The Fruit of the Spirit

Regarding the qualities that are to flow from the heart of the followers of Jesus, the Apostle Paul wrote, "... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

I am of the persuasion that the word "fruit" is singular in it's meaning. I believe that the outgrowth from having the Holy Spirit in your life is supposed to produce, if not all of these attributes Paul mentions, then at least some of them.

Of course "the fruit of the Spirit" ... if singular ... is "love" and rightly so because God is love and He is in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. Right or wrong, I look at this "love" as not just a singular fruit, but rather the whole fruit tree that produces the other eight fruits Paul names, which grow and develop out of God's love in you.

I also wonder if we aren't suppose to be like the "tree of life" that John saw in Revelation 22:2, which produced twelve types of fruit and even the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Is it too far off for me to believe that the fruit we bare might help heal the people around us? If we love people ... well, it can't hurt ... it might even be healing.

1st John 4:7-8 ... "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God ... He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

Since "God is love," should not the the mark of the followers of Jesus be love also. Shouldn't we desire to be like Him?

Just before Paul speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, he reminds the Galatians about the Jewish Law from which he came from. Galatians 5:14 ... "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

I believe Paul was referring to Leviticus 19:18 ... "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."

Romans 13:8 ... "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."

In the preceding verses of this chapter, Paul has been showing the duty which all Christians owe to the civil magistrates of the state. But to our fellow man, we owe nothing but mutual love. Therefore, it is as if the apostle is saying ... Ye owe to your fellow brethren nothing but mutual love, and this is what the law of God requires, and in this the law is fulfilled.

Love is the source from which all the other Christian virtues flow, and love is the primary obligation we have in life. And isn't this what Jesus did?

Even though this love has been placed into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit, love is more than mere sentiment or a matter of your affections. It is a matter of your "will."

Now ... because it is a matter of your will ... many times you will be called upon to exercise that Godly "will" because loving those around you is a duty and a divine obligation. So, we have to practice acts of love and righteousness that will benefit our neighbors. Even if we think they don't deserve it.

Continuing with the fruits ...

"Joy" ... in the Greek it is "chara" (pronounced khar-ah') and means cheerfulness, or a calm delight.

A characteristic mark that this fruit of the Spirit brings to your life is an inward sense of joy regardless of circumstances; even in the midst of sorrow.
 
"Peace" ... translated from Greek it is "eire ne" (pronounced i-rah'-nay) meaning simply ... peace; by implication prosperity ... quietness, rest.

In Hebrew, the word for peace is "Shalom," which differs from the Greek in that it means more than just the absence of strife, but also includes the idea of "wholeness, health, balance and reconciliation." In addition to the idea of having peace with God, shalom implies the peace of God ... which Paul said, "passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)

"Long-suffering" ... The Apostle Paul uses the word "makrothumia" (which is pronounced mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah) meaning forbearance and fortitude ... in other words, long-suffering with patience.

This Greek word comes from two other words ... "macros" or great, and "thuo" meaning sacrifice, which together suggests someone who is slow to anger, with patient endurance of wrongdoing without taking vengeance. The idea implies that we are not easily offended by the faults of others. Long-suffering does not mean you will suffer long ... but you are willing if need be toward others.

"Gentleness" ... or "chrestotes" (pronounced khray-stot'-ace) meaning usefulness or kindness to others ... a moral excellence in character or a demeanor like gentleness.

This word conveys tenderheartedness and is associated with a generous disposition or benevolence.

"Goodness" ... the Greek is "agathosune" (pronounced ag-ath-o-soo'-nay) translated correctly as goodness, meaning a person of virtue or beneficence ... the practice of love, acts of goodness.

"Faith" ... or "pistis" (pronounced pis'-tis) as a persuasion, or a moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God), especially constancy in such profession ... assurance, belief, faith, fidelity.

The word faith can refer to the attitude of believing, the trust placed in the integrity of a person or in God, such as their ethical qualities or dependability.

"Meekness" ... "praotes" (pronounced prah-ot'-ace) meaning in the Greek, gentleness. This word is not the same as the fruit, gentleness.

In today's vocabulary, meekness is thought of as kind of "milk-toast" or the 97 pound weakling. This fruit of the Spirit should really be translated as ... "humility." You can have a humble demeanor, not boastful or proud, and still be a physically and mentally strong, healthy and vivacious person. Like Jesus was.

In the Jewish tradition, humility is among the greatest virtues, whereas pride is one of the worst attitudes. In this sense, humility also allows you to be teachable ... a very good trait or characteristic in a person; especially one trying to be like Jesus.

"Temperance" ... "egkrateia" in the Greek, (pronounced eng-krat'-i-ah) means self control, temperance. In Latin versions it can be ... "continent" ... holding together, restraining oneself, as in exercising self-restraint, especially sexually.

This word, often translated as "self control" refers especially to the inner strength needed to overcome sinful sexual desires. This inner strength comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, providing the self-restraint needed to please God, not only in this area, but in other areas where moderation is needed as well. Being placed last in this list of virtues, allows temperance to be sort of a summation of ... "the fruit of the Spirit." It's that important.

1st Peter 1:23 ... "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

Galatians 6:7-8, "... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

If there is no seed planted, there will be no fruit. The type of seed always determines the type of fruit.



Comments welcome.