Acts of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) | Bible Class on the Acts of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit
“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, NIV).
We’ll look at each act of the flesh individually, but it’s wise to make a few points.
There is a huge contrast between the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The plural “acts” seems to suggest that the flesh acts in many ways. The singular “fruit” seems to suggest the Spirit leads in one direction.
The New International Version unfortunately often translates the Greek “flesh” as “sinful nature.” That is a horrible translation, for it suggests the Calvinistic idea of original sin. Fortunately, here the NIV keeps the Greek “flesh.”
“Flesh” in Paul’s Epistles often refers to the part of man which is at odds with God. However, the term “flesh” seems to suggest a couple things in this passage:
- Flesh is opposed to the Spirit.
- Flesh is often used literally in this list. (Sexual immorality, for example, is acting in the flesh.)
Paul says that these acts are “obvious.” How are the acts of the flesh obvious? Here’s what Paul seems to be saying in context: He has been writing about the Law of Moses. The acts of the flesh, therefore, are obvious to those who know the Law.
What happens if we fail to know the truth?
This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.