Galatians 5:22-23

TEXT 5:22, 23

(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

PARAPHRASE 5:22, 23

22 But the fruit which reason enlightened by the Spirit of God produceth, is love to God and man; joy, occasioned by that excellent affection; peace with all men; the patient bearing of injuries; a soft and sweet manner of speaking; a beneficent disposition; fidelity in engagements, promises, and trust;
23 Calmness under provocations; temperance in the use of meats and drinks. In praise of these virtues I observe, that there never was any law or religion by which they were prohibited, or the persons punished who practiced them.

COMMENT 5:22

fruit

1.

The word fruit here takes the place of works in Galatians 5:19.

a.

Trees that produce fruit are cultivated on the account of the fruit.

b.

Glorious things in our lives will be produced as fruit, if we choose to be spiritual.

2.

Fruit is a proof of the tree.

a.

For the tree is known by its fruit. Matthew 12:33

b.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Matthew 7:18

3.

The source of good fruit is described.

a.

Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22

b.

The gospel. is bearing. fruit in you. Colossians 1:6

c.

He that abideth in me. beareth much fruit. John 15:5

4.

The ways that we bear fruit are listed.

let us offer fruit of lips that make confession to his name.

Hebrews 13:15

this shall bring fruit from my work. Philippians 1:22

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. James 3:18

Bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

By being cleansed. John 15:2

Abiding in Christ. John 15:5

of the Spirit

1.

Is the word spirit here, the spirit of man or the Holy Spirit?

a.

Commentators do not seem anxious to deal with the question.

b.

The word is capitalized in the Scripture which expresses the viewpoint of the majority of scholars involved in translation.

c.

MacKnight says, It is not possible to give a higher praise to any temper of mind or course of life than to say it is the fruit of the Spirit; whether by the spirit we understand the Spirit of God, or the spirit of man.

d.

The Pulpit Commentary says: The relation expressed here by the genitive case of the noun, -of the Spirit-' is probably much the same as is expressed by the corresponding genitive, -of the flesh,-' in each case meaning -belonging to-' or -due to the operation of-'; for the agent who in the one case does the works is not the flesh, but the person acting under the influence of the flesh; so here the fruitbearer is not -the Spirit, but the person controlled by the Spirit.-'

2.

An examination of life, of history, and of scripture reveals that man is sinful, so these fruits are not the fruits of man's spirit. The fruits of Galatians 5:22-23 are Divine attributes.

a.

However, these fruits do not appear in our lives without strenuous endeavor on our part.

b.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12-13

love

1.

Much has been said on the subject but none is so eloquent as 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

2.

Jesus must be heard, for He says that love is in three directions: toward God, toward man, and toward self.

Matthew 22:37

a.

Love toward men is in two directions: toward those that love us, and toward our enemies.

1)

Love your enemies. Matthew 5:44

2)

There is no honor in loving those that love you. Matthew 5:46

b.

Love will prove our discipleship.

By this shall all men know. John 13:35

3.

John should be heardfor he speaks so pointedly.

a.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. 1 John 4:20

b.

God is love; and he that abideth in love, abideth in God. 1 John 4:16

joy

1.

This is radiance, a bubbling forth, like a mountain spring that has an eternal source.

a.

There is no room for complaint of one's portion.

b.

Listen to Paul in prisonin need of cloak, and parchments.

1)

Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 3:1

2)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

3)

I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound. Philippians 4:12

c.

Hear Paul in writing to Romans: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

2.

The contrast would be the coldness and severity of feeling which many people have.

a.

The Christian can not testify of the blessedness of Christ if his face is long, and his stories of hardship are endless.

b.

Let us radiate joy and happiness until the world will desire the Christ.

peace

1.

Two things definitely will be absent from the heart that has peace.

a.

Worry will be absent: Be not anxious for your life. Matthew 6:25

b.

Hatred and strife will be absent.

1)

Abraham said, Let there be no strife. Genesis 13:8

2)

on earth, peace, among men. Luke 2:14

3)

the mind of the Spirit is peace. Romans 8:6

4)

He is our peace. Ephesians 2:14

2.

Peace proves our wisdom: The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable. James 3:17

3.

This virtue practiced would end all war: That we may lead a quiet and peaceful (tranquil A.S.) life. 1 Timothy 2:2

longsuffering

1.

Paul expresses this is as a result of love: love suffereth long. 1 Corinthians 13:4

a.

What is wrong, but a lack of love, when marriages do not last a year?

b.

Love is not present when some churches have folks sitting on opposite sides of the building to keep from speaking to each other.

c.

Men are quick to cease their efforts for good.

2.

God is longsuffering; without this grace there would be no salvation.

a.

Longsufferingnot wishing that any should perish. 2 Peter 3:9

b.

Longsuffering. in the days of Noah. 1 Peter 3:20

c.

Men would blow the universe up in disgust, but God waits.

kindness

1.

This, in the King James, is gentleness.

2.

The etymology of the word means usableness and seems to suggest sweetness of disposition, a willingness to comply, a willingness to be of service to others.

3.

This word in the Greek appears in 2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 2:7; Colossians 3:1; Titus 3:4, and is translated as kindness.

4.

In Romans 2:4The same word is translated goodness.

5.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4 speaks of love being kind; so if we will love, many good things will result.

a.

Courtesy, sympathy, and understanding are in the word kind.

b.

Consideration will be an attribute of one who is kind.

6.

One who is kind will watch his speech, for words can cut deeply and wound severely the sensitive soul.

goodness

1.

This term seems to be a wide art of benevolence. See Romans 5:14, also Ephesians 5:9.

2.

The Christian is to be more than good; his life is to be exceedingly good, as Jesus expressed in Matthew 5:20.

3.

It is to be exercised especially toward the Christian. Galatians 6:10

faithfulness

1.

There seems to be some dispute as to what shade of meaning the apostle hadfaith or faithfulness.

a.

The Pulpit Commentary insists that the idea of fidelity, which the word bears in Titus 2:10, seems out of place when we consider the particular evils which are now in his eye as existing or in danger of arising in the Galatian Church.

b.

The Pulpit Commentary says belief in the gospel fits the occasion perfectly.

2.

It would be a rare case that a lesson on faithfulness would not be needed.

3.

If Christ is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8), then faithfulness must be included in the list of the fruit of the Spirit.

4.

It is essential to salvation.

a.

Be thou faithful unto death. Revelation 2:10

b.

Except ye believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2

c.

Endureth to the end. Matthew 10:22

d.

No man. looking back. is fit. Luke 9:62

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT 5:22, 23

I.

Types of Fruit found in the New Testament

A.

Consumptive fruit, i.e., literal fruit. (Matthew 21:19, Luke 22:18)

B.

Conception is used figuratively as fruit. Luke 1:42the fruit of the womb. Genesis 1:28Be fruitful and multiply.

C.

Confession is referred to as fruit. Hebrews 13:15The fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name.

D.

Contributions are called fruit. Romans 15:28I put my seal on this fruit of theirs. Philippians 4:16-17.

E.

Conversions are also regarded as fruit. John 4:31-36, 1 Corinthians 16:15first-fruits of Achaia.

F.

Conduct in general is alluded to as fruit. Colossians 1:10bearing fruit in every good work.

G.

Character is the primary understanding of fruit in the N.T. Galatians 5:22-23 lists character qualities. Ephesians 5:9

II.

Principles of Fruit

A.

The Spirit of God produces the fruit, we just bear it. Hosea 14:2 From Me comes your fruit. John 15:4As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

B.

Spiritual fruit always comes in a cluster. Fruit is singular in Galatians 5:22. We can-'t have one aspect of Christ's character without the rest.

C.

Spiritual fruit is the NORM for the Christian life. Every Christian is to manifest all of these character qualities.

D.

Spiritual fruit constitutes the character of Christ-likeness. Christ was the perfect personification of this fruit.

E.

Spiritual fruit is the visible criteria of a genuine Christian. Matthew 7:20by their fruits, ye shall know them.

F.

Spiritual fruit implies a quiet, steady growth. It is not a bombastic, spectacular display, but more often a quiet evidence of abundant life.

G.

Mature fruit-bearing takes TIME. Fruit doesn-'t grow overnight. We must not expect a perfect expression of these habitudes immediately.

H.

There is a personal responsibility in fruit-bearing.

1.

There is a yieldedness and dying to Self required.

2.

We must walk in the Spirit, i.e., maintain the fullness of the Spirit. Galatians 5:16

3.

We must abide in Christ. John 15:1-27

Conclusion

To walk after the flesh is the fate of once-born men; to walk after the Spirit is the feat of twice-born men.

COMMENT 5:23

meekness

1.

This is quite often thought of as weakness, but the two words resemble each other only in sound.

a.

It does not mean spiritless but does mean the opposite of domineering and blustering.

b.

It means mild of temper, patient under injuries.

2.

There is strength in humility.

a.

Moses was meek. Numbers 12:3

b.

Jesus was meek. Matthew 11:29

c.

Now, name two men who had a greater influence for human society than those two persons.

3.

Examine the words of Jesus in the light of history: The meek shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5, Cf. Psalms 37:11

a.

Hitler with his goose step and brag of a superior race, went down to defeat, to poverty, to ashes, and destruction.

b.

Those nations that allow the meek and lowly Jesus to be preached, are the leading nations of the world.

c.

If our riches destroy our meekness then pride goeth before destruction. Proverbs 16:18

4.

There are some very fine instructions on the subject.

a.

In meekness correcting. 2 Timothy 2:25

b.

Walk. with lowliness and meekness. Ephesians 4:2

c.

Showing all meekness. Titus 3:2

d.

Receive with meekness. James 1:21

e.

Give a reason. concerning hope. with meekness. 1 Peter 3:15

self control

1.

Temperance is the King James translation.

2.

This word stands in opposition to such words as fornication, drunkenness, and revellings, named in this chapter.

3.

Control of mind and body is an essential for an elder. See 1 Timothy 3:2-4; also Titus 2:2.

4.

Alexander the Great controlled the world at age 33, but died at that age because he failed to control his own lusts.

against such there is no law

1.

These attributes are generally recognized as beneficial, hence men do not legislate against them.

a.

Who would want a law against being kind? Humane societies are formed to encourage men to extend kindness to animals.

b.

These are opposed by the law of lust, but no legislation of man or God is against the fruit of the Spirit.

2.

The law of Moses is not against these.

a.

The law could not produce righteousness. Galatians 3:21

b.

We walk not after the flesh. See Romans 8:4.

c.

The law pointed out these sins, so the law would not be against these.

STUDY QUESTIONS 5:22, 23

808.

What does the Spirit producefruit or works?

809.

Is fruit a proof of the kind of a tree?

810.

Is the Spirit the source of good fruit?

811.

Find as many places in God's Word as you can where the word fruit is used.

812.

Is the word Spirit capitalized?

813.

Does this indicate man's fruit or God's fruit?

814.

Are they divine attributes even though you should conclude that the word spirit is used here to be opposite flesh?

815.

Why does he put love first here, when he places it last in 1 Corinthians 13:13?

816.

Should love be first, last, and always?

817.

What love is meant in this verse?

818.

Does he mean love for God or love for man, or both?

819.

What if we do not have love in our heart?

820.

Describe joy.

821.

Can one be sour, disgruntled, and a chronic complainer and be joyful?

822.

When should a person be joyful?

823.

Where may we exhibit joy as a testimony of our faith?

824.

If Christians were joyful, would it be a contrast to the fun-loving world?

825.

Describe peace.

826.

If one has worry and anxiety, does he have peace?

827.

Is the peace described here only the absence of war?

828.

How are peace and wisdom connected?

829.

What will be absent from the heart of the man who is peaceful?

830.

Define longsuffering.

831.

In what relationship should longsuffering work?

832.

Is God longsuffering toward us?

833.

Define kindness.

834.

What does Paul say about it in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13?

835.

Can you hate and be kind?

836.

Can you love and be unkind?

837.

Do people in love sometimes treat others with more kindness than they do each other?

838.

Do we take advantage of the longsuffering of others?

839.

How can unkindness manifest itself?

840.

Are you able to define goodness?

841.

Is it easier to define than it is to practice?

842.

Are we to be as good as the Pharisees?

843.

Define faithfulness.

844.

Are faith and faithfulness the same?

845.

Is God faithful? What is the evidence?

846.

Is faithfulness essential to salvation?

847.

When a person lacks it, has he fallen from grace?

848.

If your answer to the two former questions is yes, then is it possible for a person to fall from grace and to be lost?

849.

Define meekness in the Word of God.

850.

Is it weakness or does it have strength?

851.

Jesus said that the meek would inherit the earth: in the light of the Communistic power does He seem to be right?

852.

Give examples of great people who were meek.

853.

Name some other scriptures that teach on the subject of meekness.

854.

Explain the meaning of self-control.

855.

How do other translations speak of it?

856.

What appetites destroy control?

857.

Is a failure at this point enough to disqualify a man for the eldership?

858.

Have you heard of laws against these virtues?

859.

Why do men not legislate against kindness, love, patience, etc.?

860.

What kind of a world would we have if all our society produced the fruit of the Spirit?