Untitled Sermon (14)

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament 4399. מְלָאכָה melāʾḵāh

4399. מְלָאכָה mlāʾḵāh: A feminine singular noun meaning work, occupation, business, something made, property, workmanship. This word is used for God’s creative work (Gen. 2:2, 3); as well as for human labor (Ex. 20:9, 10); skilled craftsmanship (Lev. 13:48); and agricultural tasks (1 Chr. 27:26). It is used for livestock (Gen. 33:14); property (Ex. 22:8[7]); public and religious business. For instance, Ezra 10:13 employs the term in reference to the divorce of foreign wives.

Genesis 2:2–3 NKJV

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Galatians 5:19–23 NKJV

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:19–21 NKJV

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:9 NKJV

(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

In Genesis 2.2-3, we have:

4399. מְלָאכָה‎ melāʾḵāh: A feminine singular noun meaning work, occupation, business, something made, property, workmanship. This word is used for God’s creative work (Gen. 2:2, 3); as well as for human labor (Ex. 20:9, 10); skilled craftsmanship (Lev. 13:48); and agricultural tasks (1 Chr. 27:26). It is used for livestock (Gen. 33:14); property (Ex. 22:8[7]); public and religious business. For instance, Ezra 10:13 employs the term in reference to the divorce of foreign wives.

Which by coincidence is very much like the word, Messenger (Malak H4397)

from your sermon entitled God’s Translators a few weeks ago.

Galatians 5:19-23 contrast the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the spirit

Posted on January 18, 2023 — No Comments ↓

Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:19-23 WEB)

In this passage, Paul lists a variety of behaviors that are considered “works of the flesh.” These include acts of sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies. These behaviors are in contrast to the “fruit of the Spirit,” which are listed in the following verse (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Greek word for “flesh” in this passage is “sarx,” which can also be translated as “sinful nature” or “sinful desires.” The works of the flesh, therefore, are actions and behaviors that are motivated by our sinful nature, rather than by the Spirit of God.

On the other hand, in Galatians 5:22-23, it states “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

The “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22 is a singular noun in Greek (καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος) and is derived from the Greek word “karpos” which refers to the natural result or outcome of something such as “fruit, produce, offspring.” This phrase is referring to the character traits that are produced in the believer who is guided by the Holy Spirit.

In contrast, the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21 is a plural noun in Greek (ἔργα τῆς σαρκός) and is derived from the Greek word “ergon” which means “work, deed, action.” This phrase is referring to the sinful actions and attitudes that are characteristic of those who are not guided by the Spirit of God within them.

When comparing and contrasting the “fruit of the Spirit” listed in Galatians 5:22 with the antonyms in “works of the flesh” listed in Galatians 5:19-21, it’s important to note the differences in the Greek definitions of the words used for the fruit and works.

·      “Love” (agape) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to a selfless, unconditional love, while the antonym to love in the works of the flesh is “enmity” (echthra) which refers to hostility, hatred, or ill-will.

·      “Joy” (chara) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to a deep inner happiness, while the antonym to joy in the works of the flesh is “jealousy” (zelos) which refers to envy or resentment towards others.

·      “Peace” (eirene) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to a state of tranquility and harmony, while the antonym to peace in the works of the flesh is “strife” (eris) which refers to conflict or discord.

·      “Patience” (makrothymia) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to the ability to endure suffering or delay without becoming angry or upset, while the antonym to patience in the works of the flesh is “fits of anger” (thumos) which refers to sudden, intense bursts of anger.

·      “Kindness” (chrestotes) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to being useful, helpful, or kind to others, while the antonym to kindness in the works of the flesh is “impurity” (akatharsia) which refers to impure thoughts, words, or actions.

·      “Goodness” (agathosune) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to moral excellence and integrity, while the antonym to goodness in the works of the flesh is “sensuality” (aselgeia) which refers to a lifestyle of excessive indulgence in physical pleasure.

·      “Faithfulness” (pistis) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to loyalty, trustworthiness and the ability to keep one’s promises, while the antonym to faithfulness in the works of the flesh is “idolatry” (eidololatria) which refers to the worship of idols or false gods.

·      “Gentleness” (prautes) in the fruit of the Spirit refers to meekness, humility and the ability to be easily entreated, while the antonym to gentleness in the works of the flesh is “sorcery” (pharmakeia) which refers to the use of drugs or magic to control or manipulate others.

Note: There are 15 listed works of the sarx. Only 9 listed fruits of the Spirit.

Just noticed that the HS chose two ideas to express the conflict between the two.

Works are. Fruit is. Fruit is a singular noun and the verb following is also singular. (B) For effect, result (Rom. 15:28; Gal. 5:22, “the fruit of the Spirit”; Eph. 5:9; Heb. 12:11; James 3:17; Sept .: Jer. 17:10; Mic. 7:13).1Sept Sept (Septuagint)

1 Zodhiates, S. (2000) The complete word study dictionary: New Testament. electronic ed. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.