Gal 5:19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 5:19-26: 5:19-26 These two lists contrast life dominated by the sinful nature (5:19-21 ) with life led by the Spirit (5:22-26 ). Living by the Spirit means observing a higher ethical standard than can be achieved under the law. 5:19 When you follow ... the results are (literally The works of the flesh are ): An emphasis on law-keeping and sinful actions both flow from trying to live apart from the power of God’s Spirit. • very clear: Basic understanding of right and wrong is universal (cp. Rom 1:32 ; 2:14-15 ; 1 Cor 5:1 ), though some people suppress this awareness (Rom 1:18-21 ). • The list begins with sexual immorality; in contrast, the list of Christian virtues begins with love (Gal 5:22 ). All kinds of sexual misconduct were common (cp. Rom 1:24-27 ; 1 Cor 5:1 ; 6:15-18 ; 2 Cor 12:21 ; 2 Pet 3:10 , 18 ). Sexual immorality was connected in paganism with fertility worship (cp. Rev 2:14 , 20 ). • Moral impurity removes holiness and makes fellowship with a holy God impossible (see Matt 23:27 ; Rom 6:19 ; 2 Cor 12:21 ; Eph 5:3 ; Col 3:5 ; 1 Thes 4:7 ).

Summary for Gal 5:19-26: 5:19-26 ^a These two lists contrast life dominated by the sinful nature (5:19-21 ^b) with life led by the Spirit (5:22-26 ^c). Living by the Spirit means observing a higher ethical standard than can be achieved under the law. 5:19 ^d When you follow ... the results are (literally The works of the flesh are): An emphasis on law-keeping and sinful actions both flow from trying to live apart from the power of God’s Spirit.

• very clear: Basic understanding of right and wrong is universal (cp. Rom 1:32 ^e; 2:14-15 ^f; 1 Cor 5:1 ^g), though some people suppress this awareness (Rom 1:18-21 ^h).

• The list begins with sexual immorality; in contrast, the list of Christian virtues begins with love (Gal 5:22 ⁱ). All kinds of sexual misconduct were common (cp. Rom 1:24-27 ^j; 1 Cor 5:1 ^k; 6:15-18 ^l; 2 Cor 12:21 ^m; 2 Pet 3:10 ⁿ, 18 ^o). Sexual immorality was connected in paganism with fertility worship (cp. Rev 2:14 ^p, 20 ^q).

• Moral impurity removes holiness and makes fellowship with a holy God impossible (see Matt 23:27 ^r; Rom 6:19 ^s; 2 Cor 12:21 ^t; Eph 5:3 ^u; Col 3:5 ^v; 1 Thes 4:7 ^w).