Galatians 5:21

Translations

Modern

…and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Traditional

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.

Literal

…envies, drunkennesses, carousings, and things like these, as to which I say to you beforehand, as also I said before, that those doing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Latin

…invidiæ, homicidia, ebrietates, comessationes, et his similia, quæ prædico vobis, sicut prædixi: quoniam qui talia agunt, regnum Dei non consequentur.

Original

Greek

English

…and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Notes

Galatians 5:21

Drunkenness does not belong in a Christian's life (see Luke 21:34; 1 Corinthians 11:20 –22; Ephesians 5:18).
orgies: Religious celebrations for false gods often included wild parties with lots of drinking and sexual sin (compare 1 Peter 4:3).
and the like: This list shows examples of sinful behaviors (compare Mark 7:20 –23; Romans 1:29 –31; 1 Corinthians 6:9 –10; Ephesians 5:3 –5; Colossians 3:5 –8; 1 Timothy 1:9 –10; 2 Tim 3:2 –5; James 3:13 –18; Revelation 21:8). People living this way do not follow the Holy Spirit and so they do not show a relationship with God by faith. Such people will not inherit the kingdom of God. They remain slaves to their sinful nature (Galatians 4:8 –9, 22 –25; compare Romans 6:16 –22; 1 Corinthians 6:9 –10). They are not under God’s rule.

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 6:9–10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts,
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 13:13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
Ephesians 5:5–6
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Colossians 3:6
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Revelation 21:27
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
1 Peter 4:3
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
1 Thessalonians 5:7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Luke 21:34
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.

Galatians 5:21

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