5:22 fruit. Note that “fruit” is singular. There are not nine different fruits of the Spirit, but rather one ninefold fruit of the Spirit. These attributes should characterize all who walk in the Spirit, because He produces that fruit in their lives. In fact, this listing seems practically to define the nature of Christ! Christians, therefore, do not need the constraints of the law to make them possess these characteristics (Galatians 5:23), for they are the fruit borne by the indwelling Spirit.

5:22 Spirit. It is noteworthy that the “power” of the Spirit, as promised in Acts 1:8, is best manifest in the fruit of the Spirit. Consider the following:

(1) Love: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).

(2) Joy: and (3) Peace: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).

(4) Longsuffering: “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11).

(5) Gentleness: (literally kindness): “…by kindness, by the Holy Ghost,…by the power of God,…” (II Corinthians 6:6-7).

(6)     Goodness: “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9).

(7)     Faith (or better, faithfulness): “That He would grant you…to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith,…according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:16-17,20).

(8) Meekness: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Corinthians 12:9).

(9) Temperance (or self-control): God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power, . . and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7).