Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Galatians 5:19

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness," — Galatians 5:19 (ASV)

When Paul says that the “acts of the sinful nature” are obvious, he does not mean that they are all committed publicly where they may be seen. Some are, some are not. Instead, he means that it is obvious to all that such acts originate with the sinful nature, not with the nature given believers by God. Here the full scope of the word sarx (“flesh”) becomes evident, for the list not only contains the so-called “fleshly” sins, but it also contains sins that emanate from every part of human nature.

Four divisions of sin are obvious in his list: (1) three violations of sexual morality; (2) two sins from the religious realm; (3) eight sins pertaining to conduct in regard to other human beings—i.e., social sins; and (4) two typically pagan sins.

(1) The first three words cover sexual sins. They are obviously intended to be somewhat comprehensive and inclusive. “Sexual immorality” or “fornication” (porneia; GK 4518) is the broadest term, denoting any immoral sexual intercourse or relationship. In starting with this vice, Paul begins with what was acknowledged to be the most open and shameless vice of the Greek and Roman world. “Impurity” (GK 174) refers to a person who was either morally or ceremonially unclean. Paul uses it almost exclusively of moral impurity. “Debauchery” (GK 816; cf. also 2 Corinthians 12:21) is an open and shameless contempt of what is proper. In this regard it is a fitting term for what is probably intended to be a climax of several evils.