Note 15 at Gal. 5:21: Having listed all these "works of the flesh" (v.19), Paul points out that people who practice these things will not enter the Kingdom of God. These are characteristics of people who are unsaved. However, Christians can commit these acts also. Does this mean that any Christian who is guilty of something listed here has lost his salvation? Definitely not!

The phrase "shall not inherit the Kingdom of God" may be rendered in some languages as "will not enjoy having God rule over them," or "will never have the joy of God ruling them" (UBS Handbook, p.139). It may also be that, "Paul is dealing with that which is habitual practice as over against that which a believer simply falls into on an occasional basis" (Manuscript #126, p. 27, by Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum). Compare this verse with note 6 at 1 Corinthians 6:11, page 886.