Galatians 5 · Verse 19

Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:19, King James Version

Galatians 5:19 in other translations

BSBThe acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
WEBNow the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
ASVNow the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
YLTAnd manifest also are the works of the flesh, which are: Adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
DARBYNow the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
BBENow the works of the flesh are clear, which are these: evil desire, unclean things, wrong use of the senses,
WebsterNow the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

What does Galatians 5:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 5:19-23
19-23. Confirming Ga 5:18, by showing the contrariety between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. manifest--The hidden fleshly principle betrays itself palpably by its works, so that these are not hard to discover, and leave no doubt that they come not from the Spirit. which are these--Greek, "such as," for instance. Adultery--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. lasciviousness--rather, "wantonness" petulance, capricious insolence; it may display itself in "lasciviousness," but not necessarily or constantly so (Mr 7:21, 22, where it is not associated with fleshly lusts) [Trench]. "Works" (in the plural) are attributed to the "flesh," because they are divided, and often at variance with one another, and even when taken each one by itself, betray their fleshly origin. But the "fruit of the Spirit" (Ga 5:23) is singular, because, however manifold the results, they form one harmonious whole. The results of the flesh are not dignified by the name "fruit"; they are but works (Ep 5:9, 11). He enumerates those fleshly "works" (committed against our neighbor, against God, and against ourselves) to which the Galatians were most prone (the Celts have always been prone to disputations and internal strifes): and those manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit most needed by them (Ga 5:13, 15). This passage shows that "the flesh" does not mean merely sensuality, as opposed to spirituality: for "divisions" in the catalogue here do not flow from sensuality. The identification of "the natural (Greek, 'animal-souled') man," with the "carnal" or fleshly man (1Co 2:14), shows that "the flesh" expresses human nature as estranged from God. Trench observes, as a proof of our fallen state, how much richer is every vocabulary in words for sins, than in those for graces. Paul enumerates seventeen "works of the flesh," only nine manifestations of "the fruit of the Spirit" (compare Ep 4:31).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. Now the works of the flesh. What the flesh, or what corrupt and unrenewed human nature produces.

Are manifest. Plain, well-known. The world is full of illustrations of what corrupt human nature produces; and as to the existence and nature of those works, no one can be ignorant, It is evident here that the word σαρξ, flesh, is used to denote corrupt human nature, and not merely the body; since many of the vices here enumerated are the passions of the mind, or the soul, rather than of the body. Such are "wrath," "strife," "heresies," "envyings," etc., which cannot be said to have their seat in the body. If the word, therefore, is used to denote human nature, the passage furnishes a sad commentary on its tendency, and on the character of man. It is closely parallel to the declaration of the Saviour in Mt 15:19. Of the nature of most of these sins, or works of the flesh, it is unnecessary to offer any comment. They are not so rare as not to be well known, and the meaning of the words requires little exposition. In regard to the existence of these vices as the result of human nature, Rom 1:1 and following; a single glance at the history of the past, or at the present condition of the heathen and a large part of the Christian world, would furnish an ample and a painful demonstration.

(g) "flesh" Mt 15:19, Eph 5:3-6, Col 3:5,6, Rev 22:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest - By flesh we are to understand the evil and fallen state of the soul, no longer under the guidance of God's Spirit and right reason, but under the animal passions; and they are even rendered more irregular and turbulent by the influence of sin; so that man is in a worse state than the brute: and so all-commanding is this evil nature that it leads men into all kinds of crimes; and among them the following, which are manifest - known to all, and most prevalent; and, though these are most solemnly forbidden by your law, the observance of its ordinances gives no power to overcome them, and provides no pardon for the guilt and condemnation produced by them. Adultery - Μοιχεια· Illicit connection with a married person. This word is wanting in this place in the best MSS., versions, and fathers; the next term often comprehending both. Fornication - Πορνεια· Illicit connection between single or unmarried persons; yet often signifying adultery also. Uncleanness - Ακαθαπσια· Whatever is opposite to purity; probably meaning here, as in Rom 1:24; 2Cor 12:21, unnatural practices; sodomy, bestiality. Lasciviousness - Ασελγεια· Whatever is contrary to chastity; all lewdness.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 5:16-26

If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us. Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not…

Read the full comment on Galatians 5:16-26 →

Galatians 5:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

φανερὰphaneraEvidentG5318
δέdenowG1161
ἐστινestinareG1510
τὰtatheG3588
ἔργαergaworksG2041
τῆςtēsof theG3588
σαρκὸςsarkosfleshG4561
ἅτινάhatinawhichG3748
ἐστινestinareG1510
μοιχείαmoicheiaadulteryG3430
πορνεία,porneiasexual immorality,G4202
ἀκαθαρσία,akatharsiaimpurity,G167
ἀσέλγεια,aselgeiasensuality,G766

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Galatians 5:19

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

    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 mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

  • Colossians 3:5-8

    Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

  • Matthew 15:18-19

    But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

  • 1 Peter 4:2-4

    That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

  • Revelation 21:8

    But 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.

  • Ephesians 5:3-6

    But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

  • Galatians 6:8

    For 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.

  • Titus 3:3

    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:3

    For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

  • Romans 8:13

    For 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.

  • Mark 7:21-23

    For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

  • Romans 8:5

    For 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the works.
13,17; 6:8; Ps 17:4; Joh 3:6; Ro 7:5,18,25; 8:3,5,9,13; 1Co 3:3
1Pe 4:2
Adultery.
Eze 22:6-13; Mt 15:18,19; Mr 7:21-23; Ro 1:21-32; 1Co 6:9,10
2Co 12:20,21; Eph 4:17-19; 5:3-6; Col 3:5-8; 1Ti 1:9,10; Tit 3:3
Jas 3:14,15; 1Pe 4:3,4; Re 21:8; 22:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Galatians 5:18

    But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

  • Galatians 5:19

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

  • Galatians 5:20

    Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Read all of Galatians 5

Galatians 5:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y manifiestas son las obras de la carne, que son: adulterio, fornicación, inmundicia, disolución,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or les œuvres de la chair sont manifestes, lesquelles sont la fornication, l’impureté, l’impudicité,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Offenbar aber sind die Werke des Fleisches, welche sind: Hurerei, Unreinigkeit, Ausschweifung,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Manifesta sunt autem opera carnis, quæ sunt fornicatio, immunditia, impudicitia, luxuria,