FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

The fruit of the Spirit is singular not plural in the Greek language, thus it is not “fruits” of the Spirit but “fruit” of the Spirit: a cluster of fruit manifest as “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith meekness and temperance.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
 

1. Love is the Greek word agape meaning a God-like kind of love, initiative love.

   1. John 13:35 “ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
   2. Romans 13:10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
   3. I Corinthians 13:1-13 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love…Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
   4. I John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

2. Joy is the Greek word chara meaning the joy of the presence of God, which is different from happiness that depends upon circumstances.

   1. John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
   2. Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praise unto God:”
   3. I Thessalonians 1:6 “Joy of the Holy Ghost.”
   4. Hebrews 12:2 “Jesus, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. Peace is the Greek word eirene meaning rest, inner quietness and calmness.

   1. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

4. Long-Suffering is the Greek word makrothumia meaning patience and forbearance in the presence of wrong or persecution, slowness to take offense.

5. Gentleness is the Greek word chrestotes meaning tender as a mother with a child, controlled strength, kindness.

   1. Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

6. Goodness is the Greek word agathosune meaning goodness of God, benevolent, generous, virtuous, valuable, beautiful, of great worth, find no fault.

   1. Acts 11:24 Barnabas is described as “a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

7. Faith is the Greek word pistis meaning trust, relying upon, grace to rest in God, free from care and anxiety.

   1. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of the things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.”

8. Meekness is the Greek word praiotes meaning mildness, controlled strength in our relationship with others.

   1. II Corinthians 10:1 “I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.”

9. Temperance is the Greek word egkrateia meaning restraint, self-control or more accurately, Spirit-control.

   1. II Peter 1:6 “Add to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;”

This fruit cluster is the result of our abiding in Jesus and He is in us as a branch abides in the Vine. As we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, we will bear much fruit that will glorify God.