Galatians 5:22

KJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the fruit {G2590} of the Spirit {G4151} is {G2076} love {G26}, joy {G5479}, peace {G1515}, longsuffering {G3115}, gentleness {G5544}, goodness {G19}, faith {G4102},

Complete Jewish Bible

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Berean Standard Bible

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

American Standard Version

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 5:22 introduces the foundational qualities that characterize a life empowered and transformed by the Holy Spirit. In stark contrast to the "works of the flesh" detailed in the preceding verses, these nine virtues—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (though only the first seven are in the provided verse)—are presented as the singular, organic "fruit" cultivated by the Spirit's indwelling presence, manifesting the very character of Christ in the believer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 5:22 stands as a pivotal verse within Paul's letter to the Galatians, specifically following his sharp distinction between living by the flesh and walking by the Spirit. The immediate preceding verses ([Galatians 5:19-21](/galatians/5-19-21 "Galatians 5:19-21 - Works of the Flesh")) enumerate the "works of the flesh," which are vices characteristic of a life lived apart from God's transforming power. Paul's purpose is to highlight that salvation by grace through faith in Christ, rather than adherence to the Mosaic Law, leads to a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, which naturally produces righteous character. The singular "fruit" (Greek: _karpos_) in contrast to the plural "works" (Greek: _erga_) underscores that these virtues are an organic, unified outflow of the Spirit's presence, not fragmented human efforts to earn favor. The passage continues in [Galatians 5:23-26](/galatians/5-23-26 "Galatians 5:23-26 - No Law Against These Things") by completing the list of the fruit and exhorting believers to "walk in the Spirit."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, a region in Asia Minor, to counteract the influence of "Judaizers" who insisted that Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law in addition to believing in Christ for salvation. This theological dispute forms the backbone of the entire letter. In this context, Paul emphasizes that true righteousness and a God-pleasing life are not achieved through legalistic observance but through the Spirit's work. The virtues listed in the fruit of the Spirit were highly valued in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, but Paul presents them as divinely produced, demonstrating a superior way of life that transcends mere human morality or philosophical ethics. The Galatian believers were struggling with divisions and temptations toward the "flesh," making Paul's call to Spirit-led living profoundly relevant to their daily conduct and communal harmony.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key themes in Galatians and Pauline theology. Foremost is the theme of **Spirit-empowered living**, contrasting with legalism and fleshly indulgence. Paul argues that true freedom in Christ is not license for sin but empowerment for righteousness through the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:13](/galatians/5-13 "Galatians 5:13 - Freedom to Serve")). The "fruit of the Spirit" illustrates the **transformed life** that results from genuine faith and the indwelling Spirit, serving as tangible evidence of salvation. It also highlights the theme of **Christian character**, emphasizing that salvation is not merely a legal declaration but a dynamic process of sanctification. Furthermore, the passage reinforces the **unity of the Spirit's work**, as the singular "fruit" suggests that these virtues are interconnected and organically grown, reflecting a holistic transformation into the image of Christ. This stands in direct opposition to the fragmented and destructive "works of the flesh" detailed earlier in [Galatians 5](/galatians/5 "Galatians 5 - Freedom in Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fruit (Greek, _karpós'_):** From the base of ἁρπάζω; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively. In this context, "fruit" is a powerful **metaphor** for the natural, organic outcome or produce of the Holy Spirit's work within a believer. It implies a spontaneous, living growth, not a manufactured product. The singularity of "fruit" (even though a list of qualities follows) emphasizes that these virtues are not disparate, individual achievements but a unified, holistic expression of the Spirit's presence, much like a single tree bears many individual fruits that are all part of the same harvest.
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** From πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit. Here, "Spirit" unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers at conversion. He is the divine agent who cultivates these virtues, making them possible and empowering their growth in the life of one who walks in obedience to Him.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself. While "faith" can refer to saving belief, in the context of the fruit of the Spirit, it is widely understood as "faithfulness" or "fidelity." It denotes reliability, trustworthiness, and loyalty—a steadfast adherence to one's commitments and to God's truth, reflecting a consistent and dependable character. This interpretation aligns with the other character qualities listed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the fruit of the Spirit is":** This opening clause immediately establishes a sharp contrast ("But") with the "works of the flesh" described in [Galatians 5:19-21](/galatians/5-19-21 "Galatians 5:19-21 - Works of the Flesh"). It identifies the source of these positive qualities as the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that they are not human achievements or legalistic efforts but the supernatural outcome of His indwelling presence and work in a believer's life. The singular "fruit" highlights the organic unity and holistic nature of these virtues.
* **"love, joy, peace":** This first triad of virtues focuses primarily on the believer's internal disposition and relationship with God. **Love** (agapē) is selfless, unconditional, and God-like, often considered the preeminent virtue from which all others flow. **Joy** (chará) is a deep-seated gladness rooted in God, independent of external circumstances. **Peace** (eirḗnē) is a state of wholeness, tranquility, and harmony, both inwardly with God and outwardly with others. These three qualities are foundational to a Spirit-filled life.
* **"longsuffering, gentleness, goodness":** This second triad shifts focus to the believer's interaction with others. **Longsuffering** (makrothymía) signifies patience and endurance, especially in bearing with difficult people or trying circumstances without retaliation. **Gentleness** (chrēstótēs) denotes kindness, benevolence, and graciousness in disposition and action. **Goodness** (agathōsýnē) refers to moral excellence, uprightness, and active virtue, demonstrating integrity and a desire to do what is right and beneficial.
* **"faith":** The final quality in this verse (followed by meekness and temperance in [Galatians 5:23](/galatians/5-23 "Galatians 5:23 - Fruit of the Spirit Continued")) is "faith" (pístis). As discussed in the key word analysis, in this context, it is best understood as "faithfulness" or "fidelity." It speaks to the reliability, trustworthiness, and steadfast loyalty of a Spirit-led individual, demonstrating consistency in character and commitment.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the character qualities produced by the Holy Spirit are likened to "fruit." This metaphor is highly effective, conveying the idea that these virtues are not artificial or forced but grow organically and naturally from a living source—the indwelling Spirit—just as fruit grows from a healthy tree. The singular "fruit" for a multitude of qualities is a subtle yet powerful use of **Synecdoche**, where the part (each virtue) is understood as contributing to the whole (the singular fruit of the Spirit), emphasizing their interconnectedness and holistic nature. Furthermore, Paul uses **Asyndeton** in listing the virtues ("love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," without conjunctions between each item). This rapid succession creates a sense of abundance and emphasizes that these qualities are a comprehensive and unified package, flowing seamlessly from the Spirit's work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The fruit of the Spirit represents the visible evidence of the Holy Spirit's transforming work in a believer's life, serving as a divine counter-narrative to the fallen human nature. It underscores the New Covenant reality where God's Spirit is poured out to enable believers to live righteously, fulfilling the law not by external compulsion but by internal transformation. This transformation is not merely about avoiding sin, but actively cultivating virtues that reflect the character of God Himself. The singular "fruit" emphasizes that these qualities are not independent virtues to be pursued in isolation, but rather different facets of a single, unified Christ-like character, demonstrating that true spiritual maturity is holistic.

* [Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled") - "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
* [Colossians 3:12-14](/colossians/3-12-14 "Colossians 3:12-14 - Put on Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Love") - "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
* [Ephesians 5:9](/ephesians/5-9 "Ephesians 5:9 - The Fruit of the Spirit") - "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The fruit of the Spirit is not a list of virtues we are commanded to produce by sheer willpower, but rather the natural outflow of a life surrendered to and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is a profound reminder that Christian living is less about human striving and more about divine abiding. As we yield to the Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to prune and cultivate our hearts, these Christ-like qualities will increasingly manifest in our lives. This transformation is a continuous process, inviting us to daily rely on the Spirit, listen to His promptings, and choose to walk in obedience to His leading. The presence of this fruit is not only for our personal sanctification but also serves as a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the reality and beauty of God's transforming grace. It challenges us to examine our lives: are we producing the "fruit of the Spirit" or the "works of the flesh"?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you see the "fruit of the Spirit" most clearly manifesting?**
* **Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to cultivate, and what steps can you take to yield more fully to the Spirit in that area?**
* **How does understanding the "fruit" as singular and organic change your approach to spiritual growth?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to "walk in the Spirit" ([Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk in the Spirit")) so that His fruit may be more evident in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why is "fruit" singular when there are multiple qualities listed?**

Answer: The singular form of "fruit" (Greek: _karpós_) is highly significant. It emphasizes that these nine qualities (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance) are not separate, independent virtues that a believer acquires one by one through individual effort. Instead, they are presented as a unified, organic whole—a single "fruit" of the Spirit's work. Just as a healthy tree produces a holistic harvest, the Holy Spirit produces a complete, integrated character in the believer. This singular fruit reflects the unified character of Christ, indicating that true spiritual maturity is a comprehensive transformation, not a fragmented collection of traits.

**What is the difference between the "works of the flesh" and the "fruit of the Spirit"?**

Answer: Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" ([Galatians 5:19-21](/galatians/5-19-21 "Galatians 5:19-21 - Works of the Flesh")) with the "fruit of the Spirit" to highlight two fundamentally different ways of living. The "works of the flesh" are plural, reflecting fragmented, self-centered actions that originate from human sinful nature apart from God. They are often destructive and lead to spiritual death. In contrast, the "fruit of the Spirit" is singular, representing a unified, God-centered character that is supernaturally produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit in a believer. These qualities are life-giving, beneficial, and reflect the character of Christ. The distinction underscores that a Christian's life is not about trying harder to be good (works) but about yielding to the Spirit's power to transform (fruit).

**Does "faith" in this verse refer to saving faith, or something else?**

Answer: While "faith" (Greek: _pístis_) can certainly refer to saving faith (belief in Christ for salvation), in the context of the "fruit of the Spirit," most biblical scholars interpret it as "faithfulness" or "fidelity." The other qualities in the list are character traits that are lived out in daily life (e.g., love, joy, peace, patience). Therefore, "faith" here refers to the characteristic of being trustworthy, reliable, and steadfast in one's commitments and in one's walk with God and others. It speaks to integrity and dependability, a consistent demonstration of loyalty and truthfulness that flows from a Spirit-filled life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The fruit of the Spirit finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential embodiment of divine love, unshakeable joy, profound peace, unwavering longsuffering, perfect gentleness, absolute goodness, and complete faithfulness. Every quality listed in [Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22 - Fruit of the Spirit") was perfectly demonstrated in His earthly life and ministry, from His selfless sacrifice on the cross ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")) to His patient endurance of suffering ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). The Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, is the Spirit of Christ ([Romans 8:9](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - Spirit of Christ")), and His primary work is to conform believers into the image of Christ ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")). Therefore, the "fruit of the Spirit" is nothing less than the character of Christ being progressively formed within us, enabling us to live as He lived, reflecting His glory to the world. It is through abiding in Him, the true vine, that we bear much fruit ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")), demonstrating that our spiritual vitality is entirely dependent on our union with Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Colossians 3:12

¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 Corinthians 13:4

¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1 Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.