Galatians – Chapter Five XXXI

by Ed Urzi

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are… envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19, 21).

The final set of characteristics listed in Galatians 5:19-21 begins with envy. We can associate envy with a feeling of discontent and/or resentment that occurs when someone else is blessed or successful. If an envious person cannot have something others enjoy, he or she may belittle or disparage the talents, qualities, assets, or accomplishments they possess.

One commentator recites an ancient Stoic proverb that serves to illustrate an envious mindset: “Envy is to grieve at another’s good.” (1) Another source offers the following observation: “(Envy) doesn’t so much want what someone else has (as in jealousies), but it is bitter just because someone else has something and we don’t.” (2)

We can often identify the presence of envy by taking an honest and objective look at our attitude towards others. For instance, are we offended by those who possess more than we do? Do we grudgingly resent their success? If we are engaged in a competition, do we seek to win or do we secretly desire to see others lose? These characteristics (and others like them) are inconsistent with a God-honoring attitude according to the New Testament book of James…

“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:14-16).

Envy is then followed by “murders” here in Galatians 5:21. We can define murder as “the unlawful killing of one human being by another.(3) This definition covers several types of different homicidal acts. For example, a premeditated murder describes a homicide that begins with an intent to kill another human being. A non-premeditated murder is also known as manslaughter. Unlike a premeditated murder, manslaughter may be voluntary (as in the intent to injure but not kill someone) or involuntary (as in a criminally negligent homicide).

Regardless of its form, murder is a crime that demonstrates a callous disregard for human life and contempt for those who are created in God’s image. Therefore, one cannot be an unrepentant murderer and expect to spend eternity with the Author of life.

(1) Dr. Bob Utley. Free Bible Commentary, Galatians 5 [5:21] Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL07/VOL07A_02.html

(2) David Guzik, Galatians 5 – Standing Fast In the Liberty of Jesus https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/galatians-5/

(3) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.