Galatians 5:21

Galatians 5:21

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.

a. NLT: envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

b. NIV: and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

c. YLT: envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like, of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that those doing such things the reign of God shall not inherit.

d. Amplified Bible: envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

e. Worrell Translation: envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, as I also said before, that those practicing such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1. “Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like…”

a. envyings [5355 * phthonos] [Strong: probably akin to the base of 5351; ill-will (as detraction), i.e. jealousy (spite):--envy.]

b. murders [5408 * phonos] [Strong: from an obsolete primary pheno (to slay); murder:--murder, + be slain with, slaughter.]

1). Matthew 5:21, 22

c. drunkenness [3178 * methe] [Strong: apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, i.e. (by implication) intoxication:--drunkenness.]

d. revellings [2970 * komos] [Strong: from 2749; a carousal (as if letting loose):--revelling, rioting.]

e. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. such [5125 * toutois] [Strong: dative case plural masculine or neuter of 3778; to (for, in, with or by) these (persons or things):--such, them, there(-in, -with), these, this, those.]

g. like [3664 * homoios] [Strong: from the base of 3674; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.]

2. “…of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past…”

a. of the which [3739 * hos, iincluding feminine he, and neuter ho] [Strong: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. I tell…before [4302 * prolego] [Strong: from 4253 and 3004; to say beforehand, i.e. predict, forewarn:--foretell, tell before.]

c. you [5213 * humin] [Strong: irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

d. as [2531 * kathos] [Strong: from 2596 and 5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.]

e. I have…told you in time past [4277 * proepo] [Strong: from 4253 and 2036; to say already, to predict:--forewarn, say (speak, tell) before.]

f. also [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

3. “…that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

a. that [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. they which do [4238 * prasso] [Strong: a primary verb; to "practise", i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from 4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute, accomplish, etc.; specially, to collect (dues), fare (personally):--commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.]

c. such things [5108 * toioutos] [Strong: (including the other inflections); from 5104 and 3778; truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality):--like, such (an one).]

d. shall…inherit [2816 * kleronomeo] [Strong: from 2818; to be an heir to (literally or figuratively):--be heir, (obtain by) inherit(-ance).]

e. not [3756 * ou,  also (before a vowel) ouk, and (before an aspirate) ouch] [Strong: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

f. the kingdom [932 * basileia] [Strong: from 935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.]

g. God [2316 * theos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). This warning concerning not inheriting the kingdom of God is found in three other places in the NT. In one of those instances it is clearly referring to going to heaven, the obvious reference to the change that happens at the rapture, the last trump.

a). 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

2). Two other instances of the phrase not inheriting the kingdom of heaven are found in the following passage also mean going to heaven but it means something else as well.

a). 1 Corinthians 6:9-11  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,

6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

3). The following passage I believe makes reference to a contrast of the inheritance in Christ of for believers and the wrath of God upon children of disobedience.

b). Ephesians 5:3-7 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5:5 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.

5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

b). It is our choice whether we partake of our inheritance through faithful obedience or partakers of the wrath through disobedience.

4). On the day he was converted to Christianity Jesus told Paul that his ministry was to go to the Gentiles to teach them to turn from darkness to light from Satan to God and that they should receive not only their forgiveness from their sins but also their inheritance from God.

a). 26:14-18 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

5). Paul taught that the word of grace is able to build us up and give us our inheritance.

a). Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

6). Paul taught that we have an inheritance in Christ, he taught that the down payment of the inheritance was to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. He said that he prayed for God our Father would give to us a spirit of wisdom and revelation that we would see not only the hope of our calling but also our inheritance in Christ.  

a). Ephesians 1:11-18 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

b) But it can all be hindered completely by our disobedience by walking in the flesh because “that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).

7. Jesus taught that the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), will choke out the effect if the word of God in our lives and cause loss of the inheritance.

a). Mark 4:18, 19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

8). Paul taught that God has enabled and qualified us to partake of the inheritance (Colossians 1:12), and that through faithful obedience to the Scripture, we can know we are going to receive our inheritance.

a). Colossians 3:22-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.