Galatians 5:22

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

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},

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

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

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

Galatians 5:22 (KJV)

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

Context and Meaning

This verse is part of a section where Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21), which characterize a life lived apart from God's influence, with the "fruit of the Spirit." The "fruit" represents the positive qualities and character that are produced in a believer's life by the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. The term "fruit" is singular, suggesting that these nine listed qualities are not separate virtues but interconnected aspects of a single, unified outcome of the Spirit's work – reflecting the character of Christ.

Key Aspects of the Fruit (KJV terms)

  • Love: (Greek: agapē) Selfless, unconditional love, like God's love for humanity. It is often seen as the foundational quality from which others flow (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
  • Joy: (Greek: chara) A deep-seated gladness and delight that is rooted in God and independent of external circumstances.
  • Peace: (Greek: eirēnē) A state of wholeness, tranquility, and harmony, both inwardly and in relationships with God and others.
  • Longsuffering: (Greek: makrothymia) Patience and endurance, particularly in bearing with difficult people or trying circumstances without giving up or retaliating.
  • Gentleness: (Greek: chrēstotēs) Kindness, benevolence, graciousness in disposition and action.
  • Goodness: (Greek: agathōsýnē) Moral excellence, uprightness, active virtue and integrity.
  • Faith: (Greek: pistis) In this context, it likely refers to faithfulness or trustworthiness as a reliable character trait, rather than saving faith (which is the means by which one receives the Spirit).

Linguistic Note

The singular Greek word for "fruit" (karpos) emphasizes that these qualities are an organic whole, the unified result of the Spirit's indwelling presence and work in a believer, rather than individual virtues attained through human effort alone.

Reflection

The fruit of the Spirit is not something we produce by willpower, but something God produces in us as we yield to and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). It is evidence of a life being transformed into Christlikeness. Cultivating this fruit involves daily reliance on the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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