The Bearing of Fruit Christians are expected to walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-17,25-26) Christians are expected to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) These fruits are the positive and practical aspects of Christianity which should never be overlooked in our teaching

The Nature of the Fruit The fruit does not come from self, human wisdom, or society The fruit comes from the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22); this is the fruit of the light (Eph.5:9); the fruit of truth – the gospel - God’s word (Col.1:5-6)

The Nature of the Fruit The fruit is in a cluster, not just one piece of fruit; Christians cannot single out one fruit they like and produce it while neglecting the other fruits

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for God Love - love toward God Gr. ἀγάπη, “love can be known only from the actions it prompts” (Vine, 381) Love toward God (Mt.22:37) is shown by keeping God’s word (Jn.14:15,23,24) It will lead to love toward others (Mt.5:43-44; 22:39; 1 Jn.4:7ff)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for God Joy - joy of being right with God Gr. χαρά, “gladness” Mt.13:44; 25:21,23; Mk.4:16; Lk.2:10- 11; 15:7,10; Ac.8:8; 13:52; Phil.4:4

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for God Peace - peace with God with sin removed Gr. εἰρήνη, “the harmonized relationships between God and man, accomplished through the gospel” (Vine, 464) Lk.1:79; 2:14; Acts 10:36; Rom.5:1; 8:6; Eph.2:14-17; 6:15

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Fellow-Man Longsuffering - patient with mankind Gr. μακροθυμία, “to be long-tempered” (Vine, 463); patient; “the steadfast spirit which will never give in” (Barclay, 196); “Now this is the very opposite of Greek virtue …To the Greek the big man was the man who went all out for vengeance” (Barclay, 197)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Fellow-Man Longsuffering of God (Rom.2:4; 9:22; 1 Pet.3:20; 2 Pet.3:9,15) Longsuffering of Christ (1 Tim.1:16) Longsuffering of OT prophets (Jas.5:10)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Fellow-Man Longsuffering of Paul (2 Cor.6:6; 2 Tim.3:10) Longsuffering of Christians (Gal.5:22; Eph.4:2; Col.1:11; 3:12; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb.6:12)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Fellow-Man Kindness - good (attitude) toward man Gr. χρηστότης, “‘good, gracious, kind’ (of persons) ... ‘goodness of heart’” (Vine, 343) Kindness of God (Rom.2:4; 11:22; Eph.2:7; Tit.3:4)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Fellow-Man Kindness of Paul (2 Cor.6:6) Kindness of Christians (Gal.5:22; Col.3:12)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Fellow-Man Goodness - benevolent deeds toward man Gr. ἀγαθωσύνη, “agathos ... describes that which being ‘good’ in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect” (Vine, 273); generosity Goodness of Christians (Rom.15:14; Gal.5:22; Eph.5:9; 2 Thess.1:11)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Self Faith – trustworthy with self Gr. πίστις, “fidelity; faithfulness; the character of one who can be relied on” (Thayer) Like God (Rom. 3:3), Christians are to be trustworthy, dependable, reliable (Tit. 2:10)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Self Meekness - humbled with self Gr. πραΰτης, “mild, gentle”, “It is the temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting ... Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest” (Vine, 401)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Self Meekness of Christ (2 Cor.10:1; see Mt.11:29 [praos]) Meekness of Paul (1 Cor.4:21) Meekness of Christians (Gal.5:23; 6:1; Eph.4:2; Col.3:12; 1 Tim.6:11; 2 Tim.2:25; Tit.3:2; Jas. 1:21; 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:15)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Self Self-control - in control of self Gr. ἐγκράτεια, “one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites” (Thayer); “from kratos, ‘strength’ ... ‘self-control’ … the various powers bestowed by God upon man are capable of abuse; the right use demands the controlling power of will …” (Vine, 620)

The Variety of the Fruit Fruits Produced for Self In Paul’s preaching (Ac.24:25) In Christians (Gal.5:23; 2 Pet.1:6; see 1 Cor.9:25 [enkratuomai] and Tit.1:8 [enkrates])

Against Such There Is No Law There is no law to restrict or condemn this behavior This is Paul’s way of saying that we will be blessed if we produce the fruit of the Spirit.

The Culture of the Fruit Fruit must be cultivated through planting, watering, fertilizing, spraying, etc. (Lk. 13:6-9) In the same way, the fruit of the Spirit is cultivated through prayer, Bible study, practice, worship, good deeds, association with Christians, etc. Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit?