Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
— ESV
Love — ἀγάπη (agápē)
Meaning: Self-sacrificial, unconditional love — the same love God demonstrates toward us.
Usage: Often used for divine love, distinct from philia (friendship) or eros (romantic).
Joy — χαρά (chara)
Meaning: Deep, abiding gladness rooted in grace (charis).
Usage: Comes from recognizing God’s presence and favor, not from circumstances.
Peace — εἰρήνη (eirēnē)
Meaning: Wholeness, harmony, inner tranquility that comes from being reconciled to God.
Usage: Equivalent to Hebrew shalom — completeness, rest, unity.
Patience — μακροθυμία (makrothymia)
Meaning: Long-suffering; endurance under provocation; slow to anger.
Literal: Makros = long, thymos = temper.
Kindness — χρηστότης (chrēstotēs)
Meaning: Moral goodness expressed in acts of compassion and grace.
Usage: A tender concern that acts for others’ benefit.
Goodness — ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsynē)
Meaning: Uprightness of heart and life; moral excellence energized by truth.
Usage: Often describes active goodness — doing what is right even when costly.
Faithfulness — πίστις (pistis)
Meaning: Trustworthiness, reliability, steady loyalty.
Usage: Root word for “faith,” but here meaning faithfulness — consistency and integrity in relationship.
Gentleness — πραΰτης (prautēs)
Meaning: Controlled strength; humility; power under authority.
Literal Picture: A tamed stallion — strong, yet submitted to its master.
Self-Control — ἐγκράτεια (enkrateia)
Meaning: Mastery over one’s desires and impulses; disciplined living.
Usage: From en (“within”) + kratos (“power”) — strength from within.
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Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Greek text references from SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT) via BibleGateway.com.