What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

24 May 2026 is Pentecost Sunday, when Christians recall the importance of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit are the virtues which might be produced within the lifetime of a believer through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is the story …

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

The analogy of the fruit of the Spirit comes from when Jesus said that prophets are recognisable as true or false by their fruit (Matthew 7:15–20). Jesus explained that a healthy tree bears good fruit, but a diseased tree bears bad fruit. By this logic, false teachers produce bad fruit in themselves and in those that follow them.

St Paul picks up the concept when he writes to the church at Galatia (a region now in modern-day Türkiye). St Paul compares the works of the human sinful nature (Galatians 5:19–21) with those of a godly life. He used the term “fruit of the Spirit” to discuss with these attributes, that are evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

Translation History

The list of the fruit of the Spirit first got here into modern English 500 years ago, in 1526, through William Tyndale’s translation which, when rendered in modern spelling, is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance”. This was carried over into the Geneva Bible and into the Authorized (King James) Version.

The list is now best often known as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”, as they’re translated in lots of Bible versions, including the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the English Standard Version (ESV), and the New Living Translation (NLT). There are only slight variations across the various versions of the Bible, except in The Message, which uses descriptions somewhat than words. The Contemporary English Version (CEV) translates it as “God’s Spirit makes us loving, completely happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled”. All these attributes were related to Jesus. The opposite is manifested in toxic behaviour, unpleasantness, an argumentative nature, divisive behaviour, arrogance, and hypocrisy.

Alternative Punctuation

There isn’t any punctuation within the Greek manuscripts from which the New Testament is translated. These are all attributes of affection, so it may be that St Paul meant that the fruit of the Spirit is love and that he then itemises elements of affection. In that case, a greater method to punctuate it may be “the fruit of the Spirit is love:”, where love is followed by a colon which then lists eight characteristics that outline love as “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. In this case, the fruit of the Spirit is love, with eight characteristics of affection.

1. Love

The word love on this list is the Greek ἀγάπη (agapē), which is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love that seeks the most effective for others. The Latin Vulgate had “caritas”, which got here into the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible because the word “charity”, which has the concept of affection in motion. Eugene Peterson translated a more idiomatic version of the Bible called The Message, which renders love as “affection for others”.

In a bit of Scripture often read at weddings, St Paul wrote: “Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn’t envy, it doesn’t boast, it shouldn’t be proud. It doesn’t dishonour others, it shouldn’t be self-seeking, it shouldn’t be easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn’t enjoyment of evil but rejoices with the reality. It all the time protects, all the time trusts, all the time hopes, all the time perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV).

Jesus said we must always even love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). The opposite of affection is hatred, conceit, envy, boastfulness, and pride.

2. Joy

The word joy within the list is the Greek χαρὰ (chara). The Message version calls it “exuberance about life”. In Proverbs 17:22 it says, “A joyful heart is sweet medicine”. Nehemiah said that “the enjoyment of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus’s brother James encourages believers to count it as joy when facing difficulties (James 1:2). St Paul wrote that the dominion of God shouldn’t be about eating and drinking but “righteousness, and peace, and joy within the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17, NRSV). Joy is a deep, abiding sense of gladness, happiness, and contentment. The opposite of joy is sorrow, despair, and negativity. 

3. Peace

The word peace within the list is the Greek εἰρήνη (eirēnē), and the word for peace in Hebrew is shalom. The Message version calls it “serenity”. The word has the sense of absence of conflict but additionally the concept of harmony, tranquillity, and tranquility. The Psalmist tells us to show from evil and do good and to hunt peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14) Jesus, who himself was often known as the Prince of Prince (Isaiah 9:6), said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they can be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Near the tip of his ministry Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I provide you with. I don’t give to you because the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV). St Paul urges people to pursue those things which result in and produce peace, to assist construct one another up (Romans 14:19). Peace is an inner tranquillity and harmony with God and others, even amid difficulties. The opposite of peace is discord, anxiety, and strife. 

4. Patience

The word patience in Greek is μακροθυμία (makrothumia). It was translated as “longsuffering” by William Tyndale which also was kept within the Authorized Version and can be present in the New King James Version (NKJV). It is named “forbearance” within the New International Version (NIV). The Message version calls it “a willingness to follow things”. In the Old Testament Job was the epitome of patience and within the English language we have now the idiom the “patience of Job”. Forbearance emphasises a more energetic and restrained response under provocation, without losing your composure. Patience, longsuffering, and forbearance have the concept of with the ability to endure hardship, or provocation without becoming quick to anger. Patience is linked to endurance (Colossians 1:11)The opposite of patience is impatience, matches of rage and vengefulness.

5. Kindness

The word kindness in Greek is χρηστότης (chrēstotēs). It was translated as “gentleness” by William Tyndale which was kept within the KJV. The Message calls it “a way of compassion in the guts”. Kindness has the concept of fairness and mercy. The Old Testament mentions God’s “unfailing kindness” (e.g. 1 Samuel 20:14 and Jeremiah 31:3). Kindness needs to be done cheerfully and never begrudgingly (Romans 12:8). Kindness is the concept of compassion and consideration toward others. Jesus was known for his compassion. The opposite of kindness is unkindness, harshness, cruelty, and malice.

6. Goodness

The word goodness in Greek is ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsunē). J.B. Phillips and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) prefer “generosity”. Weymouth used the word “benevolence”. In The Message it’s “a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and other people”. Goodness has the concept of ethical integrity and the need to do what is correct. In the Old Testament it’s also called “uprightness of the guts” (e.g. Job 33:3 and Psalm 119:7) In his well-known twenty third Psalm, David sang “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). James wrote that goodness is the harvest that’s produced from the seeds planted by people of peace (James 3:18). The opposite of goodness is evil, immorality, wickedness, prejudice, and hypocrisy.

7. Faithfulness

The word faithfulness in Greek is πίστις (pistis). J.N. Darby and J.B. Phillips preferred “fidelity”. The Jerusalem Bible has “trustfulness”, which is sweet. The Message says that “we discover ourselves involved in loyal commitments”. Faithfulness has the concept of endurance, loyalty, and trustworthiness in relationships. In the Old Testament the faithfulness of God is commonly related to righteousness and justice (e.g. Isaiah 42:3). The opposite of faithfulness is faithlessness, unfaithfulness, untrustworthiness, and betrayal.

8. Gentleness

The word gentleness in Greek is πραΰτης (prautēs). William Tyndale and the Authorized Version and J.N. Darby had “meekness”, the Douay-Rheims had “mildness”, J.B. Phillips had “tolerance”, and the Good News Bible has “humility”. The Message describes it as “not needing to force our way in life”. All these words are elements of gentleness which involves meekness, mildness, tolerance, a humble attitude, humility, and consideration for others. St Paul wrote of “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” in 2 Corinthians 10:1. St Paul wrote to Timothy that we have to be gentle to everyone, and be patient, and meek with those that oppose us (2 Timothy 2:24-5). The opposite of gentleness is harshness, aggression, arrogance, self-righteousness, pride, and intolerance.

9. Self-control

The word self-control in Greek is ἐγκράτεια (enkrateia). William Tyndale had “temperance” which was taken into the Authorized Version. The Message describes it as being “in a position to marshal and direct our energies properly”.

Writing to Timothy, St Paul wrote “For the Spirit God gave us doesn’t make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Self-control is that ability to manage one’s desires, emotions, and behavior. The opposite of self-control is self-indulgence, drunkenness, gluttony, and excess. People without self-control are quick to guage and anger and provides into peer pressure.

Judging by the fruit

Sometimes when Christians disagree over a thorny issue it is tough to know which individuals hold the reality. Jesus helps us here because he said “you shall know them by their fruit” in other words prophets are recognisable as true or false, by their spiritual fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). So somewhat than have a look at the difficulty itself, if a selected theological position causes its adherents to provide behaviour like insults, division, rage, harshness or judgemental condemnation, then it’s possibly not a healthy position to defend. If one other position leads to the fruit of the spirit, then you definitely can simply discern on whom the Spirit of the Lord rests (see Isaiah 11:2, Romans 8:9, and John 14:17).

Conclusion

The fruit of the Spirit represent how God’s love manifests in our likes to create a godly character. In Colossians St Paul says that we must always clothe ourselves “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bear with each other and forgive one another”, and “over all these virtues placed on love, which binds all of them together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).