Scripture for Life: The Rev. Dr. James A. Lee

What Does 'Fruit of the Spirit' Mean?
When Christians speak of the work of the "Holy Spirit", they are speaking about the operations of the Spirit of God in the material world we live in, and within us. But God the Holy Spirit isn't here just to hang out, or to do a miracle or two for sport. The Spirit is there to cause things to happen in peoples' lives that bring them more in tune with God's purposes on earth (and beyond). When the Spirit starts changing someone, it shows as a growth in character, a change in their way of life that is good for the people they live among. This change in character is called a 'fruit of the Spirit', like the fruit grown by a tree can feed people and wildlife. From ancient times to today, abundant fruit from an orchard is seen as cause for hope and celebration. Abundant spiritual fruit also breeds hope and is well worth celebrating.

Paul Describes Them
The most famous Bible passage about the fruit of the Spirit is in Galatians 5:22, where the apostle Paul gives us a list of fruit. (Paul was into making lists.) The list is meant as a contrast to the list of the 'deeds of the flesh' found in 5:19-20. The spiritual fruit list is clearly not intended as an exhaustive description of the fruits, but was given to highlight the fruits that Paul wants the Galatian church to keep in mind. He lists the following nine fruit of the Spirit:

•love (agape);
•joy (chara);
•peace (eirene);
•patience (makrothumia);
•kindness (chrestotes);
•goodness (agathosune);
•faithfulness (pistis);
•gentleness (prautes);
•self-control (enkrateia).
(Check out the links for each word above, and throughout the page. The Galatians passage can also be read as listing the other eight as subsets of the first: love. Many Bible students insist that the singular of 'fruit' be used, and not the plural ('fruit' instead of 'fruits'). Yet, in English, the singular form of 'fruit' is occasionally used like a plural.)

When Paul follows the list of the fruit of the Spirit by saying "against such things there is no law", he was talking about the fact that the religious authorities and the Hebrew Torah (law) are positive toward behavior that shows these characteristics. Even a staunch enemy of the church will likely find these qualities appealing. These are known to be positive characteristics by almost everyone, in most eras, in most lands.

Prayer: We pray Dear Lord The Spirit of Christ dwell deeply in your hearts and souls to give unto the Lord for a real blessing. In Jesus name we pray.