“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, STRIFE …” Galatians 5:19-20, with today’s “key word” capitalized.

Let’s talk about “strife,” which is not to be practiced by us Christians! It is a product, an effort, of the flesh, apart from the Holy Spirit of God.

Remember that “variance,” a deviancy we’ve already studied here in Paul’s list, is the little Greek noun “eris!” It means “contention, debate,” and the like. Sounds a lot like “strife” to me! 

But “eritheia” in Greek (the actual word for “strife”) is more picturesque. My laptop software (no commentaries yet consulted) immediately tells me the word means “campaigning for office!”  A spirit of electioneering! Furthermore, “a desire to put one’s self-interest forward!”

It is “strife” for sure, but only because of someone’s great big EGO. Remember Proverbs 13:10, “Only by PRIDE cometh CONTENTION: but with the well advised is wisdom.”

Wow!

Strife … “selfish ambitions” says another scholar. “Base self-seeking” says another.

I am told “eritheia” comes from “erithos,” the Greek word for “hireling!” Doing what one does “for reward, money, gain!” (One preacher I studied says: “There is not a very big difference between working for pay and working ONLY for pay!)

Sounds bad!

This (“strife”) then is not necessarily the sin of always putting everyone down, sheer hatred … but rather of always exalting oneself! Sheer pride!

But now, for a second, how does Paul use the word elsewhere in the Bible?

I think Philippians 2:3 is the best teaching illustration. “Let nothing be done through STRIFE (“eritheia”) or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

The solution to “eritheia?” Ah, “lowliness of mind!” Esteeming one’s brothers and sisters in Christ “better” than oneself!

Wow!

Yes, we have clearly shifted from sexual sins to social sins, that’s for sure! And this sort of contentious “campaigning” occurs way too often in our Churches!

One more “solution” verse … “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Romans 12:10, where “preferring” actually means “letting someone else go first!”

Lord, help us to obey!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

It is spelled “thumos,” the Galatians 5:21 noun for “wrath.” However, another Greek word is also used in the New Testament for “wrath,” that being “orge.”

So one tends to ask, “Why ‘thumos’ here?”

There is a difference between the two words, according to the wordsmiths. “Thumos” is a sudden burst of anger! A “fit of rage.” An “ill temper.” A “fit” of passion. Whereas “orge” is rage that is of longer duration, much longer usually!

“Thumos” comes and goes.

“Orge” often melds into revenge and holding grudges.

So today at least, se concentrate on “thumos.” Since it is the specific word translated “wrath” in Galatians 5:21, in that “works of the flesh” list we’ve been studying.

I find “thumos” 18 times in the New Testament!

Its first use is in Luke 4:28 where the congregation was “filled with wrath (thumos)” when Jesus preached his first recorded Sermon! They didn’t like what He said!

It second use in located in Acts 19:28 when a crowd of Ephesians also were “filled with wrath (thumos)” at the preaching of Paul the Apostle!

In Romans 2:8 we are taught that an unsaved man, a lost man, one still operating under the sole command of his flesh … “will not obey the truth, but (will obey) obey unrighteousness, indignation (thumos) and wrath.” 

To us Christians, the Holy Spirit issues this command: “Let all bitterness, and wrath (thumos), and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

Wow!

In summary, “thumos” is not long-held anger. It is rather a “blaze of temper,” that which flares into bitter words (and maybe even deeds) and soon dies, subsides, goes away!

However it is defined, “thumos” is a trait genuine Believers in Jesus will not (long) possess. It will be uprooted from our lives via the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit of God … provided we yield to Him and allow the Fruit of His Being to develop within our hearts.

Amen, so be it, Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Yes, “naturally” our flesh is selfish!

What an understatement!

And Paul emphasizes, here in Galatians 5:20, that one of our lower-natured traits is “emulation.” Except Paul pluralizes the noun in our Text! Many “emulations!”

What are they?

The Greek is “zelos.”

Literally our word (borrowed from that noble tongue) “zeal!”

But here … NOT zeal (fervor, enthusiasm) in doing good, but in doing bad!

Back in Galatians 4:17-18 Paul uses “zelos” three different times! Watch as the Apostle describes those “false teachers” who have infiltrated the Galatians Churches: “They zealously affect (zeloo) you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect (zeloo) them. But it is good to be zealously affected (zeloo) always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.” I have placed in parentheses the verbs at issue, cognates in the “zealos” family. Here “zeal” is used in both a bad sense and a good sense!

Now here is a Greek teacher’s way of expressing what we’ve just read. “These men (the Judaizers) eagerly seek you (zeloo = to entrap you with sweet and flattering words and attention, to win you over to their philosophy), but not honorably (for their purpose is not noble or worthy of consideration). They want to isolate you (from us who oppose them) so that you will seek (zeloo= be zealous after) them. Now it is always pleasant to be eagerly sought after (zeloo) … provided that it is for a good purpose, and not just when I am with you either (fervently seeking after you).” Sounds like Paul is “zealous” (yes even “jealous”) over the spiritual welfare of the Galatians, doesn’t it? Unashamedly so! 

And just how zealously (in a good sense, again) did Paul “long” for the welfare/maturity of these Galatians? “My little children, of whom I TRAVAIL IN BIRTH again until Christ be formed in you,” Galatians 4:19! Birth pangs, agony! 

But “emulations” in our current context, in this list of the “works of the flesh,” is clearly a wrong headed emotion, a sin, a violation  of God’s Will for our lives.

“Zelos” is often variously translated in the following ways, some synonyms: “envies, jealousies, rivalries.” Then when the context is “good,” it’s “zeal, eagerness, fervency, and ardor.”

Here’s a classic definition of “emulation” … scholarly to the core: “an individual’s self-centeredness which strongly resents anything positive another person enjoys, craving that blessing for oneself!” It’s the age old “I-want-what-you’ve-got” syndrome! Something “they” have and “you” do not have! And you are consequently unhappy! Again I say, “jealous.”

Wow!

I do not feel I’ve done a very good job on this word today, “zelos,” explaining it. But at least this much is clear … “emulation” is a feeling, an emotion, a shortcoming, a sin we Believers in Jesus do not want in our lives! We must expel any such yearnings.

And this can only be done through what one old writer calls …“the expulsive Power of God the Holy Spirit!” 

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

My quoting a Greek scholar in the Lesson today is NOT an endorsement of any other Bible! Or of everything Greek scholars may say regarding New Testament words. I merely use that example as a way of illuminating a difficult concept.

 

I don’t think a single “newer” translation of the Bible uses the same word, “variance,” as does the King James Version. Not in Galatians 5:20, or anywhere else that I can find.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, VARIANCE, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies” … and the list goes on!

The Greek noun here translated “variance” is “eris.” In fact, this is the ONLY TIME the King James translators employ this specific meaning for “eris.” Four times they use “strife.” Twice they let it mean “debate.” And two more times “contention!” (I believe they did not want the Bible to seem too repetitious.)

So then, what is “variance?” 

By  the way, the synonyms used above pretty well define “eris,” don’t they?

Thus, the King James Bible just became a pretty good commentary on the King James Bible! And the newer translations do NOT always do that, either!

“Eris” means “wrangling,” among other things. “Fussing and fighting,” we might say.

“A contentious temper,” says one commentary I consulted. (This fits well with a sin Paul thought the Galatians might still be practicing, based on Galatians 5:15. “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”)

Wow!

Astoundingly, according to Philippians 1:15, also written by Paul … “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife (“eris”).” Probably still “sound” doctrine and “wholesome” preaching (or else Paul would have sternly condemned it on the spot) … but still with bad attitudes! 

Some ancient Greek philosophers actually taught that “eris” (“variance”) was a goddess, but a wicked one! A “demon,” they  might even admit! But then (using their twisted, darkened minds) they reasoned that “eris” was necessary, or “peace” would no longer be held in such high esteem!

How’s that for “foolishness?”

Yes, “variance” existed wholesale in the (secular) Greek/Roman world of Paul’s day. It just was a fact of life. Everyone accepted that grim reality. Just “human nature,” no doubt … impossible to change.

But, shame on us, Paul uses the noun a majority of times when describing “Church life!” Particularly of the Corinthians, in the New Testament!

See both 1 Corinthians 1:11 and 3:3 and then look at 2 Corinthians 12:20.

1 Corinthians 1:11 … “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are CONTENTIONS (“eris”) among you.”

1 Corinthians 3:3 … “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and STRIFE (“eris”), and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

2 Corinthians 12:20 … “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be DEBATES (“eris”), envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults.” 

Wow!

What’s the solution to this rivalry, dissention, disputing, quarreling? I there is a solution? Can calm peace ever reign in a human situation?

Yes!

The fulness and fruit of God the Holy Spirit, operating freely in the lives of us Christians! He is the Solution!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

In our minds there is a BIG difference between “fornication” and “hatred.” But look! Both sins made this “list,” this “works of the flesh” catalogue.

One is a blatant “sexual” sin, so to speak … the other, merely a “social” sin. Located quite near everyday “strife” in Paul’s compilation, really.

Yet today “hatred” must be considered, in our Lesson.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, HATRED ….” Galatians 5:19-20

The Greek is “echthra,” and is closely related to the noun “enemy.” In the New Testament “echthra” is used only six times, total. And five of those times the King James translators opted for the word “enmity” as its meaning!

This hatred can be either passive or active. If passive, it is a seething “repulsiveness” toward a person. If active, downright “hostility!”

And of course these outward attitudes (then actions) flow from a heart that is filled with anything but love! So taught Jesus: “For out of the HEART proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man.” Matthew 15:19-20

We Christians are never to pursue such a lifestyle. That of being a “hateful” man or woman.

This is a short Lesson!

But what more can I say?

Let’s examine our hearts, looking for any (even slight) vestiges of “hatred.”

Then let’s confess and forsake such … and ask God to so fill us with His Love that these old rotten “resentments” will never return!

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso CONFESSETH and FORSAKETH them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell