Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
General Christian
Education and Religion
Vice Lists in Paul’s Letters: 5 Observations

Vice Lists in Paul’s Letters: 5 Observations

Last updated on: September 24, 2022 at 3:56 pm by B. J. Oropeza

189 Comments

Vice Lists in Paul’s Letters: 5 Observations 2022-09-24T15:56:09-07:00 B. J. Oropeza

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Apostle Paul’s letters contain a number of vice lists. These lists specify vices (sins) that tend to disrupt the Christ community and a person’s relationship with the Lord. Among the most common are vices related to factions, idolatry, sexual immorality, drunkenness, envy, and greed.

In the undisputed letters of Paul the most conspicuous lists appear in Romans 1:29–31; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11; 6:9–10; 10:5–10; 2 Corinthians 12:20–21; and Galatians 5:19–21. In the disputed letters we find such lists in Colossians 3:5, 8; Ephesians 4:25–32; 5:3–5; 1 Timothy 1:3–11; 4:1–3; 6:4–5; and 2 Timothy 2:22–25; 3:1–9.

Vices: Five Observations

There are five observations worth repeating regarding these lists:

These vice lists contain a surplus of “social vices,” which reflect Paul’s animosity toward sins that disrupt the churches.

Such vices included malice, envy, strife, divisions, and so forth. Victor Furnish writes, “Paul’s vice lists, unlike those of the Hellenistic world in general which emphasized ‘personal’ vices, are particularly formed for the life of the community.”[1] The lists, then, reflect a similarity with the Jewish practice of enumerating sins that violate the Torah and which were set in the matrix of establishing order in the holy community (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 28–29; Leviticus 18).[2]

The vice lists are not exhaustive so as to provide a complete catalogue of every conceivable sin Paul condemned.

At the end of his lists in Galatians and Romans, he warns against those who do “things such as these” and “things like these” (Galatians 5:19; Romans 1:32).[3] Hence, the vices Paul lists are intended merely as samplings of sins he would want the Christ followers to avoid. There were obviously many more vices Paul did not bother to mention on these lists.

Vice lists can be contrasted with virtue lists (see 2 Corinthians 6:6–7; Galatians 5:22–23; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:12–13).

The virtue lists would help identify how Christ’s followers were supposed to act in the present age. On the other hand, the vice lists were supposed to reflect the behavior of only those who were not part of God’s community (Romans 1:29–32). The unfortunate truth, however, was that some who claimed to be Christ’s followers also practiced them.

Paul does not appear to have a preconceived list that he inserts in his letters.

No term appears in every list. Furnish observes that based on six vice lists in the “Pauline homologoumena” 42 terms identify 39 distinct vices.[4] At least sometimes the vices seem to be situationally specific. In the Corinthian letters, for example, the vices are entirely related to the type of problems the Corinthians are experiencing. These include, for instance, sexual misconduct (see 1 Cor 5:1–5; 6:12–20), drunkenness (see 1 Cor 11:20–21; cf. 15:32–34), and potential compromise with idolatry through idol foods (1 Cor 10:14–22; cf. 1 Cor 8). This leads to a final and perhaps most important point.

The lists identify specific vices in order to discourage Christ followers from practicing such activities.

In essence, the lists became a channel for communicating boundary markers to Christian audiences. Regardless of whether someone claims to be a Christian or not, those whose lifestyle characterizes these vices will not inherit God’s kingdom. Paul gives this warning not to unbelievers but to those who claimed to be followers of Christ (Gal 5:21; 1 Cor 6:11).

We should especially take to heart this final point today. Those who call themselves Christian ought to avoid such vices knowing the dire consequence of persisting in such practices. Even so, we should recognize that overcoming sin does not happen purely through our own efforts. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that lasting freedom from vice takes place (Rom 8:2–13).

Notes

[1] Victor Paul Furnish, Theology and Ethics in Paul (Nashville/ New York: Abingdon Press, 1968), 84. For further teachings on Paul and vices, see B. J. Oropeza, Paul and Apostasy: Eschatology, Perseverance and Falling Away in the Corinthian Congregation (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2007); and B. J. Oropeza, Jews, Gentiles, and the Opponents of the Paul: The Pauline Letters. Apostasy in the New Testament Communities, vol. 2 (Eugene: Cascade, 2012); B. J. Oropeza, “Situational Immorality? The Relevance of Paul’s ‘Vice Lists’ for the Corinthian Congregation,” ExpT 110.1 (1998) 9-10. These previous studies help inform this post.

[2] Cf. Neil J. McEleney, “The Vice Lists of the Pastoral Epistles.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 36 (1974), 203–19 (217).

[3] Cf. Furnish, 76–77.

[4] Furnish, 76.

Image: arts fine arts portrait emotional depression via pixabay.com

Progressive Christian

Evangelical

Eastern Orthodox

Contemplative

Catholic

Education and Religion

Bible Study

Christian behavior

Paul letter of

Paul the Apostle: Studies

About B. J. Oropeza

B. J. Oropeza is a professor and scholar whose many publications include the subjects of Pauline studies, Corinthian correspondence, apostasy, Romans, and more. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

March 26, 2022

Will There Be a Nuclear War? 5 Problems Related to the End-Times

Next Post

April 14, 2022 Revival and Worship Today: Lessons from the Great Awakening

Recent Comments

189 Comments | Leave a Comment

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "in Christ" 1 Corinthians 1 Enoch 1 John 2:19 1 Peter 1 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 1Peter 2 Corinthians 2 Timothy 400 years of silence A. I. A. M. Hunter Abraham Achilles Tatius Acts 13 Acts 19 Acts 22 Acts 26 Acts 9 addiction adultery Aesop's Fables Affliction afterlife allegiance allusions amanuensis Amen Ananias Ancient Biography Andrew Wilson Andronicus Angels anger Anglicanism anointing aorist tense Apep apocalypse apocalyptic Apocrypha apologetics apostasy Apostle Apostle Paul Aquinas archaeology archangel Ardel Caneday Arminianism armor of God article from journal artificial intelligence Asbury ascension atlas atonement Augustine Augustus authorship Awakening awards baptism Battle of Armageddon beasts behemoth Belial Beliar belief Benediction between Testaments Beverly Roberts Gaventa Bible Bible discrepancies Bible Gateway Bible reading Bible reading plan Bible Study Bible translations Bible version Bible versions biblical inerrancy Biblical Theology blasphemy blindness Boethius boldness Book of Acts Book Review Born Again bravery burial Caesar calling Calvinism canon canon Cassius Dio Catholics Channing Crisler charistmatic Christ Christian behavior Christian origins Christian theology Christians Christology church church fathers Church of England Chuza Cleopas Commandments Commentaries congregation conversion Corinthian letters coronavirus courage Covenant covenant theology covenantal nomism coveting COVID-19 Craig Keener Crescens crocodile Cross crucifixion curse custom Cyprian Daily Bread Dale Allison Damascus Damascus Experience Damascus road David Moffitt Day of Atonement deacon dead Dead Sea Scrolls death Deity of Christ Demas demonology demons determinism Deuteronomy Devil devotion dinosaur Dio Chrysostom divided I Divine Christology divine punishment divorce Do not fear Doxology dragon E. P. Sanders Eastern Orthodox Ebeneazer Urga echoes ekklesia election Elijah the Prophet Elymas embodiment of the gospel embodying the gospel emperor empty tomb Encouragement end times enlightement Ephesians Ephesus Epistles of Paul eschatology eternal life Ethics (Christian) euchlaion Eusebius of Caesarea evangelical evangelism evidence exile extreme unction Ezekiel faith falling away false prophet fate father Father's Day favorite Fear film Final Judgment Flood foreknowledge foreordain forgiveness fornication freewill from Saul to Paul Galatians Gary Cooper Genesis Gentile studies Gentiles geography giants gift gift giving global perspective Glossa Ordinaria God God perception good news gospel gospel 2.0 Gospel of John Gospel of Luke Gospel of Mark Gospel of Matthew Gospels grace gratitude Great Awakening Greco-Roman Greco-Roman world Greek Greek classic literature Greek lexicon Greek Orthodox Greek prepositions greetings guilt Habakkuk hair Halloween head covering head coverings healing heaven Hebrew Hebrews hermeneutics Hesed high Christology Higher Christology highlights holiness holy Holy Bible Holy Scriptures Holy Spirit Homer hospitable hospitality how to read the Bible human effort I Am sayings imperialism in Adam In Christ inspiration intercession Interpretation intertestamental period Intertextuality Interview intimidation Isaiah Israel Israel (land of) James James D. G. Dunn Jason Staples Jerome Jesus Jesus sayings Jesus traditions Jesus: Studies Jewish literature Jewish names Jewish Scripture Jewish studies Jews Joanna Job John John 3:16 John Chrysostom John Hyrcanus John Mark John of Damascus John the Baptist John Wesley Josephus joy Judaism Judgment day Julia Junia Justice justification kerygma King Kingdom kingdom of God Krister Stendahl lament Law lecture hall letter writing Letters of Paul Leucippe et Clitophon Leviathan Leviticus light Logical fallacy looting Lord Lord's Prayer lose salvation Lot Lotan love lovingkindness Lucifer Luke lust Luther LXX maenads Malachi Marcion marginalization marital affair marriage martyrdom Mary Matt Damon Medieval theologians Medieval theology memorization mercy Michael the Archangel miracles Mishnah missiology mission missionary missions monergism monogenes monster monsters Mysterious Ways mythology N. T. Wright name change names narrative Nephilim New Birth new covenant new covenant pneumaism new creation New Perspective on Paul New Testament New Testament use of Old Testament Noah Noah's ark non-Christian oath obedience Odysseus Odyssey oil Old Testament only begotten Origen Outpouring pagan pagans parable paraceratherium Parousia participation in Christ Pastoral Letters patristic theology Paul in prison Paul letter of Paul teaching Paul the Apostle: Studies Paul within Judaism Paul's calling Paul's conversion Paul's death Pauline Theology persecution perseverance perseverance of the saints Persis personal devotion pesher Peter Abelard Philo philosophy Phoebe Pink Floyd pistis Plague plutarch pneuma pneumagism popular culture sayings Porneia Post-New Perspective on Paul praise prayer preaching predestination Prisca Priscilla Prison Epistle Prophecy prophets Psalm Psalms Pseudepigrapha Q Q source quest for the historic Jesus quotations Rabbi Pinhas be Yair Rabbinic literature Rainer Riesner raised from the dead rapture reading missiologically reading plan recipients reciprocity reconciliation Red Herring red letter edition redemption Reformation Regeneration rejoicing reminder renewal repentance restoration resurrection revival righteousness riot Roman Antiquity Roman names romance Romans Romans 12-16 Romans 16 Romans 4:25 Romans 7 Rome Rufus's mother sacrificial system salvation Salvation/Soteriology sanctification Satan Satan's fall Saul the Pharisee SBL Scholars school Scripture Second coming of Christ Second Temple Judaism secretary Septuagint Sergeant York Sergius Paulus Servant in Isaiah sex and sexuality sex ethics sexual immorality sheep sick sin sinful nature single Christians and dating social justice Society of Biblical Literature sons of God soteriology spinosaurus spiritual gifts spiritual renewal spiritual warfare Stephen Wilson struggle Study Bible studying the Bible Suetonius suffering Suffering Servant suggestive commentary Survey synergism Synoptic Gospels Tacitus teacher teaching telos temptation Tertius The Chosen the flesh Theology Thomas Aquinas Thomas Robinson Thomas Schreiner Thorn Thucydides Timothy Titus tongues Top 10 top 12 Torah trust Tryphaena Tryphosa Tyrannus U2 Ugaritic Ukraine Ukrainian Uncategorized unconditional love unforgiving Union with Christ unity/solidarity unpardonable sin Valentine's Day veils vice vices victory warnings Watchers witnessing Woman ministers women women ministers women speakers women teachers word of God works works of the law worship writing YouVersion Zen Hess

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary marriage dowry in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Precious stones Land Livestock Gold coins

Vice Lists in Paul’s Letters: 5 Observations

Vices: Five Observations

These vice lists contain a surplus of “social vices,” which reflect Paul’s animosity toward sins that disrupt the churches.

The vice lists are not exhaustive so as to provide a complete catalogue of every conceivable sin Paul condemned.

Vice lists can be contrasted with virtue lists (see 2 Corinthians 6:6–7; Galatians 5:22–23; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:12–13).

Paul does not appear to have a preconceived list that he inserts in his letters.

The lists identify specific vices in order to discourage Christ followers from practicing such activities.

What was the primary marriage dowry in Biblical times?