Actions of the Flesh vs Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

The first article the is not in the text it was added and should be dropped. The word spirit should not be capitalized. You do not walk in God but the prompting of the spirit, he gave you. This is talking about our new nature.

The word fulfil is the Greek teleō  and is translated several different ways but it comes from the word telos. Teleo is the verb form of the noun telos. They both can be translated end. It can be reaching the end of a series. Reaching the 7th game of the world series. The 7th game would be teleo now the last out the walk off because you have 1 or more runs more than the other team and they have already had their chance in that inning to score and failed to do so would be the telos. A simpler example might be the tail of a dog the tail is the end of the dog but teleo would be the entire tail where telos would be the tip of the tail the very end of the dog. So you reach the end of your fulfilment not the end of all fulfilment.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

So it becomes apparent that God desires that we don’t get to the point we fulfil the lust of the flesh!

Instead he wants us to have the fruit of the spirit

It is interesting you can find reference to this as far back as Genesis 3:15 it talks about enmity between the woman's seed and the devil's seed. The devil inspires the works of the flesh and the spirit the works of the spirit and you decide which to follow. These will always oppose each other.

The unsaved or Natural Man (1 Corinthians 2:14) cannot understand this for he does not have holy spirit so he cannot understand it because it is spiritually discerned.

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

It is interesting you can find reference to this as far back as Genesis 3:15 it talks about enmity between the woman's seed and the devil's seed. The devil inspires the works of the flesh and the spirit the works of the spirit and you decide which to follow. These will always oppose each other. It’ like two animals headbutting.

The unsaved or Natural Man (1 Corinthians 2:14) cannot understand this for he does not have holy spirit so he cannot understand it because it is spiritually discerned.

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

Could this be any more clear? If you follow the spirit you are not under the law.

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

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

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let's break this down a bit.

We have

The Lusts of the Flesh

adultery	fornication	uncleanness	lasciviousness	idolatry	witchcraft
hatred	variance	emulations	wrath	strife	seditions
heresies	envyings	murders	drunkenness	revellings	and such like

Many of these words are synonyms for each other.

Adultery

Original Word: μοιχεία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: moicheia

Phonetic Spelling: (moy-khi'-ah)

Short Definition: adultery

Definition: adultery.

Now some of the texts contain the word adultery and some don’t. It is not in the oldest texts and there is disagreement between scholars about it.

Added Sin here is some more information on the subject please come back if you check it out.

This is from the Lamsa Bible:

(Lamsa Bible) Galatians 5:19 For the works of the flesh are well known, which are these, adultery, impurity, and lasciviousness

Notice there are only 3 things listed were in KJV there are 4 things listed. The meaning for fornication and adultery are almost the same. In our day and time it means extra marital sex but at the time of the writing both pre and post marital applied. The word used in KJV means after you are married porneia is the word for premarital sex but could be either depending on the context. It boils down to meaning sexual immorality

Fornication

porneia: fornication

Original Word: πορνεία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: porneia

Phonetic Spelling: (por-ni'-ah)

Short Definition: fornication, idolatry

Definition: fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry.

Used 26 times in the Word of God all translated fornication.

We get our word pornagraphy from this Greek word. I also find it interesting that it is metaphorically idolatry. In the Hebrew scriptures there are references to whoring after other gods (Exodus 34:15, 16 Leviticus 17:7, Judges 2:17 there are in the area of 80 uses as whoring for other Gods.)

Uncleanness

akatharsia: uncleanness

Original Word: ἀκαθαρσία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: akatharsia

Phonetic Spelling: (ak-ath-ar-see'-ah)

Short Definition: uncleanness, impurity

Definition: uncleanness, impurity.

It is used of morally unclean or impurity, it is used 10 times that way in the Greek Scriptures.

Lasciviousness

aselgeia: licentiousness, wantonness

Original Word: ἀσέλγεια, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: aselgeia

Phonetic Spelling: (as-elg'-i-a)

Short Definition: wantonness, lewdness

Definition: (outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence), wantonness, lewdness.

I looked up lewdnesson dictionary.com some of the synonyms lewd, obscene, pornographic, profanatory, profane

This word is used 9 times translated  lasciviousness (6x), wantonness (2x), filthy (1x).

Idolatry

eidólolatria: image worship

Original Word: εἰδωλολατρεία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: eidólolatria

Phonetic Spelling: (i-do-lol-at-ri'-ah)

Short Definition: worship or service of an image

Definition: service (worship) of an image (an idol).

It is used four times all translated idolatry

Witchcraft

pharmakeia: the use of medicine, drugs or spells

Original Word: φαρμακεία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: pharmakeia

Phonetic Spelling: (far-mak-i'-ah)

Short Definition: magic, sorcery, enchantment

Definition: magic, sorcery, enchantment.

We get our word pharmacy from this word. If anyone tells you the word of God says nothing about the use of drugs they do not know what they are talking about. More of witchcraft is based in the use of drugs in particular mind altering drugs than in incantations although that is a part of it as well.

It is used 3 times and translated  sorcery (2x), witchcraft (1x). Both the other uses are in the book of Revelation.

Enmity

echthra: enmity, hostility

Original Word: ἔχθρα, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: echthra

Phonetic Spelling: (ekh'-thrah)

Short Definition: enmity, hostility

Definition: enmity, hostility, alienation.

This word means hatred when you break it down. It first shows up in Genesis 3:15

Variance

eris: strife

Original Word: ἔρις, ιδος, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: eris

Phonetic Spelling: (er'-is)

Short Definition: contention, strife

Definition: contention, strife, wrangling.

Wrangling according to dictionary.com means to argue or dispute, especially in a noisy or angry manner. Sounds like a person I have encountered recently.

Jealousy

zelos: eagerness, zeal, rivalry

Original Word: ζῆλος, ου, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine; Noun, Neuter

Transliteration: zelos

Phonetic Spelling: (dzay'-los)

Short Definition: eagerness, zeal, rivalry

Definition: (a) eagerness, zeal, enthusiasm, (b) jealousy, rivalry.

Used seventeen times translated  zeal (6x), envying (5x), indignation (2x), envy (1x), fervent mind (1x), jealousy (1x), emulation (1x).

Wrath

thumos: passion

Original Word: θυμός, οῦ, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: thumos

Phonetic Spelling: (thoo-mos')

Short Definition: an outburst of passion, wrath

Definition: an outburst of passion, wrath.

It is used eighteen times translated wrath (15x), fierceness (2x), indignation (1x)

Strife

eritheia: rivalry, hence ambition

Original Word: ἐριθεία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: eritheia

Phonetic Spelling: (er-ith-i'-ah)

Short Definition: ambition, rivalry

Definition: (the seeking of followers and adherents by means of gifts, the seeking of followers, hence) ambition, rivalry, self-seeking; a feud, faction.

From the commentary for the REV: commentary

The Greek is eritheia (#2052 ἐριθεία).  In Aristotle it “denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means” (BDAG).  It contains tones of selfish ambition, strife, rivalry, etc.  Those who attempt to get ahead unfairly, and build rivalries, show this.  For a more complete understanding, see commentary on Romans 2:8; “selfish ambition”

2:8. “selfishly ambitious.” The Greek is eritheia (#2052 ἐριθεία).  Spicq (Theological Lexicon) says, “…eritheia is used seven times in NT, including twice in the sin lists (2 Cor. 12:20, Gal. 5:20), along with eris [strife], which indicates that the former does not have the same meaning as the latter and is not derived from it. …it was formed from eritheuomai, “work for hire.”  The erithos is a day laborer; the term is used especially for weavers and spinners.  As a result, the term eritheia (paid work) originally had a positive sense, but it came to mean that which is done solely for interested motives (“What’s in it for me?”).  Hence the meaning: contrive to gain a position…not in order to serve the state, but to gain honor and wealth.  From that developed two other meanings: 1) dispute or intrigue to gain advantages; or 2) personal ambition, the exclusive pursuit of one’s own interest.  These connotations of intrigue, disputations, and chicanery appear in all the NT texts.”  Aristotle used the word of those who seek political office by unfair means, and Philo wrote, “The only stable government is one in which there is no strife and no intrigue [eritheia]” (Spicq, Vol.  II, p. 70). “The idea is “base self-seeking,” the “baseness” that cannot shift its gaze to higher things” (TDNT).  It is a complex word that takes on different meanings in different contexts, so attention to the context is important.  Meanings include selfishness, selfish ambition, rivalry, base self-seeking, and the use of dishonest means to get personal gain (particularly in political circles).

Seditions

dichostasia: standing apart, dissension

Original Word: διχοστασία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: dichostasia

Phonetic Spelling: (dee-khos-tas-ee'-ah)

Short Definition: division, dissension

Definition: division, dissension, standing apart.

This word is used three times both the other usages are translated divisions that would be a good way to translate this word.

Heresies

hairesis: choice, opinion

Original Word: αἵρεσις, εως, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: hairesis

Phonetic Spelling: (hah'-ee-res-is)

Short Definition: a self-chosen opinion, a sect

Definition: a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention.

Envyings

phthonos: envy

Original Word: φθόνος, ου, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: phthonos

Phonetic Spelling: (fthon'-os)

Short Definition: envy, a grudge

Definition: envy, a grudge, spite.

This word is used 9 times and is always translated envy each time one of the verses is Mark 15:10 where it says  “For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.” this was the motivation for killing Jesus.

Murders

Like the word adultery is not in all the texts also it does work in the context so there is no absolute here.

Drunkenness

methé: drunkenness

Original Word: μέθη, ης, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: methé

Phonetic Spelling: (meth'-ay)

Short Definition: drunkenness

Definition: deep drinking, drunkenness.

This word is used three times each time translated drunkenness,  an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication:—drunkenness.

Revellings

kómos: a village festival, revel

Original Word: κῶμος, ου, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: kómos

Phonetic Spelling: (ko'-mos)

Short Definition: a feasting, revealing

Definition: a feasting, revealing, carousal.

From word study helps from bible hub:

2970 kṓmos

(originally, village-merrymaking that took place at the gathering of the grapes, Souter) – a riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality; hence, revelings (debauched "partying").

[2970 (kṓmos) had the original meaning, " 'a carousal,' such as a party of revelers parading the streets, or revels held in religious ceremonies, wild, furious, and ecstatic" (K. Wuest, Word Studies, Vol 2, Pastoral Epistles, 1 Peter, 112).]

The end of verse 21 reads “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” I don’t believe it is talking about eternal life but rather rewards. If you live by works of the flesh you will not receive rewards that are available to those who walk by the spirit.

The word for inherit is the Greek word kléronomeó.

kléronomeó: to inherit

Original Word: κληρονομέω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: kléronomeó

Phonetic Spelling: (klay-ron-om-eh'-o)

Short Definition: I inherit, obtain

Definition: I inherit, obtain (possess) by inheritance, acquire.

For one to inherit you must already be a family member.

The Greek for saved is the word sōzō

to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction

one (from injury or peril)

to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health

to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue

to save in the technical biblical sense

negatively

to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment

to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance

Here you have two very different words with two different meanings.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Fruits of the spirit

Love	Joy	Peace
Longsuffering	Gentleness	Goodness
Faith	Meekness	Temperance

LOVE

agapé: love, goodwill

Original Word: ἀγάπη, ης, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: agapé

Phonetic Spelling: (ag-ah'-pay)

Short Definition: love

Definition: love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts.

What can anyone say that hasn’t been said about agape? The one thing I am sure of is that God’s love is not an emotional response. All you have to do is look at how people treated the father and you know it cannot be an emotional response. There are those who hate God and yet they are allowed this choice they are not dealt with at once. God affords these people the chance for redemption for their whole life.

JOY

chara: joy, delight

Original Word: χαρά, ᾶς, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: chara

Phonetic Spelling: (khar-ah')

Short Definition: joy, gladness

Definition: joy, gladness, a source of joy.

I believe it is possible to have joy even if you are not happy. Joy is an effervescence that comes from within where happiness is conditional based on your circumstances. You can tell this by the Greek word used chara is always spiritual in nature.

Peace

eiréné: one, peace, quietness, rest.

Original Word: εἰρήνη, ης, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: eiréné

Phonetic Spelling: (i-ray'-nay)

Short Definition: peace, peace of mind

Definition: peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual.

It is an inner quietness born of strength, uneffected by external conditions. It is closely related to the Hebrew word shalom A well wishing to another.

Longsuffering

makrothumia: patience, long-suffering

Original Word: μακροθυμία, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: makrothumia

Phonetic Spelling: (mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah)

Short Definition: patience, forbearance

Definition: patience, forbearance, longsuffering.

Technically this word means to hold back anger for a long time or slow to anger. This a quality you see attributed to God throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. It won’t last forever as is evident by the flood. There will come a day of reconing but on God’s schedule not ours.

Gentelness

chréstotés: goodness, excellence, uprightness

Original Word: χρηστότης, τητος, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: chréstotés

Phonetic Spelling: (khray-stot'-ace)

Short Definition: goodness, benignity, kindness

Definition: goodness, uprightness, kindness, gentleness.

It means to be willing and ready to do good for people. If you see someone who is in need you want to help them.  It is a virtue that penetrates your whole being. It does not however mean your a wimp Jesus Christ was the most gentel person who ever liveed yet he drove the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifice that were low quality from the temple. See longsuffering.

Goodness

agathosune: goodness

Original Word: ἀγαθωσύνη, ης, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: agathosune

Phonetic Spelling: (ag-ath-o-soo'-nay)

Short Definition: goodness

Definition: intrinsic goodness, especially as a personal quality, with stress on the kindly (rather than the righteous) side of goodness.

This word means to have a moral excellence. It means you are honorable you can be trusted. Goodness is not self-absorbed or comfort-oriented.  Many of the tasks will not be easy of comfortable. Think of Ananias when he was told to go heal Saul who would become the man to recieve the greatest revelation ever revealed but up to that point was murdering members of the body of Christ.

Faith

pistis: faith, faithfulness

Original Word: πίστις, εως, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: pistis

Phonetic Spelling: (pis'-tis)

Short Definition: faith, belief, trust

Definition: faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

Pistis can be translated either faith or faithfullness here faithfullness is the better of the two. Faith means to trust or have confidence in. Faithfullness means continued faith or perseverance.

Meekness

prautés: gentleness

Original Word: πρᾳΰτης, τητος, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: prautés

Phonetic Spelling: (prah-oo'-tace)

Short Definition: mildness, gentleness

Definition: mildness, gentleness.

This means you have a quality of humility that you understand that you are limited and that there is something bigger and more unlimited than you and you will go with what that

Temperance

egkrateia: mastery, self-control

Original Word: ἐγκράτεια, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: egkrateia

Phonetic Spelling: (eng-krat'-i-ah)

Short Definition: self-mastery, self-control

Definition: self-mastery, self-restraint, self-control, continence.

You are in control of yourself. We are in control of what we are doing we have mastered our desires  especially his sensual appetites. This is all free will. You are under control of nothing other than what you choose to do based on the word you know.