Galatians 5:21 Commentary and Bible Study

Whereas covetousness focuses on the object of possession, envy is concerned with the person who possesses it. Envy causes hatred to boil up inside us. It arises from not being content with what God has given us. Envy makes comparisons between a perceived rival and ourselves, and judges us more worthy to have something than another. It may be a physical possession or something intangible like reputation or recognition. Envy makes it impossible that we should fulfil Christ’s command to love the other person, for envy desires harm or at least limits the good will that we are prepared to extend to that one. How do we overcome envy? By believing that ‘a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven’ (John 3:27). If we see all that we have as given by the Lord, then if we are discontented our quarrel is with the Lord. But we know that we cannot complain to the Lord who has given us freely far more than we deserve. We rather give thanks for what we have and see ourselves as stewards who must give an account of every gift. ‘Murder’ starts, as Christ teaches, with hatred and is completed by the destruction of those we hate. The murderer takes away the most precious gift of God - life. Human life is distinguished from all other life for man is made in the image of God, and while we have the right to take animal life for food and clothing, human life is unique and none may take human life except in time of war or when the state acts in judicial punishment for murder itself. But how foolish is the murderer for he forces others into the hands of the same enemy he must one day face himself, the king of terrors, death. The last two sins in the list are both sins against self-control. Drunkenness removes restraint and dulls the conscience so that men are able to do what they are normally ashamed to do. Unconverted colleagues invite the Christian to go with them to the pub. He is told that he need not drink alcohol but can have a soft drink. Yes, but what fellowship is there between those who belong to Christ and those who belong to the world? We are friendly towards all and show love and kindness to saved and unsaved alike, but to join them in their temple of pleasure, where they give free reign to their inhibitions is great foolishness. ‘Revellings’ means ‘originally a festive processing in honour of the wine god’, carousing, merrymaking (Friberg). Not surprisingly those who are drunk soon begin to loosen up their behaviour, indeed they intend to do so. Inhibitions are viewed as a nuisance which is most effectively removed by artificial means, leaving the way for the lusts to be expressed without restriction. Conscience, the last remnant of God’s standard in the heart, is resented and therefore suppressed. The Christian sees this as part of his former life and which he is now ashamed of (1 Peter 4:3), for to revel is to pay tribute to another god, the god of worldly pleasure in all its forms.‘And such like’: this is not a comprehensive list, but is enough to remind us of all other forms of sinful behaviour and to show us how active our sinful natures still are. Paul is utterly uncompromising on this – those who do such things can have no inheritance in heaven. As was his habit, he had warned them of this when he first preached the gospel to them. To presume on God’s forgiveness and then to go ahead and commit sin in expectation of recovery is the road to apostasy. Those who live in this way soon find themselves abandoned by the Lord entirely. Why set out on the road when you don’t intend to continue on to your destination? Why taste what you do not intend to swallow? If sin is worth having once, it is worth having twice. But if sin has been put to death, why should we ever touch it again?