Galatians 5:19-26, Works of the Flesh Versus Fruit of the Spirit

Jean-Michel Basquiat (born 1960, died 1988), an American artist who focused on dichotomies in his painting, particularly in Flesh and Spirit, made up of two horizontal panels hinged to create four quadrants. Dolores Newmann purchased his painting for $15,000 shortly after its completion. It remained in the Neumann Family Collection until auctioned in 2018 despite Hubert Neumann’s suit to block the sale. It sold for $30.7 million. Afterwards, Belinda Neumann-Donnelly, daughter of Dolores and Hubert Neumann, sued her father claiming his suit to block the sale diminished what it could have sold for. This painting, which was highlighting the dichotomy between flesh and spirit, seemed to stir up a lot more flesh than spirit. Ah, those pesky works of the flesh.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, uncleanness, sensuality, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostility, discord, jealousy, sinful passions, selfish ambition, dissensions, party factions, 21 envy, murder, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. These are the things I told you and forewarned you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul’s choice of words is critical. What comes from the flesh are “works.” What comes from the Spirit is “fruit.” “The change of terms to ‘fruit’ evokes a different image: from one of human responsibility to one of divine enablement” (NIV Life Application Commentary). Even a cursory glance at Paul’s list of the works of the flesh (our sinfully inclined souls), shows that selfishness is a huge component of fleshliness, and selfishness that results in harm toward others. It is sexuality that uses others, ambition that stomps over others, desires that treat others as property, hatred that extinguishes others, and so on.

Paul asserts that he has taught the Galatians that the habitual practice of works of the flesh is the characteristic of those who are not saved and will not inherit the kingdom. True believers, who follow the Spirit, would not be characterized by the works of the flesh, but rather by the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self control. Against these things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. (Galatians 5:19-26)

In a sense, the first fruit Paul mentions could really be a summary of the rest of the fruit he mentions. It is loving others that brings joy and peace, it is love for others that makes us patient and willing to wait for them to grow, it is love that fuels kindness, gentleness and goodness. Love even moves us to control ourselves.

The truth for Paul is that true believers were crucified with Christ, nevertheless they live (Galatians 2:20), and therefore, in being so “spiritually” co-crucified with Jesus, our old selves were slain, our commitment to the flesh defeated, and the Spirit’s work in us the basis for our new resurrection lives. We are obligated, therefore, to, as the New International Version says, “keep in step with the Spirit.” We submit to Him and are empowered by Him to live in love.

This should move the Galatians to put away their conceit that leads them to provoke and envy one another. Slavery to the Law will not do that.