Galatians 5:21
What does Galatians 5:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:21 means
Paul adds envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and “such like,” signaling that the list is representative, not exhaustive. He then issues a clear warning he had given before: those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. “Practice” denotes a settled lifestyle, not an isolated lapse. The kingdom is God’s saving reign; exclusion from it is no small matter. The warning serves both to awaken the deceived and to exhort believers to reject the flesh’s path. Grace does not trivialize sin; it delivers from its dominion. The Spirit’s way, not the flesh’s, marks those who belong to the kingdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Envyings, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Envy, uncontrolled drinking and feasting, and such things: of which I give you word clearly, even as I did in the past, that they who do such things will have no part in the kingdom of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like, of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that those doing such things the reign of God shall not inherit.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you beforehand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inheritGod's kingdom.
Context
After detailing the flesh’s works (vv.19–21a), Paul concludes with a solemn warning about inheritance. This underscores the stakes of the ethical choices being made in Galatia. The next verses (22–23) will present the contrasting fruit of the Spirit, virtues that harmonize with God’s kingdom and draw no condemnation from the law. The movement is from exposure and warning to hope and invitation—see what the Spirit brings forth in those who are Christ’s.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:7
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.
- Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- Colossians 3:6
for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience:
- 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,
- Deuteronomy 21:20
and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
- Ephesians 5:5
For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
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