Fruit of the Spirit

Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit: Greek Definitions, Verses & Life Application

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
-Galatians 5:22-23

 

In the Bible, we read that we can judge a person or a thing by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33-37) It’s so important that we not only understand the Fruit of the Spirit, but that we also bear it out in our lives. With prayer and honest reflection, let’s look at what the Bible says about the Fruit of the Spirit. We’ll examine the English and Greek meanings (since this portion of Scripture was originally written in Greek), explore the Biblical definitions, and look at how each is used in Scripture. We’ll also reflect on what demonstrating each particular fruit looks like in our daily lives.

Love / Agapē

Definition: Love, affection, goodwill, benevolence, brotherly love
Example: Romans 5:8 – But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Showing the Fruit: As we grow in the fruit of the Spirit, we grow to be more like Him, loving what He loves (Ephesians 5:1).

Joy / Chara

Definition: Cheerfulness, calm delight — gladness
Example: Matthew 28:7–8 – “Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
Showing the Fruit: As the Spirit matures us, we will grow in the joy of the Lord, which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Peace / Eirēnē

Definition: Completeness, rest, quietness, harmony, tranquility, salvation
Examples:
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Philippians 4:6–7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Showing the Fruit: As we grow in Christ, we become more complete and learn to rest in His peace—peace that is beyond our understanding.

Patience / Makrothymia

Definition: Longsuffering, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance
Example: Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Showing the Fruit: As we grow in the Lord, we also grow in patience, learning to bear with one another in true love.

Kindness / Chrēstotēs

Definition: Moral goodness, integrity, benignity, usefulness, excellence (in character or demeanor) — gentleness
Example: Ephesians 2:7 – …in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Showing the Fruit: God’s work in us shapes us more and more into His image and likeness, enabling us to demonstrate His love and grace through kindness (Genesis 1:26–27; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Goodness / Agathōsynē

Definition: Uprightness of heart and life, kindness, doing good and acting in ways that promote the well-being of others
Example: In Romans 15, Paul encourages the Church in Rome to be like-minded and unified in Christ to the glory of God, abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit, they would also be full of the goodness of God. Romans 15:14 – “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another…”
Showing the Fruit: As we grow in our relationship with God, we naturally become more like Him—letting go of old ways and being renewed to walk uprightly and do what is good (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Faithfulness / Pistis

Definition: Assurance, belief, fidelity
Example: Acts 14:22 – …strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Showing the Fruit: As we grow in the Spirit, our faithfulness to God deepens—evident in our increasing love and obedience to Him.

Gentleness / Prautēs

Definition: Mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness
Example: 1 Peter 3:15–16 – But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Showing the Fruit: As the Spirit matures us, we begin to see others as Christ sees them. We understand that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. We grow more like Christ—wise as serpents and gentle as doves (Ephesians 4:13; Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 10:16).

Self-Control / Egkrateia

Definition: The virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially those that are sensual
Example: 2 Peter 1:5–8 – For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Showing the Fruit: Self-control is the fruit that supports the growth of all the others. With self-control, we allow the Spirit to lead rather than the desires of the flesh. In doing so, God can work in us to bear great fruit, as we choose His perfect ways over our own desires. As we grow, His will becomes our desire, and we find ourselves naturally growing in all the other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

As the Lord works in us, we will continue to grow to be more like Him—bearing the beautiful fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We should pray and examine ourselves honestly to see which fruit we may be lacking. And whatever we lack, He is faithful to provide when we pray and earnestly desire to be more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, and the fruit that we bear through Your Spirit. Help us, Lord—show us any fruit we lack. Father, You are the vine dresser and Your Son Jesus is the Vine. Help us to submit to You in all things, that we as the branches will bear much fruit to the glory and praise of Your holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray, believe, and give thanks. Amen!

Explore our Fruit of the Spirit Collection—faithful reminders designed to encourage you in daily life

Fruit of the Spirit - Oversized Tee
Fruit of the Spirit - Classic Tee
Fruit of the Spirit - Journal
Fruit of the Spirit - Tote Bag
Fruit of the Spirit - Mug