What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Key verse: Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
"But 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 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists nine qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers: love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith (faithfulness), meekness (gentleness), and temperance (self-control). Paul uses the singular 'fruit' rather than 'fruits' to indicate these are not separate qualities to choose from but a unified cluster that grows together. The fruit of the Spirit is contrasted with the 'works of the flesh' listed earlier in the chapter — sexual immorality, hatred, strife, jealousy, and similar sins. The key difference is that the works of the flesh are produced by human effort in rebellion against God, while the fruit of the Spirit is produced by God's Spirit working within the believer. Christians don't manufacture these qualities through willpower; they cultivate them by walking in the Spirit, staying connected to Christ (John 15:5), and yielding to God's transforming work.
Topic Overview
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Biblical teaching on self-discipline, resisting temptation, and mastering your desires.
Key Scripture References
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What are the fruits of the Spirit?
The fruits of the Spirit are nine qualities — love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance — produced in believers by the Holy Spirit.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — fully God, who indwells, guides, and empowers believers.
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for serving the church and glorifying God.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Galatians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Galatians on day 320 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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