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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Answer me now, thou that accusest thine own flesh, and supposest that this is said of it as of an enemy and adversary. Let it be allowed that adultery and fornication proceed, as you assert, from the flesh; yet hatred, variance, emulations, strife, heresies, and witchcraft, these arise merely from a depraved moral choice. And so it is with the others also, for how can they belong to the flesh? you observe that he is not here speaking of the flesh, but of earthly thoughts, which trail upon the ground. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
These, he says, are the works of the corrupt carnal will, among which are recognized adultery and fornication. And it is clear how much adultery differs from fornication. He hints at shameless customs which he did not even dare to name.
Oecumenius
"are evident." Therefore he seemed to say: From their own fruits you will recognize the wicked and base society. But "flesh" he speaks of again, of the corrupting imagination and of the earthy and fleshly life. "the works of the flesh." It is therefore clear that by "flesh" he calls the fleshly mindset, that is, the soul's tendency toward worse things; and by "spirit" the given grace. "uncleanness, filthiness." He says unclean and shamelessness, shameful practices of prostitution.
Western Saints
Jerome
The works of the flesh are evident, which are: fornication, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, "the works of the flesh are manifest," he proves what he has said through certain effects. First, he mentions the works of the flesh which are opposed to the Holy Spirit; Secondly, he shows how the works of the Spirit are not forbidden by the Law (23b). As to the first, he does two things: First, he mentions the works of the flesh that are forbidden by the Law; Secondly, the works of the Spirit which are not forbidden by it (v. 22). …
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