not entirely, in the mind; and yet they are called "works of the flesh." Hence it is clear, the apostle does not by "the flesh" mean the body, or sensual appetites and inclinations only, but the corruption of human nature, as it spreads through all the powers of the soul, as well as all the members of the body.

The Nineteenth Century4 voices

Envyings - see the note at 2Co 12:20. Revellings - 2Co 12:20, note; Rom 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 1Co 6:9-11. In regard to this passage, we may remark: (1) That it furnishes the most striking and unanswerable proof of human depravity.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

The identification of "the natural (Greek, 'animal-souled') man," with the "carnal" or fleshly man (1Co 2:14), shows that "the flesh" expresses human nature as estranged from God. TRENCH observes, as a proof of our fallen state, how much richer is every vocabulary in words for sins, than in those for graces.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

tell . . . before--namely, before the event. I . . . told you in time past--when I was with you. you--who, though maintaining justification by the law, are careless about keeping the law (Ro 2:21-23). not inherit . . . kingdom of God-- (1Co 6:9, 10;

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase+unbalanced-parens

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Envyings - Φθονοι· “Pain felt, and malignity conceived, at the sight of excellence or happiness.” A passion the most base and the least curable of all that disgrace or degrade the fallen soul. See on Rom 13:13 (note) Murders - Φονοι· Similarity of sound to the preceding seems to have suggested the word in this association; it is wanting in several MSS. Murder signifies the destruction of human life; and as he who hates his brother in his heart is ready to take away his life, so he is called a murderer. After all the casuistry of man, it does not appear that the right of taking away a human life on any pretense, except for the crime of murder belongs to any but the Maker and Judge of all men. Drunkenness - Μεθαι· Taking more wine or any kind of inebriating liquor than is necessary for health; whatever unfits for public, domestic, or spiritual duties; even the cares of the world, when they intoxicate the mind. See on Rom 13:13 (note). Revellings - Κωμοι· Lascivious feastings, with obscene songs, music, etc. See on Rom 13:13 (note). And such like - Και τα ὁμοια τουτοις· All that proceeds from the evil passions of a fallen spirit, besides those above specified; and all that the law of God specifies and condemns. Of the which I tell you before - When I first preached the Gospel to you. As I have also told you in time past - When I paid my second visit to you; for the apostle did visit them twice. See Act 16:6; Act 18:23; and see preface. Shall not inherit - They are not children of God, and therefore cannot inherit the kingdom which belongs only to the children of the Divine family.

The words behind it

21 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Romans 8:13

    For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

    it leads to

    • Galatians 6:8

      The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

    • 1 Peter 2:11

      Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

    • Colossians 3:5–8

      Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

    • 1 Corinthians 9:27

      No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

    • Titus 2:12

      It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

  • Through

    1 Corinthians 5:11

    But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler.…

    it leads to

    • Romans 16:17

      Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

    • 2 Thessalonians 3:14

      Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

    • 2 Thessalonians 3:6

      Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received…

Where this verse is studied

About Galatians

The Crucifixion, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Crucifixion, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
This page draws on 17 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 52; Fabian of Rome, Decretals, Epistles of Pope Fabian, To All the Bishops of the East, Of the right of bishops not to be accused or hurt by detraction; Fulgentius of Ruspe, ON THE REMISSION OF SINS 1.15.3; Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book I; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Galatians; Jerome, EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 3.5.19-21; John Chrysostom, Homily on Galatians 5; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Galatians; Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Galatians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Galatians.