Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: adultery, fornication, immorality, lewdness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envies, murders, drinking bouts, revelries, and the like; which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control--against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. EMTV
The Contrast between the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit.
Paul exhorts the Galatians to lead a truly Christian life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and contrasts the vices of the flesh with the graces of the Spirit. Such exhortations and contrasts are impossible on heathen soil, or in the sphere of natural morality, and reveal the lofty spirituality of the Christian religion.[A Popular Commentary on the NT.]
v.19 Now the works of the flesh - Barnes Notes What the flesh, or what corrupt and unrenewed human nature produces.
Are manifest - Plain, well-known. The world is full of illustrations of what corrupt human nature produces, and as to the existence and nature of those works, no one can be ignorant. It is evident here that the word σὰρξ sarx, “flesh,” is used to denote corrupt human nature, and not merely the body; since many of the vices here enumerated are the passions of the mind or the soul, rather than of the body. Such are “wrath,” “strife,” “heresies,” “envyings,” etc., which cannot be said to have their seat in the body. If the word, therefore, is used to denote human nature, the passage furnishes a sad commentary on its tendency, and on the character of man. It is closely parallel to the declaration of the Saviour in Mat_15:19.
v.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is:
by Joyce Meyerlove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit
by Joyce Meyerlove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:You may not know it, but when you gave your life to Jesus, all the fruit of the Spirit were planted inside you in seed form. Through the Spirit you can experience joy and peace in every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful.
You may not be a naturally patient person, but you can call on the Spirit within to produce patience. If you’re battling unhealthy behaviours, like an addiction or some kind of bad habit, the Holy Spirit can give you the ability to resist the devil and make healthy choices.
The apostle Paul put it this way: When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power.
Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. (Romans 7:5-6 NLT)
On your own, it would be impossible. But when you operate in the Spirit, you have a supernatural ability to overcome. What a precious gift! And the more you draw near to God, praying and reflecting on His Word, the more you will experience the fruit of the Spirit in your life. But where should you start?
See this Video <http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=fruit_of_the_spirit>
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control--against such things there is no law.
1. love G26 ἀγάπη agapē Thayer Definition:
1) brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
Vine’s Dictionary of NT Words
says: “AGAPAO and Agape present the characteristic word of Christianity……... which was completely unknown before in Greek Literature or in the Septuagint. p.702
Vine’s: p.702-703 Agape and Agapao are used in the NT :a) to describe the attitude God has towards His Son. Joh 17:26 And I have made known Thy name to them and will make it known, that the love with which Thou hast loved me may be in them, and that I may be in them."
b) To describe God Attitude towards the Human Race generally. Joh 3:16 For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the Life of Ages.
c) To convey His Will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another. Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give you, to love one another; that as I have loved you, you also may love one another. 1 Thess 3:12; 1 Cor 16:14
d) To express the essential nature of God. 1Jn 4:8 He who is destitute of love has never had any knowledge of God; because God is love. WNT
Love can be known only by the action it prompts. God’s Love is seen in the Gift of His Son.
1Jn 4:9 God's love for us has been manifested in that He has sent His only Son into the world so that we may have Life through Him.
1Jn 4:10 This is love indeed--we did not love God, but He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
It is not drawn out by any excellency in its objects. Rom 5:8 But God gives proof of His love to us in Christ's dying for us while we were still sinners.
Love had its Perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ over-masters us,[constrains us] the conclusion at which we have arrived being this--that One having died for all, His death was their death,
2Co 5:15 and that He died for all in order that the living may no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again.
It expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy subjects, producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.
2. The Fruit of JOY.
Strong’s Joy χαρά G5479 chara khar-ah'
From G5463; cheerfulness, that is, calm delight: - gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).
A. Clark The exultation that arises from a sense of God’s mercy communicated to the soul in the pardon of its iniquities, and the prospect of that eternal glory of which it has the foretaste in the pardon of sin. See.
Rom 5:2 through whom also we have had access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
1Pe 1:8 Him you love, though your eyes have never looked on Him. In Him, though at present you cannot see Him, you nevertheless trust, and triumph with a joy which is unspeakable and is crowned with glory,
Ye rejoice - Ye do rejoice; not merely ye ought to rejoice. It may be said of Christians that they do in fact rejoice; they are happy. The people of the world often suppose that religion makes its professors sad and melancholy. That there are those who have not great comfort in their religion, no one indeed can doubt; but this arises from several causes entirely independent of their religion. Barnes on 1Peter 1:8b
With joy unspeakable - A very strong expression, and yet verified in thousands of cases among young converts, and among those in the maturer days of piety. There are thousands who can say that their happiness when they first had evidence that their sins were forgiven, that the burden of guilt was rolled away, and that they were the children of God, was unspeakable. They had no words to express it, it was so full and so new:
“Tongue can never express.
The sweet comfort and peace
Of a soul in its earliest love.”
And so there have been thousands of mature Christians who can adopt the same language, and who could find no words to express the peace and joy which they have found in the love of Christ, and the hope of heaven.
3. The Fruit of Peace
Strong’s Peace G1515 εἰρήνη eirēnē i-rah'-nay
Probably from a primary verb εἴρω eirō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
Proverbs 14:29-30
…29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. 30A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones. 31He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
John 14:27 New Living Translation (NLT)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—[my] peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
My peace (eirēnēn tēn emēn). RWP This is Christ’s bequest to the disciples before he goes, the shalom of the orient for greeting and parting, used by Jesus in his appearances after the resurrection (Joh_20:19, Joh_20:21, Joh_20:26) as in 2Jo_1:3; 3Jo_1:14, but here and in Joh_16:33 in the sense of spiritual peace such as only Christ can give and which his Incarnation offers to men (Luk_2:14).
Neither let it be fearful (medē deiliatō). Added to the prohibition in Joh_14:1, only N.T. example of deiliaō (rare word in Aristotle, in a papyrus of one condemned to death), common in lxx, like palpitating of the heart (from deilos).
eirēnē Joy Thayer Definition:
1) a state of national tranquillity
1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4) of the Messiah’s peace
4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)
5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.
Application.
1. Here we are looking at the Fruit of the Spirit which is Peace - heart and mind peace.
2. Because the word for Peace in Greek, eirene come from the primary verb εἴρω eirō (to join) peace has a lot to do with united or joined heart. It is a heart without any chism which is at harmony.
4. The Fruit of Longsuffering.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Longsuffering G3115 μακροθυμία makrothumia
Thayer Definition:
1) patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance
2) patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs
Dictionary “having or showing patience in spite of troubles, esp. those caused by other people.: eg. "his long-suffering wife".
IT IS THE QUALITY OF SELF-RESTRAINT IN THE FACE OF PROVOCATION WHICH DOES NOT HASTILY RETALIATE OR PROMPTLY PUNISH; IT IS THE OPPOSITE OF ANGER.Vine’s Dictionary of NT Greek Words
God’s Patience with us
Rom 2:4 Or is it that you think slightingly of His infinite goodness, forbearance and patience, unaware that the goodness of God is gently drawing you to repentance?
1Pe 3:20 who in ancient times had been disobedient, while God's longsuffering was patiently waiting in the days of Noah during the building of the Ark, in which a few persons--eight in number--were brought safely through the water.
Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. It shows no despondency but exhibits hope
1Th 1:3 For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father;
5. The Fruit of Kindness
Graciousness or kindness G5544 χρηστότης chrēstotēs
Thayer Definition:
1) moral goodness, integrity
2) benignity, kindness
2Co 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves as God's servants, in much patience, in troubles, in emergencies, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 6:6 in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
2Co 6:7 in the Word of Truth, in the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8 through glory and dishonor, through evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true;
2Co 6:9 as unknown and yet well known; as dying and, behold, we live; as chastened and not killed;
By kindness - see the note, 1Co_13:4. By gentleness of manner, of temper, and of spirit. By endeavoring to evince this spirit to all, whatever may be their treatment of us, and whatever may be our provocations. Paul felt that if a minister would do good he must be kind, and gentle to all.
1Co 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love knows neither envy nor jealousy. Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful and conceited.
6. The Fruit of Goodness
Goodness G19 ἀγαθωσύνη agathōsunē
Thayer Definition: 1) uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness
Dictionary.com says :good·ness [goo
d-nis] noun
2. moral excellence; virtue.
3. kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.
4. excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship.
Vine’s says ‘it is used in the NT to signify that moral quality which is described by the Greek adjective agathos or morally honourable and pleasing to God’
It is used of Regenerate persons. Rom 15:14 But as to you, brethren, I am convinced-- yes, I Paul am convinced--that, even apart from my teaching, you are already full of goodness of heart, and enriched with complete Christian knowledge, and are also competent to instruct one another.
Eph 5:9 Live and act as sons of Light--for the effect of the Light is seen in every kind of goodness, uprightness and truth-- WNT; [Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), MKJV]
Eph 5:10 and learn in your own experiences what is fully pleasing to the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them;
Christians are to prove or display goodness, Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
They are to cleave to it.Rom 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
They are to do it. Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God's servant for your good.
Gal 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
To work it. Rom 2:10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
Rom 2:11 For God shows no partiality.
They are to imitate all goodness. 3Jn 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
They are to follow after it. 1Th 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
7. The Fruit of Faithfulness.
I came across this blog and guess what I was Impressed at a faithful young woman.
http://freshmodesty.blogspot.com.au/2013_03_01_archive.htm
Faithful (Pistis) Fidelity, faithfulness 2a) the character of one who can be relied on.
Barnes notes on Faith Pistis “On the meaning of the word faith, see the note at Mar_16:16. The word here may be used in the sense of fidelity, and may denote that the Christian will be a faithful man, a man faithful to his word and promises; a man who can be trusted or confided in. It is probable that the word is used in this sense because the object of the apostle is not to speak of the feelings which we have toward God so much as to illustrate the influences of the Spirit in directing and controlling our feelings toward people. True religion makes a man faithful. The Christian is faithful as a man; faithful as a neighbor, friend, father, husband, son. He is faithful to his contracts; faithful to his promises. No man can be a Christian who is not thus faithful, and all pretensions to being under the influences of the Spirit when such fidelity does not exist, are deceitful and vain.”
8. The Fruit of Meekness
Meekness G4236 πρᾳότης praotēs
Thayer Definition: 1) gentleness, mildness, meekness
The meek - Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries. It is neither meanness nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, of long-harbored vengeance. Christ insisted on his right when he said, “If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?” Joh_18:23. Paul asserted his right when he said, “They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves, and fetch us out,” Act_16:37. And yet Christ was the very model of meekness. It was one of his characteristics, “I am meek,” Mat_11:29. So of Paul. No man endured more wrong, or endured it more patiently than he. Yet the Saviour and the apostle were not passionate. They bore all patiently. They did not press their rights through thick and thin, or trample down the rights of others to secure their own.
Meekness is the reception of injuries with a belief that God will vindicate us. “Vengeance is his; he will repay,” Rom_12:19. It little becomes us to take his place, and to do what he has promised to do.
Meekness produces peace. It is proof of true greatness of soul. It comes from a heart too great to be moved by little insults. It looks upon those who offer them with pity. He that is constantly ruffled; that suffers every little insult or injury to throw him off his guard and to raise a storm of passion within, is at the mercy of every mortal that chooses to disturb him. He is like “the troubled sea that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.”Barnes Notes
Num_12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all the men on the face of the earth.)
Psa_22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Jehovah shall praise Him; your heart shall live forever.
Psa_25:9 The meek He will guide in judgment; and the meek He will teach His way.
Psa_37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the overflowing of peace.
Mat_11:29 Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
Mat_21:5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, even a colt the foal of an ass."
See The Meek and Lowly One by C.H.Spurgeon <http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0265.htm>
.Andrew Murray says “It is on His way to the cross that we find the first of these two words written of our Lord Jesus. It is in His sufferings that the meekness of Jesus is specially manifested. Follower of Jesus! who art so ready to take Thy place under the shadow of His cross, there to behold the Lamb slain for thy sins, is it not a precious thought, that there is one part of His work, as the suffering Lamb of God, in which Thou mayest bear His image and be like Him every day? thou canst be meek and gentle even as He was.
Meekness is the opposite of all that is hard or bitter or sharp. It has reference to the disposition which animates us towards our inferiors. "With meekness," ministers must instruct those that oppose themselves, teach and bring back the erring (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25). It expresses our disposition towards superiors: we must "receive the word with meekness" (Jas. 1:21); if the wife is to be in subjection to her husband, it must be in a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Pet. 3). As one of the fruits of the Spirit, meekness ought to characterize all our daily intercourse with fellow-Christians, and extend to all with whom we have to do (Eph. 4:2; Gal. 5:22; Col. 3:12; Tit. 3:2). It is mentioned in Scripture along with humility, because that is the inward disposition concerning oneself, out of which meekness towards others springs.
Esther my wife says, “Meekness is strength under restraint.” This is what Jesus was and what He wants of us too.
9. The Fruit of Self-Control.
Self-control or “temperance” can be simply defined as the mastery of oneself, the capacity of individuals to so restrain their own emotions, desires, and impulses that they can serve others. The lack of such control in our culture, be it related to chemical abuse, overeating, or a host of other unhealthy behaviors, should concern every Christian, indeed every congregation of believers who wish to be a lighthouse of God’s grace to those who are “out of control.”
Self-control G1466 ἐγκράτεια egkrateia Thayer Definition:
1) self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites)
The fruit of the Spirit is the change in our character that comes about because of the Holy Spirit's work in us. We do not become a Christian on our own, and we cannot grow on our own.Philippians 2:13says that "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Every good thing we do is the fruit of the Spirit's work in our lives.
Self-control (“temperance” in the KJV) is, of course, the ability to control oneself. It involves moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to our baser desires and fleshly lusts.
One of the proofs of God’s working in our lives is the ability to control our own thoughts, words, and actions.
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