Galatians 5:20
What does Galatians 5:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:20 means
The catalog continues with idolatry and sorcery—false worship and manipulative spirituality—and then a series of relational sins: enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties. These reveal hearts curved inward, seeking control, status, or revenge. Such patterns fracture communities and contradict the love Paul has just commended. The presence of religious sins alongside social sins shows that flesh can wear many faces: ritualistic religion and relational rivalry alike. The Spirit liberates from both by re-centering life on God and neighbor. Recognizing these as “works” cautions against self-justification; they proceed from the old nature, not from grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Worship of images, use of strange powers, hates, fighting, desire for what another has, angry feelings, attempts to get the better of others, divisions, false teachings,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, emulations, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, sects,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, disputes, schools of opinion,
Context
Continuing the list of fleshly works, verse 20 moves from sexual to religious and relational sins. It highlights how the flesh distorts worship and community alike. Verse 21 will finish the list with additional vices, then issue a sobering warning about the kingdom. The stark picture prepares readers to appreciate the Spirit’s alternative—the singular “fruit” in verses 22–23—that fosters worship of God and harmonious relationships.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 22:18
Son of man, the house of Israel is become dross unto me: all of them are brass and tin and iron and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are the dross of silver.
- Acts 16:16
And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
- Acts 8:9
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
- 1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.
- 1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
- 2 Peter 2:1
But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
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