Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Galatians 5:20

"idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties," — Galatians 5:20 (ASV)

(2) Paul goes on to list two sins of religion: “idolatry” (GK 1630), the worship of the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:21—25), and “witchcraft” (GK 5758), a secret tampering with and at times a worship of the powers of evil. These two terms are arranged in an ascending horror of evil and indicate that the works of the sinful nature include offenses against God as well as against ourselves or our neighbors.

(3) Neighbors are in view in the third section of Paul’s list, since it includes much of what would today be called social offenses. Most of the words are selfexplanatory. “Hatred” (GK 2397) means “enmities,” such as those between classes, nations, and individuals. It is these enmities that have been broken down for those who are in Christ (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14–16). “Discord” (GK 2251) is the natural outcome of hatred both in the world and in the church. Four out of six of Paul’s uses of the word are connected with church life. “Jealousy” (GK 2419) and “fits of rage” (GK 2596) can denote both good and bad qualities. There is a godly jealousy or zeal as well as righteous anger. When either originates from selfish motives and hurt pride, however, it is evil and harms others. “Selfish ambition” (GK 2249) may be translated in many ways: contention, strife, selfishness, rivalry, intrigues. Its basic meaning is a selfish and self-aggrandizing approach to work. “Dissensions” (GK 1496) and “factions” (GK 146) denote a state of affairs in which people are divided and feuds flourish.