Galatians 5:21
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Truth to Learn
The evidence of salvation is in our actions, not our words.
Behind the Words
The word “envy” is translated from phthonos, which refers to “pain felt and ill will conceived at the sight of excellence or happiness in someone else.”
“Murders” is the translation of the Greek word phonos, which is from the verb phenō, meaning “to murder.” Hence, phonos (used in the plural in this verse) refers to “murders or the slaughter of innocent lives.”
The Greek word methē, means “an intoxicant” but, by implication, refers to the result of the intoxicant. Here it is translated as “drunkenness.” Once again, this word is used in the plural implying repeated drunkenness.
The word translated “revelries” is kōmos, which refers to feasting. Used in the plural as it is here, it means “riotous conduct.”
The drunkenness and revelries spoken of here by Paul are most likely a reference to festivities in honor of certain pagan gods, especially Bacchus, the god of wine. These festivities included feastings and drunkenness accompanied by impurity and obscenity of the grossest kind.
“Practice” is translated from prossō, which expresses an action as continual or as not yet completed. Hence, it means “that which one does repeatedly.”
Meaning Explained
Paul has just listed what he calls works of the flesh. These are thoughts put into action which spring from our sin nature. And he tells the Galatians beforehand that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. But what does Paul mean by “beforehand?” Before what? Before the kingdom of God. There is a sense in which we are spiritually part of God’s kingdom now, but Paul is referring to the eternal state, heaven.
In the book of Revelation, we are told about New Jerusalem where we will spend eternity with God. We are also told who will be admitted and who won’t:
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14, 15)
We all have a sin nature and the works of our flesh occasionally rear their ugly head. But, anyone who continually exhibits the works of the flesh is clearly not a child of God.
Application
There are some in our churches today who claim to be Christian but live by the works of the flesh. If they were really saved, they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and would not continually do these things. We need to pray for them!
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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