Galatians 5:19
What does Galatians 5:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:19 means
The works of the flesh are obvious; Paul begins with sexual sins: fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness. These cover illicit sexual acts, moral impurity in thought and behavior, and shameless sensuality. Such practices reveal a life ruled by the flesh rather than the Spirit. Paul emphasizes their obviousness because God’s moral standards are not obscure. The gospel does not blur right and wrong; it delivers from wrong by transforming the heart. Christians are to recognize these deeds as incompatible with their calling and to turn from them, not by mere willpower but by walking in the Spirit as taught in the preceding verses.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now the works of the flesh are clear, which are these: evil desire, unclean things, wrong use of the senses,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And manifest also are the works of the flesh, which are: Adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now the works of the flesh are manifest: which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
Context
Paul has affirmed that those led by the Spirit are not under the law (v.18). Now he lists behaviors that plainly arise from the flesh (vv.19–21). The list starts with sexual immorality and impurity, then will move to religious perversions and relational sins (v.20), and conclude with excesses and a warning (v.21). This prepares for the sharp contrast with the Spirit’s fruit in verses 22–23, showing what the Spirit produces instead.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 8:13
for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
- Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
- Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
- Revelation 21:8
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9
Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
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