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The Fruit
of the Spirit Our working theme of Galatians: “Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as taught in Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone” fruit of the Spirit (v.22) – this list is an example of the empowering supernatural work of the Holy Spirit as opposed to the impotent nature of the flesh. The supernatural fruit is the consequence of a faith in Jesus (cf. Gal.3:1-3). What is the meaning of the metaphor, “fruit of the Spirit”? (v.22; cf. Isaiah 32:15-16; 45:8; 61:3; Joel 2:18-32; Matthew 3:8,10; 7:17-19; 12:33; 15:13; 21:43; John 15:1-11; Romans 1:13; 6:21,22; 7:4; Eph.5:9,11; Phil.1:11,21-24; Colossians 1:6,10; Hebrews 6:7-8; James 3:17-18) love (v.22) – The best definition of love is 1 Corinthians 13. The best example of love is the life and death of Jesus. Love, joy and peace not only head the list of the fruit of the Spirit but this triad is also found in Romans 5:1-5; 12:9-21; 14:1-15,30-31. “Love…is not something one can do or feel on one’s own. Neither is it to be distorted into its current North American version of “good feelings” toward someone, so that love is turned on its head: instead of self-sacrificially giving oneself for others, it has become identified with what I do or feel for another for the sake of my own fulfillment” (Gordon Fee, God’s Empowering Presence, p.447). “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even
as I have loved
you, that you also love
one another.
“Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8) peace (v.22)
–Peace in the Bible is rooted in the reversal of God’s cursed placed upon
Adam and Eve and creation (Isaiah
11:1-10; 66:25). Biblical peace
is rooted in the most violent act in history and the cross is foundational
for our living at peace with others (cf. Matthew 10:34-39). The fact that we are at peace with God
means that there will be peace within the church and that our relationships
with other Christian will not be characterized by enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, etc. But He was pierced through
for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for
our well-being/PEACE fell upon Him, And
by His scourging we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at
peace with all men” (Romans 12:18) 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the
churches of the saints. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) “They have healed the brokenness of My people
superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.” (Jeremiah
6:14; cf. Jer.8:11) “it is quite possible for the church to be both growing and yet not bearing the fruit of the Spirit. What is happening in many cases is that the church is simply cultivating at the center of its life the seeds that the dominant culture has sown in its midst. As a result, the seeds that the Spirit has sown are all but being choked out, and the fruit that is being brought to harvest has little or no likeness to the Spirit’s fruit. Said another way, the church that is being cultivated in the United States looks suspiciously like the dominant culture rather than being an alternative to it” (Philip Kenneson, Life on the Vine, pp.11f.). patience/forbearance (v.22) – How we respond to others who oppose or distress us; being able to bear up under provocation. God’s forbearance toward us is the basis for our forbearance toward others (Exodus 34:6; 1 Timothy 1:15-16). “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy
and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience; “But we request of you, brethren, that you
appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in
the Lord and give you instruction, kindness (v.22) – the Spiritual empowerment to be generous or helpful to others. Our kindness toward others is an outworking of God’s kindness toward us (Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4). Those who are kind will not bite and devour others (Gal.5:15). “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) goodness (v.22) – “To this end also we pray for you always, that
our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work
of faith with power, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10) faithfulness (v.22) – the supernatural trait of being reliable, dependable, committed. “Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith[fulness] so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” (Titus 2:9-10) gentleness (v.23) – humility and considerateness toward others. Jesus stressed that He is gentle (Matthew 11:25-30; 21:5//Zech.9:9; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:1). “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore
you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been
called, 2 with all humility
and gentleness,
with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) “Your adornment must not be merely
external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4
but let it be the hidden person of
the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in
the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:3-4) self-control (v.23) – the supernatural ability to restrain oneself from the deeds of the flesh and pursue a life-style that is pleasing to God. Self-control is not abstinence (1 Cor.10:31-33; Rom.14:1-23; Col.2:16-23; 1 Tim.4:1-5). “Everyone
who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to
receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Corinthians
9:25) “Now for this very reason also, applying all
diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral
excellence, knowledge, |
