What does Galatians 5:22 mean?
Paul contrasts "the works of the flesh," such as hatred, jealousy, and selfishness, with "the fruit of the Spirit." He uses the singular word "fruit," suggesting one harvest with many qualities, not a menu to choose from. Love comes first, followed by joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, and faith (faithfulness), with meekness and temperance (self-control) in the next verse. The image of fruit matters: fruit grows naturally from a healthy tree rather than being manufactured by effort. These qualities grow in believers as the Holy Spirit lives in them and they "walk in the Spirit." Together they describe the character of Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 in the King James Version
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Context
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Galatians 5:22 mean?
Paul contrasts "the works of the flesh," such as hatred, jealousy, and selfishness, with "the fruit of the Spirit." He uses the singular word "fruit," suggesting one harvest with many qualities, not a menu to choose from. Love comes first, followed by joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, and faith (faithfulness), with meekness and temperance (self-control) in the next verse. The image of fruit matters: fruit grows naturally from a healthy tree rather than being manufactured by effort. These qualities grow in believers as the Holy Spirit lives in them and they "walk in the Spirit." Together they describe the character of Jesus.
What does Galatians 5:22 say in the KJV?
Galatians 5:22 (KJV) reads: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”