Steady

The fruits of the Spirit

Paul lists nine: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. He calls them one “fruit,” singular, grown by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23

Berean Standard Bible

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

King James Version

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

The nine, with another verse for each

  1. Love · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

    Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

  2. Joy · Nehemiah 8:10

    Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

  3. Peace · Philippians 4:7

    And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  4. Patience · Colossians 3:12

    Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

  5. Kindness · Ephesians 4:32

    Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

  6. Goodness · Psalm 23:6

    Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

  7. Faithfulness · Lamentations 3:22–23

    Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

  8. Gentleness · Philippians 4:5

    Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

  9. Self-control · Titus 2:11–12

    For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Questions

How many fruits of the Spirit are there?

Nine, listed in Galatians 5:22–23. The KJV words are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

Is it “fruit” or “fruits” of the Spirit?

Paul writes “the fruit of the Spirit,” singular: one harvest with nine qualities. “Fruits of the Spirit” is the common way people search for it.

What comes before the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians?

The “acts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19–21), which the fruit of the Spirit contrasts with.

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