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The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine
attributes of a Christian life according to Paul in his Letter to the
Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."[2]
11 See also
12 References
12.1 Citations
12.2 Sources
Early Commentary
Aquinas pointed out that numbered among the fruits of the Holy Spirit are certain virtues, such as charity,
meekness, faith, and chastity.[4] Augustine defined virtue as "a good habit consonant with our nature." [5]
Though traditionally discussed as nine attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit, the original Greek term translated as
"fruit" is singular. Aquinas explained, "Consequently fruit is mentioned there in the singular, on account of its
being generically one, though divided into many species which are spoken of as so many fruits."[4] Augustine's
commentary on Galatians 5:22-23, says, "the Apostle had no intention of teaching us how many [either works
of the flesh, or fruits of the Spirit] there are; but to show how the former should be avoided, and the latter sought
after."[4]
Love is patient, love is kind.(love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek
its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over
wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never fails.
Evelyn Underhill considered love to the "budding point" from which all the other fruits come, referencing 1
John 4:16, "God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him."[6]
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!"
Joy proceeds from the theological virtue of charity. George Campbell Morgan wrote that "Joy is love's
consciousness."[7] In Augustine's Discourse on the Psalms he says, "We are an Easter people and our song is
'Alleluia'"[8] Noted preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon in his sermon, The Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Joy cited
Psalm 144:15, "[H]appy the people whose God is the Lord."[9]
This does not mean that a person may not experience sadness on occasion through the death of a loved one,
financial trouble, the actions of others, or depression; but underlying the sadness is the sure knowledge that one
is still loved by God.
The word "peace" comes from the Greek word eirene, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word
shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is
unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. The word eirene strongly suggests the rule
of order in place of chaos. When a person is dominated by peace, he has a calm, inner stability that
results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would
normally be very nervewracking, traumatic, or upsetting...Rather than allowing the difficulties and
pressures of life to break him, a person who is possessed by peace is whole, complete, orderly,
stable, and poised for blessing.[12]
Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, who brings peace to the hearts of those who desire it. He says in John
14:27:[13] "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid".
When having peace with God through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are then able to make peace between men, and
also between men and God, also called "evangelism". It is understood that those who have peace with God, and
are therefore sons of God, will act like their Father in heaven and become those who are able to make peace, or
be peace makers, as Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God"[14] and "If
God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even
come on My own initiative, but He sent Me".[15] So by saying this, Jesus is stating that only those who have
received peace with God through Himself, the "Sons of God", are able to make peace, no one else. These sons
of God are specified by John when he says, "None of those who are children of God continue to sin, for Gods
very nature is in them; and because God is their Father, they cannot continue to sin".[16] Paul also says, "Never
pay back evil for evil. Take thought for what is right in the sight of all men".[17] Peace, in the Bible, is much
more than just a lack of yelling or lack of war, it is the presence of YHWH allowed into a place and a person.
Only with the Jewish God is there peace, as Isaiah writes, "'There is no peace,' says the Lord, 'for the
wicked.'"[18] Jesus is the Jewish God,[19][20] and He is alive.[21]
Patience, which in some translations is "longsuffering" or "endurance", is defined in Strong's by two Greek
words, makrothumia and hupomone.
The first, pronounced (mak-roth-oo-mee-ah) comes from makros, "long", and thumos, "temper".
The word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, longsuffering. Also included
in makrothumia is the ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment. It describes a person who has
the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint. (Strong's #3115)
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love".[24]
In contrast, kindness is acting for the good of people regardless of what they do, properly, "useable, i.e. well-fit
for use (for what is really needed); kindness that is also serviceable".[25]
The word kindness comes from the Greek word chrestotes (khray-stot-ace), which meant to show
kindness or to be friendly to others and often depicted rulers, governors, or people who were kind,
mild, and benevolent to their subjects. Anyone who demonstrated this quality of chrestotes was
considered to be compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. The apostle
Paul uses this word to depict God's incomprehensible kindness for people who are unsaved (see
Romans 11:22;[26] Ephesians 2:7;[27] Titus 3:4[28]).
One scholar has noted that when the word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it
conveys the idea of being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly require everyone else to adapt to
his own needs and desires, when chrestotes is working in a believer, he seeks to become adaptable
to the needs of those who are around him. (Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner)
Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others
without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter what. We should live "in purity,
understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power
of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left".[29]
Popular English Bibles (e.g. NIV, NASB, NLT) translate the single Greek word chrestotes into two English
words: kindness and goodness. "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy
of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power".[30] "For the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth",[31] with agathosune being "found only in
Biblical and ecclesiastical writings, uprightness of heart and life"[32]
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews describes it this way: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God".[34]
The root of pistis[35] ("faith") is peith[36] that is to persuade or be persuaded which supplies the core-meaning
of faith as being "divine persuasion", received from God, and never generated by man.
"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.
But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted".[Gal 6:1]
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love".[Eph 4:2]
"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-
control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection;
and to mutual affection, love".[2 Pet 1:5-7]
See also
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
References
Citations
1. "CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CHRISTCHURCH PLACE, CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL (CI)". Dictionary of Irish
Architects 17201940. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
2. Galatians 5:22-23
3. Catechism of he Catholic Church, 1832 (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a7.htm#1832)
4. Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologica, Second and Revised Edition, Fathers of the English Dominican Province, 1920 (ht
tp://www.newadvent.org/summa/2070.htm)
5. Waldron, Martin Augustine. "Virtue." The Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15472a.htm) Vol.
15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 5 May 2015
6. Underhill, Evelyn. Fruits of the Spirit, Church Publishing, Inc., 1989, ISBN 9780819213143 (https://books.google.com/
books?id=d9-jHJ2OLioC&printsec=frontcover&dq=fruit+of+the+holy+spirit&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ajZJVfDrOsOyggSp3Y
CAAg&ved=0CCsQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=fruit%20of%20the%20holy%20spirit&f=false)
7. Morgan, George Campbell. "The Fruit of the Spirit", Classic Sermons on the Fruit of the Spirit, (Warren Wiersbe ed.),
Kregel Academic, 2002, ISBN 9780825496387 (https://books.google.com/books?id=mPOuuzpp7cwC&printsec=frontco
ver&dq=fruit+of+the+holy+spirit&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uUNJVfn3JpD3yQS3wIC4DA&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBzgo#v=onepa
ge&q=fruit%20of%20the%20holy%20spirit&f=false)
8. Augustine of Hippo. Ps. 148, 1-2: CCL 40, 2165-2166
9. Wiersbe p.63.
10. Morgan, Elisa. Naked Fruit: Getting Honest about the Fruit of the Spirit. Revell, 2004. ISBN 978-0-8007-1873-2
11. Pope, Charles. "A Brief Treatise on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit", Archdiocese of Washington, January 27, 2013 (http://bl
og.adw.org/2013/01/a-brief-treatise-on-the-fruits-of-the-holy-spirit/)
12. Renner, Rick. Sparkling Gems from the Greek., Teach All Nations, 2007. ISBN 978-0-9725454-7-1
13. John 14:27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:27;&version=KJV)
14. Matthew 5:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:7;&version=KJV)
15. John 8:42 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208:42;&version=KJV)
16. 1John 3:15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1John%203:15;&version=KJV)
17. Romans 12:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:17;&version=KJV)
18. Isaiah 48:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2048:22;&version=NKJV)
19. John 18:5-6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2018:5-6;&version=NKJV)
20. & version=NKJV Romans 10:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:9;)
21. Rev 1:18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%201:18;&version=NKJV)
22. Michael, Chester P., An Introduction to Spiritual Direction, Paulist Press, 2003, ISBN 9780809141746 (https://books.goo
gle.com/books?id=M1OW44Z8vcAC&pg=PA93&dq=fruit+of+the+holy+spirit&hl=en&sa=X&ei=X1BJVZHEMsOPy
ASd5YCIDA&ved=0CFsQ6AEwCTgy#v=onepage&q=fruit%20of%20the%20holy%20spirit&f=false)
23. [1] (http://concordances.org/greek/3115.htm) Thayer's Greek Lexicon - STRONGS NT 3115:
24. Eph4:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:2;&version=NKJV)
25. [2] (http://concordances.org/greek/5544.htm) Strong's Greek Concordance 5544. chrstots
26. Romans 11:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2011:22;&version=NKJV)
27. Ephesians 2:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:7;&version=NKJV)
28. Titus 3:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%203:4;&version=NKJV)
29. 2Cor 6:6-7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor%206:6-7;&version=NKJV)
30. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Thes%201:11;&version=NKJV)
31. Ephesians 5:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%205:9;&version=NKJV)
32. [3] (http://concordances.org/greek/19.htm) Strong's Greek Concordance 19. agathosune
33. Isaiah 25:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2025:1;&version=NKJV)
34. Heb 12:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2012:2;&version=NKJV)
35. [4] (http://concordances.org/greek/4102.htm) Strong's Greek Concordance 4102. pistis
36. [5] (http://concordances.org/greek/3982.htm) Strong's Greek Concordance 3982. peith
37. [6] (http://concordances.org/greek/4240.htm) Strong's Greek Concordance 4240. prauts: gentleness
38. Graham, Billy. "The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life", Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, ISBN
9781418515690 (https://books.google.com/books?id=Rzp2N6kQOH4C&pg=PT146&dq=fruit+of+the+holy+spirit&hl=
en&sa=X&ei=sTFJVazFEo_5yQSS5oFA&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=fruit%20of%20the%20holy%20spir
it&f=false)
Sources
George A. Kennedy, New Testament Interpretation Through Rhetorical Criticism, George A. Kennedy
(University of North Carolina Press: 1984)
Longman, Robert Jr. "Self-Control". Web: 19 Oct 2010. Spirit Home (http://www.spirithome.com/self-co
ntrol.html)
Classic Sermons on the Fruit of the Spirit (https://books.google.com/books?id=mPOuuzpp7cwC&printse
c=frontcover&dq=fruit+of+the+holy+spirit&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uUNJVfn3JpD3yQS3wIC4DA&ved=0CE
sQ6AEwBzgo#v=onepage&q=fruit%20of%20the%20holy%20spirit&f=false), (Warren Wiersbe ed.),
Kregel Academic, 2002. ISBN 9780825496387
Categories: Spiritual gifts Christian ethics in the Bible Holy Spirit Christian terminology
Pauline Christianity
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