And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

GALATIANS 5:24KJV
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Galatians 5:24 (KJV)

What does Galatians 5:24 mean?

Galatians 5:24 says that those who belong to Christ have put an end to the control of their old, selfish desires and passions, as if those desires were nailed to a cross. This verse describes a decisive break from living according to personal cravings and urges.

Paul, writing to the believers in the region of Galatia, is explaining what it looks like to truly follow Jesus. In the context of this letter, he is contrasting the way of the Spirit with the way of the flesh, showing that belonging to Christ involves a real change in how a person relates to their old habits and desires.

The Greek behind Galatians 5:24

  • "Crucified" (ἐσταύρωσαν, estaurōsan): This word means to put to death by nailing to a cross, a strong image of ending something completely. Paul uses it to show that the old way of life is not just set aside but decisively ended.
  • "Flesh" (σάρκα, sarka): In Paul’s letters, this word often refers not just to the physical body but to the whole set of human desires and tendencies that pull people away from God. Here, it means the self-centered part of a person.
  • "Affections" (πάθεσιν, pathesin) and "lusts" (ἐπιθυμίαις, epithymiais): These words point to both strong feelings and desires, whether emotional or physical, that can control a person. Paul groups them together to show that all kinds of inner drives are included.

Why Galatians 5:24 matters

  • Galatians 5:24 clarifies that following Christ is not just about believing certain things but involves a real, practical break from old patterns of living.
  • The verse helps clear up the idea that Christian life is only about outward behavior; Paul is talking about a deep, inner change in what drives a person.
  • This verse connects directly to the wider passage about the "fruit of the Spirit," showing that the new way of life is possible because the old way has been decisively dealt with.

Where else these words appear

“affections” Greek G3804 · used in 16 verses

  • Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
  • Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
  • Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

“lusts” Greek G1939 · used in 37 verses

  • Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
  • Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
  • 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

“crucified” Greek G4717 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • Mark 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
  • John 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

“with” Greek G4862 · used in 121 verses

  • Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
  • Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
  • Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.