My Understanding of the Fruit of the Spirit Verse

The fruit of the spirit verse appears twice in the New Testament: Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:8-10.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit verse is made up of the nine attributes.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

When I studied these two verses, a few things struck me.

1. The Word “fruit” is singular

I notice that the word “fruit” is used in the singular form, not the plural form. Nine attributes are listed but they are considered one fruit of the Holy Spirit. I’ve checked other bible translations and “fruit” is singular.

Does it matter?

I think it does. Think about what it means if all nine attributes belong to a single fruit. Wouldn’t it mean that if you are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, you would have all the attributes? Not just one or the other?

I don’t think it means that we have to exhibit all the attributes all the time but they come as a whole package. You can’t have one without the other.

2. What is a fruit

Wikipedia defines fruit broadly as “a structure of a plant that contains its seeds“. A fruit is, therefore, the means by which plants disseminate seeds and propagate themselves.

The manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit is not for our own benefit. They are not our report card to God. I used to think that if I exhibit love, joy, peace, God will be pleased with me. Now I know that I am always accepted and loved by Abba God. He does not love me more because I behave well. He does not love me less when I do not.

The fruit of the Spirit is the means Abba God disseminate and propagate His love and redemption message. When we exhibit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control, men are drawn to the God we follow.

3. Self-control is part of the fruit

I have not fully understood how I bear the fruit of self-control.

Isn’t the idea of self-control about controlling oneself? But the verse is quite clear that self-control is a fruit, not work. It is a mystery. I pray for understanding.

⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: ⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10

Here in Ephesians, the fruit of the Spirit verse is said to be all goodness and righteousness and truth. This is in line with Galatians 5:23, “against such there is no law“.

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. They are all good.