Galatians 5:20

Galatians 5:20, in plain English

The list continues: worshiping false gods, occult practices, hatred, fighting, jealousy, rage, arguments, divisions, factions—basically all the ways people hurt each other and fracture community.

Why it's here

Paul moves from individual vices to relational and spiritual ones. He's showing that selfish living doesn't just corrupt you personally—it poisons your relationships and communities.

Who's speaking

Paul

Where it sits in the story

The contrast with the fruit of the Spirit (which comes next) is stark: the flesh divides and destroys; the Spirit unites and heals.

The scholarly reading

Continuing the catalogue: idolatry, sorcery, and interpersonal vices like hatred and division—sins of spirit and community as well as body.

Language and setting

Paul expands the flesh's manifestations beyond sexual to include religious (idolatry—εἰδωλολατρία, eidōlolatria), magical (sorcery—φαρμακεία, pharmakeia, literally 'drugging' or 'pharmaceutical', implying manipulation through occult means), and social vices. 'Hatred' (ἔχθρα, echthra), 'discord' (ἔρις, eris), 'jealousy' (ζῆλος, zelos—ambiguous passion), 'rage' (θυμός, thymos—hot anger), 'rivalries' (ἐριθείαι, eritheiai, literally 'hired labor for wages'—perhaps self-interested factional strife), 'divisions' (διχοστασία, dichostasia), and 'factions' (αἵρεσις, hairesis, literally 'choice' or 'sect') target community destruction. This second tier moves from individual vice to social pathology—the flesh doesn't merely corrupt individuals but fractures communal bonds. Notably, Paul includes idolatry and sorcery, suggesting the flesh operates spiritually, not merely physically. Some scholars (Martyn, de Boer) read this as Paul opposing not external pagan society but the Galatian Christians' susceptibility to fleshly orientation—including potential 'zealotry' (one sense of ζῆλος) for Torah.

Voice

Paul, continuing his catalogue of flesh's manifestations.

Significance

This expands Paul's understanding of sin beyond individual transgression to structural and communal corruption—the flesh operates through social systems, a theme developed throughout his letters regarding 'powers and principalities' (Ephesians 6:12).

18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,

21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Read all of Galatians 5 — You were called to freedom — but not freedom to indulge. Walk by the Spirit and the fruit that grows will be love, joy, peace, and self-control.