Fruits of the Flesh vs Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5)
The fruits of the flesh are seventeen sinful behaviors Paul lists in Galatians 5:19-21, describing life driven by sinful human nature rather than the Holy Spirit. Paul places this list immediately before the fruit of the Spirit to draw a deliberate, direct contrast between the two.
Understanding both lists side by side clarifies what Paul means when he calls believers to walk by the Spirit instead of gratifying the desires of the flesh.
| Aspect | Fruits of the Flesh |
| Bible Reference | Galatians 5:19-21 |
| Total Behaviors Listed | 17 (KJV) |
| Grammar | “Works” (plural) |
| Opposite Concept | Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), singular |
| Paul’s Warning | Will not inherit the kingdom of God |
What Are the Fruits of the Flesh?
The King James Version lists them this way: “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” (Galatians 5:19-21, KJV).
Paul calls these behaviors “manifest,” meaning obvious and undeniable, unlike the more subtle inner workings of the Spirit. He is not introducing a mystery here; he is naming what any honest observer can already see.
The Full List of Works of the Flesh (Meaning of Each)
Several of these KJV terms use unfamiliar, older English. Here is what each one means in plain modern language.
| KJV Term | Modern Meaning |
| Adultery | Unfaithfulness within marriage |
| Fornication | Sexual immorality in general |
| Uncleanness | Moral impurity in thought or action |
| Lasciviousness | A shameless, unrestrained attitude toward morality |
| Idolatry | Worshiping anything in place of God |
| Witchcraft | Sorcery or occult practices |
| Hatred | Deep hostility toward others |
| Variance | Ongoing quarreling or conflict |
| Emulations | Jealous rivalry or envy of status |
| Wrath | Uncontrolled outbursts of anger |
| Strife | Selfish, competitive conflict |
| Seditions | Actions that divide a community |
| Heresies | Divisive, factional teaching |
| Envyings | Resentment over what others have |
| Murders | Taking another person’s life |
| Drunkenness | Loss of control through alcohol |
| Revellings | Wild, excessive parties or celebrations |
The 4 Categories of the Works of the Flesh
Older commentaries group these seventeen behaviors into four categories, which makes the list far easier to remember than reading it as one long chain of unrelated words.
| Category | Behaviors Included |
| Sensual Sins | Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness |
| Religious Sins | Idolatry, witchcraft |
| Relational Sins | Hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders |
| Sins of Excess | Drunkenness, revellings |
- Key Takeaway: Nine of the seventeen behaviors, the largest category by far, involve damaging relationships with other people, not just private moral failure.
Sensual Sins: Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness
This first category deals with sexual sin, the behaviors Paul’s original readers in Galatia would have encountered constantly in Greco-Roman culture. These four terms move from specific acts toward a broader inner disposition, ending with lasciviousness, a shameless attitude that no longer even tries to hide wrongdoing.
Religious Sins: Idolatry, Witchcraft
This shortest category addresses misplaced worship. Idolatry means giving ultimate devotion to anything other than God, while witchcraft, from the Greek word pharmakeia, originally described the use of drugs or potions tied to occult ritual and manipulation.
Relational Sins: Hatred Through Murders
This is by far the longest category, and Paul’s original audience would have recognized it immediately, since a divided, quarreling church was the exact problem he was addressing throughout the letter. These nine behaviors trace a clear progression, from private resentment like hatred and envy, through public conflict like strife and factions, to its most extreme outcome in murder.
Sins of Excess: Drunkenness, Revellings
The final category addresses loss of self-control through indulgence. Revellings describes wild, unrestrained parties often associated with pagan religious festivals in the ancient world, tying this category back to the cultural context Paul’s readers knew firsthand.
Fruits of the Flesh vs Fruits of the Spirit
Paul places these two lists back to back for a reason. The works of the flesh fracture relationships and community, while the fruit of the Spirit builds and restores them.
| Fruits of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) | Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) |
| Divides and destroys relationships | Builds and restores relationships |
| Listed as the plural “works” | Listed as singular “fruit” |
| Produced by sinful human nature | Produced by the Holy Spirit |
| Leads away from God’s kingdom | Carries no condemnation under the law |
| Visible and obvious immediately | Grows gradually over time |
For the exact wording of both passages together in the King James Version, see the full fruits of the Spirit Bible verses page.
Why Is “Works” Plural but “Fruit” Is Singular?
This grammar choice is deliberate, not accidental. Paul lists the sinful behaviors as separate, disconnected “works” because they often contradict each other and stem from many different motives.
The fruit of the Spirit, by contrast, is described as one singular fruit with nine qualities, because Paul presents it as a single, unified character rather than nine unrelated achievements a person picks and chooses between.
What Happens to Those Who Practice the Works of the Flesh?
Paul warns plainly that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21, KJV). The Greek word behind “do” implies an ongoing, habitual lifestyle, not a single failure or momentary sin.
This distinction matters. Paul is describing a life defined by these patterns, not condemning a believer who stumbles once and repents, which fits the broader message of grace running through the rest of the letter.
How to Move from the Flesh to the Spirit?
Galatians 5:16 gives the practical instruction behind this entire passage: walk by the Spirit, and the desires of the flesh will not control you. A few consistent practices support that walk.
- Identify your patterns: Notice which specific works of the flesh tend to resurface most often personally.
- Stay close to Scripture and prayer: Paul ties walking by the Spirit directly to ongoing dependence on God.
- Choose an accountable community: Many works of the flesh are relational, so healthy relationships help guard against them.
- Expect gradual change: Fruit grows slowly, so setbacks do not erase genuine spiritual progress.
FAQs
What are the fruits of the flesh in the Bible?
The fruits of the flesh are seventeen sinful behaviors listed in Galatians 5:19-21, including adultery, hatred, envy, and drunkenness. Paul describes them as the obvious result of a life led by sinful human nature rather than the Holy Spirit.
What is the difference between fruits of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit?
Fruits of the flesh describe destructive behaviors that divide people, while fruits of the Spirit describe godly character that builds relationships. Paul lists the flesh as plural “works” and the Spirit as one singular “fruit.”
How many fruits of the flesh are there?
The King James Version lists seventeen distinct works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, though Paul adds “and such like” at the end, suggesting the list is representative rather than exhaustive.
What does it mean that those who practice the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God?
This warning refers to an ongoing, habitual lifestyle defined by these behaviors, not a single sin or momentary failure. Paul is describing a pattern of life, consistent with the letter’s broader message about grace and repentance.
Are the fruits of the flesh and the seven deadly sins the same?
No, they are different lists from different sources. The fruits of the flesh come directly from Galatians 5:19-21, while the seven deadly sins are a later theological classification developed by early church tradition, not found as a single list in Scripture.
Why does Paul list the works of the flesh before the fruit of the Spirit?
Paul places the two lists back to back to draw a clear, deliberate contrast, showing believers exactly what a Spirit-led life replaces. Naming the problem first makes the solution that follows easier to recognize.
