Galatians 5:21 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Galatians 5:21 kjv
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.
Galatians 5:21 nkjv
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.
Galatians 5:21 niv
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:21 esv
envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:21 nlt
envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Galatians 5 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text (shortened) | Reference (short note) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 6:9-10 | Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit... idolaters, adulterers... drunkards, revilers... | Similar list, explicitly stating exclusion from kingdom |
| Eph 5:3-5 | But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness... For you may be sure of this, that everyone... has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. | Parallel warning about lack of inheritance for specific sins |
| Col 3:5-8 | Put to death therefore what is earthly... sexual immorality... Now you must rid yourselves of all such things: anger, wrath, malice... | List of vices to be put off by believers |
| Rom 1:29-31 | They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness... envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity... | Extensive list of ungodly behaviors common to humanity |
| Rev 21:8 | But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral... their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur... | Explicit eternal judgment for similar actions |
| 1 Tim 1:9-10 | ...for the lawless and disobedient... for those who strike their fathers... for murderers, for sexually immoral... | Specific examples of conduct contrary to God's law |
| 2 Pet 2:13 | ...luxuriating in their deceit while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin... | Description of revelry and indulgence |
| Titus 3:3 | For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures... | Prior state of unredeemed humanity, contrasting with new life |
| Mt 25:34 | Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom... | Promise of inheritance to the righteous |
| 1 Cor 15:50 | I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God... | Emphasizes spiritual transformation for inheritance |
| Jas 2:5 | Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom... | Inheritance of the kingdom linked to faith and love for God |
| Rev 5:10 | and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” | Future aspect of the Kingdom and the believer's role |
| Gal 5:16 | But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. | Immediate context: the antidote to the works of the flesh |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... | Immediate context: the contrasting outcome of walking in the Spirit |
| Rom 8:5-8 | For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh... For to set the mind on the flesh is death... | Contrasts mind set on flesh vs. Spirit, with grave consequences |
| Eph 4:22-24 | to put off your old self... and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God... | Necessity of a transformed life in Christ |
| Col 3:1-2 | If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above... Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. | Call to live a spiritually-minded, transformed life |
| John 3:5-7 | Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. | Requirement of new birth to enter the Kingdom |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Emphasizes the necessity of holiness to experience God |
| Matt 7:21 | Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father... | Emphasizes actions reflecting true obedience over mere profession |
| Ps 5:4-6 | For you are not a God who delights in wickedness... The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. | God's aversion to wickedness and its practitioners |
Galatians 5 verses
Galatians 5 21 meaning
Galatians 5:21 serves as a stark warning, concluding Paul's enumeration of the "works of the flesh." It declares that lives consistently characterized by envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and similar egregious behaviors are incompatible with and will not participate in the Kingdom of God. This signifies exclusion from God's salvific reign and the eternal blessings promised to those who follow Him, emphasizing that genuine Christian liberty is not a license for immorality but a call to spiritual transformation.
Galatians 5 21 Context
Galatians 5:21 concludes Paul's sobering list of the "works of the flesh" found in verses 19-21, contrasting them sharply with the "fruit of the Spirit" presented in verses 22-23. The broader context of Galatians is Paul's defense of salvation by faith in Christ alone, in opposition to those who insisted on adherence to Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, for salvation (Judaizers). Paul asserts that believers are set free by Christ (Gal 5:1) but warns that this freedom is not an excuse for indulging the flesh (Gal 5:13). Instead, this freedom enables believers to live a new life "by the Spirit," leading to righteous conduct. Verse 21 serves as a dire warning about the eternal consequences for those whose lives are dominated by unrepentant, fleshly practices, making it clear that such behavior is incompatible with true Christian faith and entrance into God's kingdom.
Historically, the churches in Galatia were located in a region steeped in various pagan religious practices and moral laxity common in the Greco-Roman world. The works of the flesh listed by Paul (including drunkenness and revelries) were prevalent vices, and the warning served to distinguish Christian conduct from prevailing societal norms and reinforce the necessity of transformed living.
Galatians 5 21 Word analysis
- envyings (φθόνοι, phthonoi): A plural noun denoting intense and often malicious ill-will, resentment, or jealousy over another's advantages, success, or possessions. It represents a destructive attitude stemming from discontent with one's own state, leading to active efforts to harm or diminish the envied person.
- murders (φόνοι, phonoi): A plural noun, straightforwardly meaning acts of killing or assassination. This word represents the ultimate act of malice and violence, showcasing the extreme destructiveness possible when fleshly desires are unchecked.
- drunkenness (μέθαι, methai): A plural noun, referring to repeated acts or habits of intoxication from alcohol. This denotes a lack of self-control that frequently leads to impaired judgment and further sinful behaviors.
- revellings (κῶμοι, kōmoi): A plural noun for riotous feasting, debauched parties, or orgies. These were common in pagan religious celebrations and secular festivities, characterized by unrestrained sensuality, excessive eating and drinking, and general dissipation.
- and such like (καὶ τὰ ὅμοια τούτοις, kai ta homoia toutois): This phrase indicates that the preceding list is illustrative rather than exhaustive. It encompasses any similar behaviors, attitudes, or actions that align with the spirit and nature of the "works of the flesh." Paul is setting forth a type of life.
- I tell you before (προλέγω ὑμῖν, prolegō hymin): Paul emphasizes that this is not new teaching but a prior solemn declaration, indicating its importance and his consistent instruction to them regarding moral conduct.
- as I have also told you in time past (καθὼς καὶ προεῖπον, kathōs kai proeipton): Reinforces the prior warning, underscoring that this message of ethical accountability and its consequences is foundational and repeatedly taught.
- that they which do such things (ὅτι οἱ τὰ τοιαῦτα πράσσοντες, hoti hoi ta toiūta prassontes): Refers to those whose lives are characterized by these actions, not individuals who might struggle with isolated sins but are genuinely striving for righteousness. It points to a dominant pattern or lifestyle.
- shall not inherit (κληρονομήσουσιν, klēronomēsousin): A future indicative verb, definitively stating the outcome. "To inherit" implies receiving a portion, property, or title by right, often through family connection. Here, it refers to the spiritual inheritance provided by God.
- the kingdom of God (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ, tēn basileian tou theou): Refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both its present spiritual reality in the hearts of believers and its future eschatological consummation. Not inheriting it means exclusion from its blessings, protection, and eternal life with God.
Galatians 5 21 Bonus section
- Textual Variant on "murders": Some early and significant Greek manuscripts (e.g., Papyrus 46, Codex Vaticanus) omit the word "murders" (φόνοι) from Galatians 5:21. However, it is overwhelmingly present in other major manuscripts and early church father citations, and similar lists of sins across the New Testament frequently include murder. Modern translations generally retain "murders," recognizing its inclusion aligns with Paul's comprehensive warning against grievous sin and its severity.
- The "Kingdom of God" as both present and future: Not inheriting the Kingdom implies exclusion from both its present spiritual realities (such as the peace and joy found in the Holy Spirit – Rom 14:17) and its future, perfected eternal state. It signifies a profound separation from God's salvific reign and ultimate blessings.
- Focus on pattern, not perfection: The phrase "they which do such things" emphasizes a lifestyle or consistent pattern of unrepentant sin rather than isolated acts of failure. While believers may stumble and struggle with sin, those who do these things as a defining characteristic of their lives demonstrate an unregenerate heart, disconnected from the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5 21 Commentary
Galatians 5:21 functions as the critical summation of Paul's warning against yielding to the "flesh." It unequivocally states that a life defined by consistent engagement in the "works of the flesh" – such as envy, murder, drunkenness, and revelry – will preclude an individual from inheriting the Kingdom of God. This isn't about salvation being earned by abstaining from specific vices, but rather about the inherent incompatibility between such an unrepentant, flesh-driven lifestyle and genuine faith. True believers, led by the Spirit, will increasingly manifest the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22-23), indicating a changed heart. The listed sins are representative of a broader category, as "and such like" indicates. The severity of the warning, repeatedly given by Paul, highlights that Christian liberty is not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin's dominion, empowering believers to live righteously. This verse underscores the necessity of a truly transformed life, marked by repentance and a desire to walk in God's ways, as evidence of one's participation in His kingdom.