Hatred | Bible Class on the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

Paul next mentions anger as a work of the flesh. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19-21).

The Greek term occurs only five other times in the New Testament and refers to hostility or to the state of being enemies (enmity). That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies” (Lk 23:12). “Having been at enmity” is the literal translation. “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so” (Rom 8:7). “Is enmity toward God” is the literal translation. “He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph 2:14). The New International Version puts “hostility” at verse 14. Other translations put the word in verse 15. “In one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Eph 2:16). “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?” (Js 4:4).

In what way(s) is hatred (enmity) a work of the flesh?

God himself hates. “‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ declares the Lord. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals’” (Mal 1:2-3). “Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated’” (Rom 9:13).

If God hated Esau, how can hate be a work of the flesh? In the spirit of transparency and true study, we must note that “hate” in Romans 9:13 is a different term than the one in Galatians 5:20. However, Scripture does say that God hated Esau. We must always examine the context of a passage. God determined that Esau would not be the one through whom his promises would come. Thus, he “hated” Esau.

Jesus told us to hate. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:26). Again, “hate” is a different word than in Galatians 5:20. If hatred is a work of the flesh, in what way(s) does Jesus expect us to hate?

Is hatred a serious issue in our modern world? What are some example of modern hatred?

How do we keep from hating?

This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.