Galatians 5:20

Analysis & Commentary

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Paul continues the vice list. Second category: religious sins. "Idolatry" (eidōlolatria, εἰδωλολατρία)—worship of false gods, idols. "Witchcraft" (pharmakeia, φαρμακεία)—sorcery, magic, drug-related occult practices. Pharmakeia involved potions, spells, occult manipulation. Third category: relational sins. "Hatred" (echthrai, ἔχθραι)—hostilities, enmities. "Variance" (eris, ἔρις)—strife, quarreling, discord.

"Emulations" (zēlos, ζῆλος)—jealousies, envying. "Wrath" (thymoi, θυμοί)—outbursts of anger, rage. "Strife" (eritheiai, ἐριθεῖαι)—selfish ambitions, factionalism. "Seditions" (dichostasiai, διχοστασίαι)—divisions, dissensions. "Heresies" (haireseis, αἱρέσεις)—sects, factions, divisive opinions. Notice how many are relational: the flesh produces community-destroying behaviors. Churches torn by anger, jealousy, factions, divisions manifest the flesh, not the Spirit. The Galatians' biting and devouring (5:15) evidenced fleshly control.

Historical Context

Paul's list combines sexual, religious, and social sins—showing the flesh corrupts all life areas. Ancient world was plagued by these: pagan religion (idolatry), occult practices (witchcraft), social conflict (the remaining vices). Early church struggled with these carryovers from pagan culture. Paul warns: walking in the flesh produces these destructive behaviors. Contemporary application: Western post-Christian culture manifests similar works of the flesh—secularism's false gods, New Age occultism, toxic social media conflicts, political tribalism, church divisions.

Questions for Reflection

• Which works of the flesh from this list are most prevalent in your life or church community?
• How do you recognize when conflict, division, and faction in churches stem from the flesh rather than legitimate doctrinal concern?
• What contemporary idols and witchcraft (occult practices, astrology, New Age) parallel ancient paganism?