5:22-23 How is the fruit of the spirit defined?
5:22-23 How is the fruit of the spirit defined?
The fruit of the spirit are Godly characteristics produced by the Holy Spirit in Christians as they are conformed to the image of Christ. Paul contrasts these characteristics of Christlikeness which Christians should manifest with the "works of the flesh" he warns against in Ga 5:19-21 (cp Ga 5:19-21).
These works bring death, whereas the fruit of the spirit bring life.
Love is the deepest possible expression of the personality and of the closeness of personal relations.
This is the love that God is Himself, and which believers are enjoined to exhibit to be identified with God (cp Jn 13:34-35; Ro 13:8-10; 1Jn 4:7-21).
This love is self-suffering, patient, kind; never jealous; never haughty or boastful or proud; never acts unbecomingly or indecently; is not selfseeking; is never rude or discourteous; does not become irritated or angry; does not keep account of wrong done to it; it thinketh no evil and does not rejoice in that which is evil, but only in that which is true (cp 1Cor 13:3-7).
This love is produced in the hearts of Christians by the Holy Spirit (cp Ro 5:5).
For a more detailed study on how Christians are to love see comments on Jn 13:34-35; Ro 13:8; 1Cor 12:31; Ga 5:1-8, 5:13; 1Th 3:12; 1Jn 3:7, 3:15, 3:16-18, 3:19-22, 4:7-21; Rev 4:7-13.
Joy is the happy state that characterizes the Christian life. It emanates from the Christian's love for God, and the assurance they have that the end of their faith is the salvation of their souls (cp 1Pe 1:8-9).
Joy is not to be confused with happiness, which is the outward expression of pleasure, a superficial emotion dependent upon circumstances. Joy is not the result of favourable circumstances; it manifests even under the most extreme conditions (cp Ac 5:40-42; 16:19-33; 2Cor 7:4, 13; 8:1-5; He 12:1-3; Jas 1:2; 1Pe 4:13).
God Himself is the ground and object of the believer's joy (cp Neh 8:10; Psa 16:11; 35:9; Isa 61:10; Ro 5:11; 15:13; Php 4:4).
Peace is the sense of well-being, the spiritual tranquility that comes from God in the midst of the storms of life. It is an abiding confidence Christians have in the knowledge that God will sustain them in all their circumstances (cp Jn 14:27; 16:33; Ro 8:6; 15:13 with Php 4:11-13).
It was the peace of God abiding in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Old Testament that enabled them to willingly be consigned to the fiery furnace (cp Dan 3:4-28), and for Daniel to willingly be cast into the lion's den (cp Dan 6:1-23).
Longsuffering is patient endurance. It speaks of the steadfastness of the soul under provocation; being able to bear long with the frailties and offences of others without anger or thought of revenge (cp 1Cor 13:4-7; 2Cor 6:4-6; Eph 4:1-3; Col 3:12-13; 1Ti 1:16; 2Ti 2:8-10; 3:10; 4:1-2).
Gentleness is the grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing in it all that is harsh and cutting. It is a kindly disposition toward others: gentle, soft-spoken, even-tempered, cultured and refined in character and conduct (cp Eph 4:32; Col 3:12-13; 2Ti 2:24-26; Tit 3:1-2).
Goodness is that which is morally honourable and pleasing to God; the quality of moral worth in Christians who are ruled by and aim to live their lives in accordance with God's will (cp Ro 15:14; Eph 5:9-10). Faith (KJV), which should read faithfulness, means unswerving loyalty, commitment, trustworthiness and honesty in all aspects of the Christian life.
Christians must remain true to their calling in God, no matter what may befall them (cp Mt 25:14-30; Ro 3:3-4; 1Ti 6:11-12; 2Ti 4:7; Tit 2:9-11).
Meekness is a humble, mild, gentle, forbearing disposition.
It is not weakness as many think, but controlled strength in gentleness and forbearance; restraint coupled with strength and courage. One can be meek, but actively angry at evil (cp Mt 5:5; 11:29 with Mt 21:12; 23:13-33 and Mk 3:5; 1Cor 4:21; Ga 6:1; Col 3:12; 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:24-26; Tit 3:2; Jas 1:21; 1Pe 3:15).
Temperance is self-control; having mastery over one's desires and passions (cp Pr 23:1-5; 25:16; Ro 13:14; 1Cor 9:24-27; 1Th 5:6-8; Tit 2:1-10; 2Pe 1:5-10). Adding temperance to knowledge in 2Pe 1:6 suggests that what is learnt requires to be put into practice.
Paul's final comment in Ga 5:23 is that there is no spiritual law in force that can condemn Christians whose lives manifest this spiritual fruit (cp V23).