King James Bible
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,"
Paul declares that sinful human nature produces obvious, recognizable behaviors. The term 'flesh' refers to humanity's fallen nature apart from God's Spirit, and 'manifest' indicates these actions are plainly visible to all. This phrase introduces a specific catalog of sins, serving as a transition to Paul's list. He aims to provide concrete examples rather than abstract concepts, helping the Galatians identify these behaviors in their community. Paul begins with sexual sins, reflecting both Jewish and Greco-Roman concerns about moral purity. These four terms progress from specific acts (adultery, fornication) to broader states of moral corruption (uncleanness) and unbridled sensuality (lasciviousness), emphasizing how unchecked desire leads to increasingly destructive behavior.