Galatians 5 Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study

English Standard Version (ESV):
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

One need only look at the first fruit, love, and realize nearly the entire Bible could be quoted as part of any serious study on the fruit of the Spirit. Being created in the image of God, we as believers mirror His great attribute of love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

So we’ll focus on some major verses to begin our study, and devote more space to listing supporting verses at the bottom of this article.

Love: the first fruit of the Spirit

Let’s begin with God’s promise to the regenerated believer found in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Talk about a powerful gift!

When a believer has love as the focus of his or her daily life, a natural outflowing of the Spirit would include joy. To market love and joy to the world, one could charge a fortune because they’re both priceless. So for the believer, having these two fruit would seem a worthwhile endeavor.

Can we endeavor to achieve these fruit, can we force them or urge them? In our previous article, we asserted that fruit of the Spirit are a natural outflowing manifested by the Spirit. It’s kind of like watching fruit grow: you can stare, push, force all you want, but to no avail because it’s a natural growth you can only watch as it unfolds. You can’t buy fruit of the Spirit, but you can take comfort in believing what God’s Word says about a life abundant for the believer.

Joy for the World

Peace for the Believer

Can we have peace as believers? In a world like this?! Can anyone find peace when you have children to raise, bills to pay, jobs to fulfill, churches to serve?

But our Lord, Himself, gave us this blessing found in John 14:27  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

A major verse found in Romans 5:1  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

We can again reference Romans 15:13 where Paul writes, “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.”

Another major found in 2 Corinthians 13:11  “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

Patience Flows Naturally from the Spirit

“A watched pot never boils.” Emphasis on both the “watched” and the “never” for this application! We can’t force fruit of the Spirit, just like we can’t force an apple to grow. We can only watch the process unfold naturally through the Spirit.

Patience is the most challenging fruit to watch as it manifests itself. What better way to describe the need for patience than with a remedy we all need at numerous points in our lives: Romans 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”

That’s a promise you can take with you on every journey through life’s twists and turns, and the Holy Spirit builds that into every believer.

The most powerful blessing, found in Colossians 1:11  “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”

And of course, that found in James 1:3,4  “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Longsuffering

We can add much on longsuffering as another facet of patience, and its centrality to Christian character, but we’ll only add these verses:
2 Corinthians 6:6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Ephesians 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Colossians 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Kindness

Kindness exemplified by unfeigned love, found in 2 Corinthians 6:6  “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,”

A commandment exemplified by our Savior, found in Colossians 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Goodness

Goodness found in respect of our interactions with our brethren, in Romans 15:14  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

One of the landmark Scriptures of fruit of the Spirit, found in Ephesians 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;).” Very powerful, and it ties so well to the good things we should think about, found in Philippians 4:8!

Faithfulness: Being full of faith in all areas of life

Faithfulness, perhaps the most valued outward sign. But internally, so very important to development in every believer. Faithfulness to God, faithfulness to worship, faithfulness to service, faithfulness to family, faithfulness to daily responsibilities — this one can be all-encompassing!

But how Scripture clearly values this as part of Christian service — for us as believers to be full of faith in all our service to God.

But our faith needs to step on solid ground when we first come to Him as sinners, as found in 1 John 1:9  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

And our Lord’s perfect response to faithfulness, found in Luke 5:20  “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”

Upon this pillar we must stand, in Romans 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Again, in Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

More wondrous beauty found in Galatians 3:9  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

And in Hebrews 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

2 Corinthians 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

And another instruction, in 1Timothy 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Gentleness

Gentleness: Mirroring Christ’s character, in 2 Corinthians 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Perfect instruction, referring to gentle character, found in 2 Timothy 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

More gentle, also, in Titus 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Self-Control and Temperance

2 Peter 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Controlling one’s self means putting pride in check. Tempering a kind response to someone’s rudeness is a perfect example. Forgiveness comes into play here, as well. Heap those firey coals upon your enemy’s head when you forgive them instead of rebutting.

Personal Devotional

Elizabeth Hemen, in her book, Jesus with Skin, writes numerous applications where readers can apply the fruit of the Spirit.

Exercising a good study of Scripture supporting these personality traits of the Spirit is an effective investment toward personal devotional time. You will discover ample areas in your life where such fruit can be applied, and with Bible study the Holy Spirit will reveal areas that may need improvement.

Prayerfully consider devoting personal devotional time to this aspect of Bible study, as the fruit of the Spirit is life abundant for every believer.

While readers may find studying all the fruit a particularly challenging task, Elizabeth dedicates a chapter of personal experience and application to each of the nine fruit. These bite-size morsels offer a great opportunity for self-reflection, and can help even the busiest individual with identifying opportunities and areas of needed improvement in their lives.

Supporting Scripture to this Study

As mentioned above, we could quote most of Scripture in referencing just the love part of the Spirit’s fruit. So here are some major passages pertaining to each of the fruit. Added category for variation between KJV and ESV, on patience and long-suffering.

Verses on Love

Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Verses on Joy

Act 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13 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.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Verses on Peace

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13 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.
Ephedians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Verses on Patience and Long-suffering

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Verses on Kindness and Gentleness

2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
2 Peter 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Timothy 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Titus 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
1 Peter 2:18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Verses on Goodness and Good

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Verses on Faith

Faith is the backbone of the believer’s life in Christ.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Verses on Temperance and Self-control

2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Phlippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Sober:
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
See also verses on Kindness, above.

Verses on Meekness and Meek

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.