Galatians 5:22-23 WEL But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Ephesians 5:9 WEL For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
We can learn about God from His character traits. Another list of His character traits is the fruit of the Spirit.
The list:
B1 Love
C1 The Greek word is ἀγάπη agape. It means: It can carry an element of sympathy, but also denotes “to prefer,” especially with reference to the gods. Here is a love that makes distinctions, choosing its objects freely. Hence it is especially the love of a higher for a lower. It is active, not self-seeking love. [Source TDNTa] It is also the love shown by harmony.
C2 Verses:
D1 This is the type that God the Father has for God the Son. John 17:26 NRSV I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
D2 It is the love of loyalty and faithfulness. Romans 8:38-39 NRSV For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
D3 It is the love that has the following actions in public and private. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things.8 Love never falls away,
B2 Joy
C1 The Greek word is χαρά, χαρᾶς. It means the sense of wellbeing, cheerfulness, peace, and contentment. The joy of the Christian man in the darksome time is that, like the lark, he sings in the rain as well as in the sunshine. (T. T. Lynch.) It is different from happiness, which is only a temporary good feeling at some happening.
C2 Verses
D1 God’s joy is something given by God and is not a small amount. John 15:11 NLT I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
D2 It is characteristic of God’s kingdom. That is exciting! Romans 14:17 NIV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
B3 Peace
C1 The Greek word is εἰρήνη eirḗnē. It means the feeling when one is free and not experiencing war, fighting, stress, fear, etc.
C2 Verses
D1 Acts 7:26 WEB The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’
D2 It is the opposite of worry and stress. Philippians 4:6-7 GW Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. 7 Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.
B4 Longsuffering
C1 Definitions
D1 English
E1 Most Bible translations use the word patience instead of longsuffering. There is a difference.
F1 Patience is a general term that has the idea of waiting for what is supposed to happen. This can be an appointment, graduation, marriage, delivering a baby, etc.
F2 Longsuffering is putting up with unpleasant situations. This can be persecution, abuse, trauma, sickness, etc.
F3 God is patient and longsuffering. Personally, I prefer the use of the word longsuffering.
D2 The Greek word is μακροθυμία makrothymía. It means Paul relates God’s forbearance to his wrath (Romans 2:4; 9:22). Already manifest, divine wrath will reach a climax only on the day of wrath (2:5). Longsuffering obviously does not mean irresolution or compliance. It is not swayed by emotion but has the end in view. The delay may allow time for repentance but it also increases the wrath. [Source TDNTa]
C2 Verses
D1 Romans 9:22 EMTV But what if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make known His power, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath having been prepared for destruction,
D2 An action we show towards others. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ASV And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.
D3 An action of God towards Saul/Paul. 1 Timothy 1:16 NKJV 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
B5 Gentleness
C1 The Greek word is χρηστότης chrēstótēs. It means kindness and gentleness, which is a kindness. It is the opposite of the real actions and attitude of a narcissist, sociopath, or psychopath.
C2 Verses
D1 The sinful nature is not naturally gentle, good, and kind. Romans 3:12 NRSV All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, there is not even one.
D2 Compare the contrast. Gentleness/kindness [gk] is the opposite of roughness/severity [rs]. Romans 11:22 NLT Notice how God is both kindgk and severers. He is severers toward those who disobeyed, but kindgk to you if you continue to trust in his kindnessgk. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
B6 Goodness
C1 The Greek word is ἀγαθωσύνη agathōsýnē. It means goodness and kindness. It is a thorough goodness that is intrinsic to the character of God and should be of us. It meets the standard of God’s goodness (Matthew 19:17). It is related to the Greek word agathós/αγαθός.
C2 Verses
D1 It is found in the gospel. Romans 10:15 NLT And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
D2 It is to be found in everything we do in public and private. Ephesians 2:10 NRSV For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
B7 Faith
C1 The Greek word is πίστις pístis. It means trusting with a hint of obedience [TDNTa]. It implies reliability. We see the result being believing in something, someone, and in what’s happening. It is the conviction that something is true.
C2 Verses
D1 Mark 10:51-52 NLT What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked. "My rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!" 52 And Jesus said to him, "Go, for your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
D2 Our life is one of faith in believing God, His word, His actions, His gospel, His message, His ways, His rules for us on what to believe and how to live the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 5:7 ISV For we live by faith, not by sight.
B8 Righteousness
C1 The Greek word is δικαιοσύνη dikaiosýnē. It is related to idea of law thus in right standing with the law. The judge will not find a person guilty. A believer in Jesus Christ is considered legally in alignment with God’s will and pleasing to God [TDNTa]. We cannot make ourselves righteous, it is only by faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is justification by faith.
C2 Verses
D1 Jesus did not need to be baptized, but He wanted to show that He is in complete alignment with God’s law, that He is sinless. Matthew 3:15 NIV Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
D2 The standard is God Himself. God’s laws and rules are righteous. These are the laws of His kingdom. These are the laws that matter. Matthew 6:33 EMTV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
D3 Righteous through Jesus alone: Romans 3:21-26.
B9 Truth
C1 The Greek word is ἀλήθεια alḗtheia. It means truth. Truth is reality, certainty, and genuine. It is based on God’s character, who cannot lie. God’s life, words, deeds, etc. show truth. This is why we must interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense.
C2 Verses
D1 The woman who was healed from the flow of blood. Mark 5:33 EMTV But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. Compare John 4:18.
D2 In contrast, there is no truth in the devil. John 8:44-45 MEV You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
God has the character traits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, righteousness, and truth. So, should we. Think about it today.
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