Meaning of Galatians 5:20

Galatians 5:20 lists several works of the flesh, specifically those that stand in stark opposition to the fruit of the Spirit that Paul has just described. These are not merely minor transgressions but deeply ingrained sinful patterns that corrupt individuals and fracture communities. The inclusion of "idolatry and witchcraft" immediately signals a rebellion against God, as these practices involve seeking power, guidance, or fulfillment from sources other than the Creator, often involving occult or forbidden means. The subsequent items—hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, and factions—detail the relational and internal consequences of this spiritual rebellion, illustrating how a life devoid of the Spirit devolves into a state of conflict and self-centeredness, both within oneself and in one's interactions with others.

Context and Background

This verse is part of Paul's extended argument in Galatians concerning the Galatian churches' drift from the Gospel of grace to a reliance on legalistic observance, particularly circumcision. Paul contrasts the freedom found in Christ through faith with the bondage of attempting to earn righteousness through human effort. He presents two fundamental categories of human activity: the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21) and the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23). The former are the natural outworkings of a life lived independently of God's Spirit, while the latter are the divinely produced characteristics of a Spirit-filled believer. The list in verse 20, therefore, serves as a stark warning of what life looks like when one prioritizes self and sin over the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is the pervasive and destructive nature of sin when it is allowed to dictate one's life.

• Rebellion Against God: Idolatry and witchcraft represent a direct affront to God's sovereignty, seeking alternatives to His provision and authority.
• Interpersonal Conflict: The subsequent items describe the breakdown of healthy relationships, stemming from internal sinfulness that manifests as animosity, disagreement, and division.
• Self-Centeredness: Selfish ambition and dissensions highlight a focus on personal desires and agendas over unity and the common good.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse serves as a diagnostic tool for believers. It calls for honest self-examination to identify any of these "works of the flesh" that may be present in one's life. The message is not one of condemnation, as Paul states elsewhere that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21), but rather a call to repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit. True spiritual growth involves actively mortifying these fleshly desires and cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, a process that requires constant dependence on God.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The concept of the "works of the flesh" and the struggle against sin is a consistent thread throughout Scripture. From the Fall in Genesis, where humanity's sin introduced discord and rebellion, to the Old Testament law's condemnation of idolatry and interpersonal injustice, to the New Testament's emphasis on transformation and sanctification, the Bible consistently portrays the human condition as one deeply affected by sin. The contrast Paul draws here between the flesh and the Spirit echoes the dualistic language found in other Pauline epistles, such as Romans 7 and 8, where the struggle between the "law of sin" and the "law of the Spirit" is central.

Analogies

• A Poisoned Well: The "works of the flesh" are like the impurities that poison a well. Even if the water looks clear, its source is corrupted, leading to sickness and death. Idolatry and witchcraft are the initial contamination, and the other vices are the downstream effects on those who drink from it.
• A Cracked Mirror: The works of the flesh distort one's perception and relationships, like looking into a cracked mirror. What is reflected is fragmented, warped, and ultimately untrue to reality.
• Weeds in a Garden: The fruit of the Spirit is the intended harvest, but the works of the flesh are the persistent weeds that choke out the good plants, requiring constant diligent weeding and care.

Relation to Other Verses

• Galatians 5:16-18: This passage immediately precedes verse 20, establishing the foundational principle: "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things that you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." This sets up the contrast and the ongoing battle.
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: This passage also lists similar vices and states that those who practice them will not inherit the kingdom of God, reinforcing the serious implications of these "works of the flesh."
• Romans 8:5-8: This passage further elaborates on the mind set on the flesh versus the mind set on the Spirit, highlighting the fundamental difference in orientation and its resulting actions.
• Ephesians 4:31-32: This verse calls believers to "put away from you all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you," directly addressing many of the interpersonal sins listed in Galatians 5:20.