Galatians 5:20

Translations

Modern

…idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,

Traditional

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Literal

…idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of rage, rivalries, dissensions, factions,

Latin

…idolorum servitus, veneficia, inimicitiæ, contentiones, æmulationes, iræ, rixæ, dissensiones, sectæ,

Original

Greek

English

…idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,

Notes

Galatians 5:20

Idolatry (the worship of false gods) was common in Galatia and often included sorcery ("magic arts," see Acts 19:19; compare 1 Samuel 15:23; Revelation 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15). It also often included sexual immorality (compare 1 Corinthians 6:9, 15 –20).
Hatred causes people to fight with others, which is the opposite of the Holy Spirit's way of humility and love (Galatians 5:22 –23).
Discord means causing arguments and looking for fights, not peacefully defending what is right (1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9). Those who are guided by the Holy Spirit speak what is true with love and try to make peace with others (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:23 –26).
Jealousy (in Greek zēlos, meaning "zeal") can mean a positive "passionate commitment" or a negative "intense desire for others' things" (compare James 3:14 –16).
Rage (violent and uncontrolled anger) is the opposite of self-control (Galatians 5:23; see, for example, Acts 19:28; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
Rivalries (or selfishness) oppose Christian love (compare Romans 2:8; Philippians 2:3; James 3:14, 16).
Factions (in Greek haireseis, meaning "heresies, factions, sects") refers to using different beliefs or practices to divide the community (compare 1 Corinthians 11:17 –19; 2 Peter 2:1 –3).

Galatians 5:19–26

These two lists compare life controlled by sinful desires (5:19 –21) with life guided by the Holy Spirit (5:22 –26). Living by the Spirit means following a higher moral standard than the law can provide.

Galatians 5:16–26

A faith without laws will not cause moral ruin. The Holy Spirit guides people, changing their hearts to follow God's will and not sin (see Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).

Galatians 5:13–6:10

Paul explains that justification (being in right relationship with God) comes by faith alone. He then asks, "If we do not follow the law, what guides our behavior?" He answers that the Holy Spirit provides righteousness. The Judaizers (Jewish Christians who believed in following traditional Jewish laws) likely warned that Paul's message of freedom could lead believers to moral failure (5:1). Paul argues that freedom is not an excuse to sin because love guides Christians. We should use our freedom to serve each other with love (see also 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Circumcision Faith and Good Deeds Family, Community, and Sexual Sin God’s Covenant with Israel’s Kings Holiness and Sexual Purity Holiness by Relationship Sin Enters the World Social Chaos in Judges The Dangers of Sin The Law and the Spirit The Old Life and the New Life The Old Realm and the New The Purpose of the Sinai Covenant

Related verses

1 Corinthians 11:19
And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.
Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
Titus 3:10
Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
2 Corinthians 11:19
For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise.
Acts 8:9–11
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
1 Chronicles 10:13–14
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,
Deuteronomy 18:10
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,
Acts 16:16–19
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.
1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Ezekiel 22:18
“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver.

Galatians 5:20

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