Galatians 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.

Envyings {G5355}, murders {G5408}, drunkenness {G3178}, revellings {G2970}, and {G2532} such {G5125} like {G3664}: of the which {G3739} I tell {G4302} you {G5213} before {G4302}, as {G2531} I have {G4277} also {G2532} told you in time past {G4277}, that {G3754} they which do {G4238} such things {G5108} shall {G2816} not {G3756} inherit {G2816} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}.

and envy; in drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you now as I have warned you before: those who do such things will have no share in the Kingdom of God!

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.

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.

Commentary

Galatians 5:21 concludes Paul's sobering list of the "works of the flesh," offering a strong warning to the early Christian communities in Galatia and to believers today. This verse serves as a critical reminder that genuine faith in Christ leads to a transformed life, not one characterized by unrepentant indulgence in sinful practices.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Galatians 5, where the Apostle Paul contrasts two ways of living: by the flesh and by the Spirit. Having just listed a series of vices in Galatians 5:19-20, such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, and heresies, verse 21 adds "envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like." Paul's primary aim in this chapter is to call believers to walk in the Spirit, asserting that true Christian liberty is not a license for sin but an empowerment for righteousness. The preceding verses, particularly Galatians 5:19-20, detail the full spectrum of these works of the flesh, which stand in stark opposition to the fruit of the Spirit.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Gravity of Sinful Lifestyles: Paul lists specific, severe sins like "murders," alongside other destructive behaviors such as "envyings," "drunkenness," and "revellings." The phrase "and such like" indicates that this list is not exhaustive but representative of a lifestyle contrary to God's will. These are not isolated acts but tendencies that define a person's character if left unchecked.
  • Consequences for the Unrepentant: The core message is the stark declaration: "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." This is a clear warning that those who persistently and unrepentantly live in rebellion against God's standards, indulging in these sinful practices, demonstrate a lack of true spiritual transformation. It is not about a single failure, but a lifestyle of ungodliness that reveals one's true allegiance. This warning echoes similar admonitions found elsewhere in Scripture, such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Ephesians 5:5.
  • Paul's Consistent Warning: The phrase "of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past" emphasizes Paul's unwavering consistency in teaching on holiness. This was not new information but a foundational truth he had previously communicated, reinforcing the importance of living a life that reflects one's salvation.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Envyings" (Greek: phthonos): This term denotes ill-will towards another's possessions, success, or advantages. It is an internal, destructive sin that often fuels external actions.
  • "Revellings" (Greek: kōmos): This word describes riotous feasting, orgies, or boisterous parties, often associated with pagan festivals and unrestrained indulgence in food, drink, and sensual pleasure. It signifies a lack of self-control and a pursuit of worldly gratification.

Practical Application

Galatians 5:21 calls believers to a serious self-examination. It challenges us to consider whether our lives genuinely reflect the transformation wrought by the Spirit, or if we are still entangled in patterns of the flesh. This verse is not meant to condemn those who stumble, but to provide a sober warning against a lifestyle of unrepentant sin. For those who profess faith in Christ, it serves as a powerful reminder that salvation is accompanied by a call to holiness and a new way of living, guided by the Spirit, leading to God's kingdom.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9

    ΒΆ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

  • 1 Corinthians 6:10

    Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

  • Romans 13:13

    Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

  • Romans 8:13

    For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

  • Ephesians 5:5

    For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

  • Ephesians 5:6

    Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;