Yes, there is some order to Paul’s “list,” those nefarious works of the flesh. Even though one normally thinks of the activities of the world/flesh/devil to be rather chaotic! However, I suspect Paul’s mind (what a masterpiece it was) could analyze and categorize just about anything! Plus we know this, God the Holy Spirit (the Real Author of Galatians) does everything “decently and in order!” A Trait we are to emulate! “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Paul’s advice (command) to the Corinthian Church, in 1st Corinthians 14:40.
Anyway, this 17 “sins-to-avoid” list began with 4 activities (all forbidden to the true Christian) that pertain to the body, to one’s sensual desires. Desires which the Holy Spirit curbs, controls and redirects! (“Husbands, love your wives!” One man, one woman, one lifetime, Ephesians 5:25, repeated in Colossians 3:19.)
But now today we come to the fifth anomaly (in the Holy Spirit’s Eyes) on the agenda. The sin of “idolatry.” I will capitalize it, to show its position in the Text …
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, IDOLATRY, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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.” Galatians 5:19-21, and yes, looks like we will be here for a few more days!
In Greek the word is “eidololatria,” appearing quite similar to its definition, “idolatry.” To Paul an “eidolon” was an idol, a “false god” made of wood or stone or something, man-made that is!
Then the verb “latreia” is attached (to “eidololatria”), as a suffix. And this word means “to serve someone (here to serve something) for pay, for hire!”
Doing obeisance to an “idol,” believing he or she will “pay” you handsomely for your labor! This is idolatry’s literal (grammatical) definition, folks!
It’s the age-old devilish idea that if one’s god (in our case God) does not reward generously enough … you “ditch” him or her and find a better “provider!”
That’s exactly what the devil believed (or at least said) about Old Testament Job (what a godly man) long ago! “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?” Job 1:9, but there’s more to Satan’s logic. That Liar is still talking, to God in fact: “But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Job 1:11, “Take away his many blessings … see how he quickly will forsake you!”
Wow!
God Himself was exasperated at the backslidden priests of Malachi’s time, again long ago. They no longer would do their jobs, conduct worship in Israel … without pay! “Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? Neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 1:10, doing nothing for God “free!”
Israel, when far away from God, actually thought (being so deluded by the Devil) that the “Baal” worship of their heathen neighbors (“Baal” being the god of weather, of the crops, of abundant harvests) was the only assured way of farming with guaranteed results! So the Jews “joined” the idolaters!
Imagine how this attitude “offended, hurt, (even) angered” Almighty God!
The rank sinners who worship these idols may have been (knowingly or unknowingly) associating with a “demon,” an evil spirit who stood behind that idol, who was represented by that silly chunk of wood or metal or stone!
The flesh loves that stuff, that “magic,” that depraved line of thought. The flesh loves man-defined “reward” way too much!
But a Holy Spirit filled Christian will serve God … even in the bad times! Regardless of the “pay-scale!” By the way, ultimately the Christian’s true rewards are “out-of-this-world!”
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell