Yesterday we talked about the heavenly team of God the father, God the son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit of God. We also understood that once we have committed to Jesus and received our “saving” , we are left by Him with the Holy Spirit to change us. This change has also been defined in the Bible and known as the Fruits of the Spirit – meaning the inner and outer effect the Holy Spirit will have on us.
Today let’s look at the Fruit of the Spirit, with their original words in Greek, and see what they actually meant, in their original form. The Greek word καρπός or Karpos that we translate as “fruit” usually means fruit in the sense of edible fruits and vegetables, but it can also be translated as offspring, deed, action, result or outcome.
Galatians 5:22-23
22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love (ἀγὰπη - Strong's #26), joy, peace, longsuffering (μακροθυμὶα), kindness, goodness, faith,
23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Today let’s look at the Fruit of the Spirit, with their original words in Greek, and see what they actually meant, in their original form. The Greek word καρπός or Karpos that we translate as “fruit” usually means fruit in the sense of edible fruits and vegetables, but it can also be translated as offspring, deed, action, result or outcome.
Galatians 5:22-23
22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love (ἀγὰπη - Strong's #26), joy, peace, longsuffering (μακροθυμὶα), kindness, goodness, faith,
23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
There is only ONE Fruit!
What is amazing is that Paul has referred to fruit as in a singular form, but goes onto to name seven outcomes. The word for "fruit" is singular indicating that there is only one fruit of God's Spirit, with many parts making up the whole. That is to say that the one fruit of God's Spirit is comprised of the nine components described here in these verses. Just as there are many elements making up one piece of fruit, so there are many elements working together to make up the one fruit of God's Spirit.
This tells us that one part of the fruit cannot be separated from the others. Now let's look at the different parts of that one fruit.
Love – Agape.
The Bible mentions Love as the first fruit. We all know what Love means and there are difference forms of Love. However the original text defines it as “agape”, a Greek word. Agape’ is perfect love that only God can give. Note the difference as Greek defines love in multiple formats – eros or sexual love, philos or brotherly love. Agape is Godly love or the kind of love God has towards man who actually does not deserve it. According to Vine’s dictionary – “it expresses the deep and constant ‘love’ and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential ‘love’ in them towards the Giver, and a practical 'love’ towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver,”. We are to practise this kind of Love towards one another, because this is the love God has for us. This also indicates that we cannot and do not have to deserve this love from God. He has it for us in every situation. So as we receive from God, we share it with our fellow men and women.
This is the same kind of love Jesus has for us - “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Agape, then leads to Joy.
Joy – Chara (pronounced Khara)
Chara in Greek is noun which describes a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behaviour. Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is God’s gift to believers. Joy is a part of God’s very essence and His Spirit manifests this supernatural joy in His children (Galatians 5:22-note, Acts 13:52,).
Joy is the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. (Percept Austin)
Love – Agape.
The Bible mentions Love as the first fruit. We all know what Love means and there are difference forms of Love. However the original text defines it as “agape”, a Greek word. Agape’ is perfect love that only God can give. Note the difference as Greek defines love in multiple formats – eros or sexual love, philos or brotherly love. Agape is Godly love or the kind of love God has towards man who actually does not deserve it. According to Vine’s dictionary – “it expresses the deep and constant ‘love’ and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential ‘love’ in them towards the Giver, and a practical 'love’ towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver,”. We are to practise this kind of Love towards one another, because this is the love God has for us. This also indicates that we cannot and do not have to deserve this love from God. He has it for us in every situation. So as we receive from God, we share it with our fellow men and women.
This is the same kind of love Jesus has for us - “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Agape, then leads to Joy.
Joy – Chara (pronounced Khara)
Chara in Greek is noun which describes a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behaviour. Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is God’s gift to believers. Joy is a part of God’s very essence and His Spirit manifests this supernatural joy in His children (Galatians 5:22-note, Acts 13:52,).
Joy is the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. (Percept Austin)
Let us internalize this today and discover the meanings of the rests of the parts tomorrow.
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