Galatians Chapter 5 · Verse 19
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Original Language Analysis
φανερὰ
manifest
G5318
φανερὰ
manifest
Strong's:
G5318
Word #:
1 of 13
shining, i.e., apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργα
the works
G2041
ἔργα
the works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
5 of 13
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκός
of the flesh
G4561
σαρκός
of the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
7 of 13
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
πορνεία
fornication
G4202
πορνεία
fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
11 of 13
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
Cross References
Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Galatians 6:8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.1 Corinthians 3:3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?Titus 3:3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.Romans 8:5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.1 Corinthians 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.Galatians 5:17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.Psalms 17:4Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Historical Context
Greco-Roman sexual ethics were radically different from Christian morality. Prostitution was legal and common; pederasty was accepted in Greek culture; adultery was condemned for women but tolerated for men; sexual slavery was normal. Early Christianity's sexual ethics—monogamous heterosexual marriage, chastity outside marriage, fidelity within marriage, equal standards for men and women—was countercultural and revolutionary. Paul warns: Christian freedom isn't license to adopt pagan sexual morality. Spirit-walking produces biblical sexual purity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does contemporary culture's sexual ethic resemble ancient paganism's 'works of the flesh'?
- What role does the Spirit play in producing sexual purity in a sex-saturated culture?
- How do you guard against the flesh's sexual desires through Spirit-walking rather than mere rule-keeping?
Analysis & Commentary
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Paul lists flesh's ugly fruit. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest" (phanera de estin ta erga tēs sarkos, φανερὰ δέ ἐστιν τὰ ἔργα τῆς σαρκός)—the flesh's works are obvious, evident, visible. "Works" (erga, ἔργα) are plural: multiple ugly productions. The list isn't exhaustive but representative. First category: sexual sins. "Adultery" (not in best manuscripts, later addition). "Fornication" (porneia, πορνεία)—sexual immorality of all kinds, including premarital sex, adultery, prostitution.
"Uncleanness" (akatharsia, ἀκαθαρσία)—moral impurity, shameful conduct, perverted sexuality. "Lasciviousness" (aselgeia, ἀσέλγεια)—sensuality, debauchery, shameless excess, outrageous conduct shocking public decency. These sexual sins characterized pagan Greco-Roman culture: temple prostitution, pederasty, promiscuity, sexual slavery. The flesh, unchecked by the Spirit, produces sexual chaos. Modern sexual revolution demonstrates flesh's unchanged nature: apart from the Spirit, humanity descends into sexual degradation.