Gal 5:16-24 | RWP | e4.org | Ye shall not fulfil ( ου μη τελεσητε ). Rather, "Ye will not fulfil." Strong double negative with aorist active subjunctive. The lust of the flesh ( επιθυμιαν σαρκος ). Bad sense here as usual in Paul, but not so in ; . The word is just craving or longing (from επι, θυμος , yearning after).

‏ Galatians 5:16-24

Ye shall not fulfil ( ου μη τελεσητε ). Rather, "Ye will not fulfil." Strong double negative with aorist active subjunctive.

The lust of the flesh ( επιθυμιαν σαρκος ). Bad sense here as usual in Paul, but not so in 1Th 2:17; Php 1:23. The word is just craving or longing (from επι, θυμος, yearning after).

Lusteth against ( επιθυμε κατα ). Like a tug of war. This use of σαρξ as opposed to the Spirit (Holy Spirit) personifies σαρξ. Lightfoot argues that επιθυμε cannot be used with the Spirit and so some other verb must be supplied for it. But that is wholly needless, for the verb, like επιθυμια, does not mean evil desire, but simply to long for. Christ and Satan long for the possession of the city of Man Soul as Bunyan shows.

Are contrary the one to the other ( αλληλοις αντικειτα ). Are lined up in conflict, face to face ( αντι- ), a spiritual duel (cf. Christ's temptations), with dative case of personal interest ( αλληλοις ).

That ye may not do ( ινα μη ποιητε ). "That ye may not keep on doing" (present active subjunctive of ποιεω ).

That ye would ( α εαν θελητε ). "Whatever ye wish" (indefinite relative with εαν and present subjunctive).

Under the law ( υπο νομον ). Instead of "under the flesh" as one might expect. See Ga 3:2-6 for contrast between law and spirit. The flesh made the law weak (Rom 8:3; Heb 9:10, 13). They are one and the same in result. See same idea in Ro 8:14. Note present tense of αγεσθε (if you are continually led by the Spirit). See verse 23.

Manifest ( φανερα ). Opposed to "hidden" ( κρυπτα ). Ancient writers were fond of lists of vices and virtues. Cf. Stalker's sermons on The Seven Cardinal Virtues and The Seven Deadly Sins. There are more than seven in this deadly list in verses 19-21. He makes the two lists in explanation of the conflict in verse 17 to emphasize the command in verses 13f. There are four groups in Paul's list of manifest vices: (I) Sensual sins like fornication ( πορνεια, prostitution, harlotry), uncleanness ( ακαθαρσια, moral impurity), lasciviousness ( ασελγεια, wantonness), sexual vice of all kinds prevailed in heathenism. (2) Idolatry ( ειδωλατρεια, worship of idols) and witchcraft ( φαρμακεια from φαρμακον, a drug, the ministering of drugs), but the sorcerers monopolized the word for a while in their magical arts and used it in connection with idolatry. In N.T. only here and Re 18:23. See Ac 19:19 περιεργα, curious arts. (3) Personal relations expressed by eight words, all old words, sins of the spirit, like enmities ( εξθρα, personal animosities), strife ( ερις, rivalry, discord), jealousies ( ζηλος or ζηλο, MSS. vary, our very word), wraths ( θυμο, stirring emotions, then explosions), factions ( εριθεια, from εριθος, day labourer for hire, worker in wool, party spirit), divisions ( διχοστασια, splits in two, διχα and στασις ), heresies ( αιρεσεις, the very word, but really choosings from αιρεομα, preferences), envyings ( φθονο, feelings of ill-will). Surely a lively list. (4)

Drunkenness ( μεθα, old word and plural, drunken excesses, in N.T. only here and Lu 21:34; Ro 13:13), revellings ( κωμο, old word also for drinking parties like those in honour of Bacchus, in N.T. only here and Ro 13:13; 1Pe 4:3).

And such like ( κα τα ομοια τουτοις ). And the things like these (associative instrumental τουτοις after ομοια, like). It is not meant to be exhaustive, but it is representative.

Forewarn ( προλεγω )

--did forewarn ( προειπον ). Paul repeats his warning given while with them. He did his duty then. Gentile churches were peculiarly subject to these sins. But who is not in danger from them?

Practise ( πρασσοντες ). Πρασσω is the verb for habitual practice (our very word, in fact), not ποιεω for occasional doing. The

habit of these sins is proof that one is not in the Kingdom of God and will not inherit it.

The fruit of the Spirit ( ο καρπος του πνευματος ). Paul changes the figure from

works ( εργα ) in verse 19 to fruit as the normal out-cropping of the Holy Spirit in us. It is a beautiful tree of fruit that Paul pictures here with nine luscious fruits on it:

Love ( αγαπη ). Late, almost Biblical word. First as in 1Co 13, which see for discussion as superior to φιλια and ερως.

Joy ( χαρα ). Old word. See on 1Th 1:6.

Peace ( ειρηνη ). See on 1Th 1:1.

Long-suffering ( μακροθυμια ). See on 2Co 6:6.

Kindness ( χρηστοτης ). See on 2Co 6:6.

Goodness ( αγαθωσυνη ). See on 2Th 1:11.

Faithfulness ( πιστις ). Same word as "faith." See on Mt 23:33; 1Co 13:7, 13.

Meekness ( πραυτης ). See on 1Co 4:21; 2Co 10:1.

Temperance ( εγκρατεια ). See on Ac 24:25. Old word from εγκρατης, one holding control or holding in. In N.T. only in these passages and 2Pe 1:6. Paul has a better list than the four cardinal virtues of the Stoics (temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice), though they are included with better notes struck. Temperance is alike, but kindness is better than justice, long-suffering than fortitude, love than prudence.

Crucified the flesh ( την σαρκα εσταυρωσαν ). Definite event, first aorist active indicative of σταυροω as in 2:19 (mystical union with Christ). Paul uses σαρξ here in the same sense as in verses 16, 17, 19, "the force in men that makes for evil" (Burton).

With ( συν ). "Together with," emphasizing "the completeness of the extermination of this evil force" and the guarantee of victory over one's passions and dispositions toward evil.