Paragraph 5:19–21
In this paragraph, Paul reminded the Galatians that they should not live sinful lives. He gave a list of examples of sinful actions. The list can be divided into several groups: sexual sins, wrong relationships to spiritual powers other than God, wrong relationships between people, and drunken living.
Paul’s list is not intended as a complete list of sins. Paul listed sins that represent the kinds of actions that come from the sinful nature. There are many more such sins.
5:19a
In 5:19, Paul began a new topic. He introduced this new topic with a Greek conjunction that most English versions translate as “now.” In this context, “now” is not a time word.
The Berean Standard Bible has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the New International Version and New Living Translation (2004), also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 5:19a to 5:18b in a way that is natural in your language.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as acts of the flesh refers to the sinful actions/deeds that a person does when he follows/obeys his corrupt human nature.
The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obvious means “are clearly seen.”
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
The wrong things the sinful self does are clear (New Century Version)
-or-
Anyone can see the behaviour that belongs to the unspiritual nature (Revised English Bible)
-or-
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious (God’s Word)
See flesh, Meaning 5 in the Glossary.
5:19b
Paul’s list of sinful actions begins here. Some ways to introduce this list are:
For example:
-or-
They are deeds such as:
-or-
The sinful nature shows itself in
sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery: In Greek, the three words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery all refer to sexual sins. They include sins of thought, sins of actions, and sinful desires.
In some languages, it will be possible to translate these three Greek words with three words or phrases. In other languages, it may be possible to use two terms to translate these three Greek terms.
sexual immorality: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality refers to having sexual relations with someone you are not married to.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
fornication/adultery
-or-
being sexually unfaithful (New Century Version)
-or-
immoral…actions (Good News Translation)
-or-
all kinds of immoral behavior with someone who is not your spouse
impurity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as impurity is more literally “uncleanness.” In the Bible, immoral acts are referred to as “unclean.” This word refers to any shameful or wrong activity in the area of sex.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
indecency
-or-
filthy thoughts (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
filthy…actions (Good News Translation)
-or-
disgusting sexual habits/thoughts
debauchery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as debauchery refers to indulging in wrong sexual desires, or being preoccupied with illicit sexual acts.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
perversion/indecency
-or-
taking part in sexual sins (New Century Version)
-or-
shameful deeds (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
indecent actions (Good News Translation)
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