Galatians 5:21

King James Bible

"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."

Commentary

Paul concludes his list of 'works of the flesh' with sins ranging from internal attitudes (envy) to violent acts (murder) to self-indulgent behaviors (drunkenness, carousing). The phrase 'and such like' indicates this catalog is representative, not exhaustive, of behaviors opposed to the Spirit's fruit. Paul emphasizes this is not new teaching but a repeated warning he has given the Galatians previously. This repetition underscores the seriousness of the matter and suggests some in the community may have been minimizing these behaviors. Those who habitually practice these behaviors demonstrate they are not living by the Spirit and thus have no share in God's kingdom. The verb tense suggests ongoing practice rather than isolated failures, distinguishing between struggling believers and those whose lives are characterized by the flesh.

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