What are the fruits of the Spirit?
Paul sets two lists side by side in Galatians 5: what the flesh produces, and what the Spirit produces. The nine qualities named here — love, joy, peace and the rest — raise the question of where such things come from, and whether a Christian can manufacture them by trying harder.
Fruit, Not Works
The change of word between the two lists is deliberate. One writer draws attention to what "works" assumes and "fruit" does not:
William J Lowe"Works" suppose effort; the natural man understands this; it expresses his life in the world. But there is no effort connected with the thought of "fruit." No amount of trying would ever get fruit from a tree. If it is in a suitable climate and in a good condition and watered, it must bring forth fruit.
The same contrast shows up in how loud each one is:
F. B. HoleIt is easy to understand the "works." The earth is filled with the noise of them... "Fruit," on the other hand, grows silently, even in nature. In summer, among the orchards, no one is driven to distraction by the noise of ripening fruit. The wonder of its growth happens without a sound. So it is with the fruit of the Spirit. Notice it is "fruit," not "fruits" — because these lovely moral features are thought of as one bunch, nine in number, but all growing from one stem: the Spirit of God.
(Older translations render the last items "gentleness, faith, temperance," where the ESV has "kindness, faithfulness, self-control.")
The Character of Christ
Ask what these nine qualities actually are, and the answer points to a person:
Hamilton SmithFruit is the character of Christ reproduced in the lives of His disciples... These are the very qualities that marked Christ in His path down here, and that called forth the Father's expression of pleasure, for the voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Fruit, then, is not simply preaching and teaching, or activity in different forms of service... but rather the beautiful qualities of Christ seen in the souls that are won.
That warns against measuring fruitfulness by visibility:
Leslie M. GrantNotice the precious and unassuming character of all this fruit. There is no display. Fruit for God is not seen in great public demonstrations... The fruit itself is the quiet, godly virtues of light and love.
Love Comes First
The order of the nine is not random. Love heads the list, and the rest are traced back to it:
The Christian's FriendIf we turn to Galatians 5:22, we find the first fruit of the Spirit is love. All the other fruits grow out of that one. If that is lacking, the rest are only like artificial fruit tied on a tree — it never grew there. Where there is love there is no effort. The next on the list is joy. Our joy will always be in proportion to our love... And so it is with the next, peace. If, in all we do and say and think, we are moved by love, we will enjoy a peace that nothing can disturb.
Inward Before Outward
The first three are toward God; the later ones show themselves toward people. That sequence is not accidental:
J. N. DarbyNotice that the first of these fruits are love, joy, peace. The Spirit will surely produce those practical fruits which show the life of Christ in the sight of men, but the inward fruits, the fruits Godward, come first — the condition of soul needed for producing the others.
No Law Against Them
The verse ends with a strange-sounding clause: against such things there is no law. One writer walks the list and then answers why:
W. W. FeredayAs our souls remain in the divine nature, so we are happy and calm. Things that would otherwise disturb and ruffle our hearts pass by and leave us quite unmoved. Then long-suffering, gentleness, and goodness in all our dealings with others fall into their blessed place. Wrongs are quietly borne, vindictiveness is not allowed... Turning inward again, "faith, meekness and temperance" develop, enabling us to walk trustfully with God, giving that lowly brokenness of spirit which God values, and enabling us to keep all our members well under control. What can the law say to such?
What Kills the Fruit
Trying to grow this fruit by law does the opposite of what is intended:
Hamilton SmithWe may... allow the thought that our being in the favour and grace of God our Father depends upon our own good walk and legal efforts. The results will be twofold. First, we develop a hard and self-righteous character that is proud of itself and jealous of others. Secondly, we will fail to enjoy the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and so lack grace and love, and entirely fail to produce the fruit of the Spirit that displays the character of Christ.
Summary
- One stem. It is fruit, not fruits — nine features hanging together as a single bunch, all drawn from one source, the Spirit of God.
- One life. What that stem produces is the character of Christ reproduced in His people, not religious activity or public display.
- One root. Love is named first and everything else grows out of it; without it the other eight are fruit tied onto a tree that never grew there.
- One order. Love, joy and peace toward God come first, because that inward state is what makes patience and gentleness toward people possible.
- One method. Fruit ripens silently, without effort; legal striving produces a hard, self-righteous character instead — and against the real thing there is nothing the law can say.