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What is the fruit of the Spirit? (the nine qualities of Galatians 5)

Faith

Short answer

The fruit of the Spirit is the character the Holy Spirit grows in a believer's life. Paul lists nine qualities in Galatians 5:22–Galatians 5:23:

love · joy · peace · patience · kindness · goodness · faithfulness · gentleness · self-control

Paul calls it 'fruit' (singular), not 'fruits', one cluster with nine facets, grown together as the natural produce of a life led by the Spirit. He sets it directly against the 'works of the flesh' (Galatians 5:19–Galatians 5:21) and adds that 'against such things there is no law' (Galatians 5:23).

Question

What is the fruit of the Spirit? (the nine qualities in Galatians 5)

Analysis

Fruit, not achievement

The image is deliberate. Fruit is grown, not manufactured, it comes from being connected to a living source, the way a branch bears fruit only by staying joined to the vine (John 15:4; John 15:5). So this is not a self-improvement checklist to grit out; it is what the Spirit produces in a person who 'walks by the Spirit' (Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:25). The contrast Paul draws is stark: the flesh produces division, jealousy, and strife (Galatians 5:19–Galatians 5:21); the Spirit produces love and its family of virtues.

The nine facets

They fall loosely into three groups: qualities toward God (love, joy, peace), toward others (patience, kindness, goodness), and in oneself (faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). Love leads the list and is elsewhere called the greatest and the bond that holds the rest together (1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:14). Jesus taught that a tree is known by its fruit, 'By their fruit you will recognize them' (BSB, Matthew 7:16; Matthew 7:20), so this fruit is also the visible evidence of a changed heart, and it brings glory to God (John 15:8).

Sources, trace every one

Every cited verse, in full. Tap any reference to open it in the reader.

  • Galatians 5:22bsb

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

  • Galatians 5:23bsb

    gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  • Galatians 5:19bsb

    The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

  • Galatians 5:21bsb

    and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

  • John 15:4bsb

    Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

  • John 15:5bsb

    I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

  • Galatians 5:16bsb

    So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

  • Galatians 5:25bsb

    Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:13bsb

    And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

  • Colossians 3:14bsb

    And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

  • Matthew 7:16bsb

    By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

  • Matthew 7:20bsb

    So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.

  • John 15:8bsb

    This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

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What is the fruit of the Spirit? (the nine qualities of Galatians 5) · Bubble Bible