Fruit Of The Spirit Test? The 192 Top Answers

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that summarizes nine qualities of a person or community that lives in accordance with the Holy Spirit, according to chapter 5 of the Epistle to the Galatians: “Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”[2] The fruit is contrasted with the works of the flesh that immediately precede it in this chapter.

The Catholic Church follows the Latin Vulgate version of Galatians in recognizing twelve fruits: charity (caritas), joy (gaudium), peace (pax), patience (patientia), kindness (benignitas), kindness (bonitas), long-suffering ( longanimitas), mildness (mansuetudo), faith (fides), modesty (modestia), temperance (continentia) and chastity (castitas).[3] This tradition was defended by Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica[4] and reaffirmed in numerous Catholic catechisms, including the Baltimore Catechism, the Penny Catechism and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Thomas Aquinas pointed out that the fruits of the Holy Spirit include certain virtues, such as charity, meekness, faith, chastity, and kindness.[5] Augustine defined virtue as “a good habit conforming to our nature.”[6]

Although discussed as nine attributes of the fruit of the spirit, the original Greek term translated “fruit” is in the singular. Thomas Aquinas explained, “Consequently fruit is mentioned there in the singular, being generally one, though divided into many kinds, spoken of as so many fruits.”[5] Augustine’s Commentary on Galatians 5:25- 26 says, “The apostle did not intend to teach us how many [either works of the flesh or fruits of the Spirit] there are, but to show how the former should be avoided and the latter sought.”[5]

Definitions[edit]

Love (Greek: agape, Latin: caritas) [ edit ]

Agape (love) denotes an invincible benevolence and goodwill that always seeks the highest good for others, regardless of their behavior. It is a love that gives freely without asking for anything in return and that does not consider the value of its object.[7][8] Agape is love of free choice rather than philos, which is accidental love; and it relates to will rather than emotion. Agape describes God’s unconditional love for the world. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:[9]

Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn’t envy, it doesn’t boast, it doesn’t pride itself. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfish, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil, but delights in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always endures. love never fails But where there are prophecies they will cease; where there are tongues, they are stilled; Where knowledge is, it will perish.

According to Strong’s Greek Lexicon, the word ἀγάπη [G26] (transliteration: agapē) means love, i.e. affection or benevolence; especially (plural) a love feast: – (feast of) charity (-able), darling, love.[10]

Pronunciation: ag-ah’-numbers

Part of speech: feminine noun

Root word (etymology): From ἀγαπάω (G25)

Overview of Biblical Usage:

Affection, benevolence, love, benevolence, brotherly love, love feasts

The Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē) occurs 117 times in 106 verses in the NASB Greek Concordance.

Joy (Greek: chara, Latin: gaudium) [ edit ]

The joy referred to here is deeper than mere happiness; it is rooted in God and comes from Him. Because it comes from God, it is calmer and more stable than worldly happiness, which is only emotional and only lasts for a while.

According to Strong’s Greek Lexicon, the Greek word listed in the verse is χαρά (G5479), meaning “joy,” “cheerfulness,” or “fountain of joy.” The Greek χαρά (chara) occurs 59 times in 57 verses in the NASB Greek Concordance.

Original Word: χαρά, ᾶς, ἡ From χαίρω (G5463)

Part of speech: noun, feminine

Transcription: chara

Phonetic spelling: (Khar-ah’)

Joy (noun and verb), happiness, happy, happy:

“Joy, delight” (similar to chairs, “rejoice”) is found frequently in Matthew and Luke, and especially in John, once in Mark (Mar 4:16, RV, “joy”, AV, “happiness”); it is missing in 1 Cor. (although the verb is used three times), but occurs frequently in 2 Cor. before, where the noun is used five times (at 2Cr 7:4, RV, see note below) and the verb eight times, indicating the apostle’s relief compared to the circumstances of 1 Epistle; at Col 1:11, AV, “joy,” RV, “joy.” The word is sometimes used by metonymy for the occasion or cause of “joy,” Lu 2:10 (literally, “I tell you great joy”); in 2Cr 1:15, in some verses, for charis, “benefit”; Phil 4:1, where the readers are called the “joy” of the apostle; thus 1Th 2:19, 20; Hbr 12:2, on the object of Christ’s “joy”; James 1:2, where it relates to falling into trials; perhaps also at Mat 25:21, 23, where some have suggested it specifically designates the circumstances involved in working together in the authority of the Lord. Note: In Hbr 12:11 “joyfully” stands for the phrase meta, “with,” followed by chara, lit., “with joy.” So it says in Hbr 10:34 “joyfully”; in 2Cr 7:4 the noun is used with the middle voice of huperperisseuo, “to become exceedingly more,” and translated “(I overflow) with joy,” RV (AV, “I am exceedingly joyful”).[11]

Peace (Greek: eirene, Latin: pax) [ edit ]

The Greek word εἰρήνη (Strongs G1515) (eirēnē) (transliteration: i-ray’-nay), probably derived from a primary verb εἴρω eírō (to join), means peace (literally or figuratively); implicit prosperity: – one, peace, rest, rest, + set one again.[12]

The word “peace” comes from the Greek word eirene, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of ​​wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul unaffected by external circumstances or stress. The word eirene strongly suggests the rule of order rather than chaos.[13]

The Greek εἰρήνη (eirēnē) occurs 92 times in 86 verses in the Greek Concordance of the KJV. The KJV translates Strong’s G1515 as follows: Peace (89x), One (1x), Calm (1x), Calm (1x). The outline of biblical usage is as follows:

a state of national tranquillity, deliverance from the fury and devastation of war, peace among individuals, i.e. harmony, concord, security, security, prosperity, happiness (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) of the Messianic peace, the Way that leads to the peace (salvation) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul that is certain of its salvation through Christ and therefore fears nothing of God and is content with its earthly lot, whatever the blessed state of pious and righteous people is after death

Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, bringing peace to the hearts of those who yearn for it. He says in John 14:27:[14] “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Do not let your hearts tremble or fear.” At Matthew 5:9 he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”[15]

Patience (Greek: makrothumia, Latin: longanimitas) [ edit ]

In general, the Greek world applied this word to a man who could take revenge but did not. This word is often used in the Greek Scriptures in relation to God and God’s attitude towards people.[16] Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord as “slow to anger and abounding in kindness and faithfulness.”

Patience, which means “long-suffering” or “endurance” in some translations, is defined by Strong in two Greek words, makrothumia and hupomone.

The first pronounced (mak-roth-oo-mee-ah) comes from makros, “long,” and thumos, “temperament.” The word signifies forbearance, forbearance, steadfastness, patient endurance, forbearance. Makrothumia also includes the ability to endure persecution and abuse. It describes a person who has the power to seek revenge but instead exercises restraint. (Strong’s #3115)

The latter, hupomone, (hoop-om-on-ay) is translated as “perseverance”: persistence, perseverance, perseverance, steadfastness, steadfastness, perseverance, patient endurance. The word combines hupo “under” and mone “to stay”. It describes the ability to persevere under difficult circumstances, not with passive complacency, but with a hopeful vigor that actively resists weariness and defeat (Strong’s #5281), with hupomone (Greek ὑπομονή) being understood broader than what would be “as opposed to cowardice or depression”[17]

“With humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love”.[18]

Kindness (Greek: chrestotes, Latin: beignitas) [ edit ]

In Greek, old wine was called “chrestos,” meaning soft or soft.[16] Christ used this word in Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Kindness is acting for the benefit of people, no matter what they do, right, “serviceable, i.e., well serviceable (for what is really needed);” Friendliness that is also useful.”[19]

Strong’s #5544: Kindness is kindness in action, sweetness of mind, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, kindness. The word describes the ability to act for the benefit of those who try your patience. The Holy Spirit removes aggressive qualities from the character of a person under His control. (emphasis added) The word kindness comes from the Greek word chrestotes (khray-stot-ace) which meant to show kindness or be kind to others, and often represented rulers, governors, or people who were kind, mild, and benevolent to their Subjects. Anyone who displayed this trait of Chrestotes was considered compassionate, considerate, sympathetic, humane, kind, or gentle. The apostle Paul uses this word to represent God’s incomprehensible goodness to those who are unsaved (see Romans 11:22;[20] Ephesians 2:7;[21] Titus 3:4[22]). One scholar has noted that the word Chrestotes, when applied to interpersonal relationships, conveys the idea of ​​being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly demanding of everyone else to conform to his own needs and desires, Chrestotes seeks to conform to the needs of those around him when working in a believer. (Sparkling Gems from Greek, Rick Renner)

Kindness means doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help in return. It implies kindness no matter what. We should live “in purity, understanding, patience, and kindness, in the Holy Spirit, and in sincere love, in truthful speech, and in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left hand.”[23]

Kindness (Greek: agathosune, Latin: bonitas) [ edit ]

The state or quality of being good Moral excellence; Virtue; Kindness, kindness, generosity, joy in being good Best of all; beings; Strength; General character recognized in quality or behavior.

Popular English Bibles (e.g. NIV, NASB, NLT) translate the single Greek word chrestotes into two English words: kindness and goodness. “Therefore we also pray for you always, that our God may count you worthy of this calling, and may fill with power all the good pleasures of his goodness, and the work of faith.”[24] “For the fruitage of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.” ,[25] whereby Agathosune is “found only in biblical and ecclesiastical writings, sincerity of heart and life”.[26]

Fidelity (Greek: pistis, Latin: fides) [ edit ]

The root of pistis[27] (“belief”) is peithô,[28] meaning to persuade or to be persuaded, which provides the core meaning of faith as a “divine belief” received from God and never generated by man. It is defined as follows: objective, trustworthy; subjective, trusting: – believe (-ing, -r), faithful (-ly), sure, true.[29]

Greek: πιστός

Transliteration: Pistos

Pronunciation: pē-sto’s

Part of speech: adjective

Root word (etymology): From πείθω

The Greek πιστός (pistos) occurs 67 times in 62 verses in the Greek Concordance of the KJV: faithful (53x), believe (6x), believe (2x), true (2x), faithful (1x), believing (1x), sure (1x).

Outline of Biblical Usage[29] trustworthy, faithful of persons proving faithful in the conduct of business, carrying out orders, or fulfilling official duties, one who has kept a faithful faith, trustworthy, trustable

easily persuaded believer, trusting in the NT someone who trusts in God’s promises someone who is convinced that Jesus rose from the dead someone who is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation

Examples:

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things; your ancient counsels are faithfulness and truth.”[30] “I pray that out of his glorious riches he might strengthen you with power by his Spirit within you, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” [Eph. 3:16 -17]

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describes it thus: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despised his shame, and sat on the cross righteously hand of the throne of God”.[31]

Gentleness (Greek: prautes, Latin: modestia) [ edit ]

Meekness, in Greek prautes, commonly known as meekness, is “a divinely balanced virtue that can only work through faith (cf. [1 Tim 6:11]; [2 Tim 2:22-25]).[32 ]

The New Spirit Filled Life Bible defines gentleness as

“a disposition that is even-tempered, calm, even-tempered, unpretentious, and with passions under control. The word is best translated as ‘gentleness’, not as an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control, one possessed of this quality forgives injuries, corrects mistakes, and controls his own mind well.”

“Brothers and sisters, when someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should gently restore that person.

“Be very humble and gentle; be patient and endure one another in love.” [Eph 4:2]

Self-control (Greek: enkrateia, Latin: continentia) [ edit ]

The Greek word used in Galatians 5:23 is enkrateia, meaning “strong, commanding, able to control one’s thoughts and actions.”[33]

We also read: “…strive to add kindness to your faith, and kindness, knowledge, and knowledge, self-control, and self-control, perseverance, and perseverance, godliness, and godliness, affection for one another, and love for one another.”[2 Pet :5-7]

See also[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

quotes[edit]

The house was quiet as I opened my Bible and began reading Galatians chapter 5. Words of guidance and wisdom fell upon me. Don’t focus on the meat. Use the fruits of the spirit. And then the closing sentences: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep up with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoke and envy one another” (Galatians 5:25). Suddenly I was stopped. Impressed by these words, I read them again. As Christians, we are not called to be haughty. We are not called to promote arguments. And we are definitely not meant to look at those around us and wish that our lives were more like those of our neighbors and friends. At a time when mommy wars parents often seem to draw squabbles and anonymous online comments spread hatred and hatred as we spend our money looking for what we’re sure others must have we might take a look in a new direction.

There is another way of handling our life. But can we find this way?

Perhaps the answer is found earlier in this passage. The fruits of the Spirit may be so familiar to us that we skip them as we read this passage. But if we focused on growing those fruits in our lives, maybe it would be easier to avoid common frustrations.

What would that election look like today?

As we raise our children, we can shower them with the same LOVE that God gave us.

We can seek true JOY in something that lasts far longer than the latest we wish for now.

We can promote PEACE and allow our words to communicate as our children navigate the crooked paths of youth.

We can choose PATIENCE, even if the choice is difficult, and give our children a sympathetic ear that wants to understand.

We can be an example of kindness as we go through our day, to those closest to us and to those who are simply in need.

We can turn away from the opportunity to be sharp-tongued and offer GOOD things for God’s sake.

We can dig our toes into the truth of Scripture and let it ignite the fires of LOYALTY for us and our families.

We can choose to let our responses to one another, and especially to our children, be words of gentleness even when our day has been too long.

And we can take a breath and use SELF CONTROL even when (especially when) our emotions are getting out of hand.

All these gifts are given to us voluntarily, not to seek but to receive as gifts. These simple fruits are already ours. They bring us what we need to live faithfully as God desires. And as we unpack each day, the things we want to avoid become things we no longer seek. We will find ourselves “in step with the Spirit” in a new way. There will be no place to be conceited, argumentative and jealous because our lives will be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. Our lives will overflow with the very things that God most desires for us. And our words, our decisions, our daily actions will be influenced in ways that our children will see and emulate.

They will grow up unwrapping the same gifts and following this same path for many generations to come.

prayer

Lord, help our family to be filled with the power of your Holy Spirit. Bring forth your good fruits in our lives, so that our home may be a place of blessing for all who enter. In Jesus’ name, amen.

fruit in mythology

Topic overview

Fruit appears in myths around the world. It is often a symbol of abundance, associated with goddesses of fertility, abundance and harvest. Sometimes, however, fruit represents earthly pleasures, overindulgence, and temptation. Certain types of fruit have acquired their own symbolic importance in the myths and legends of different cultures.

Big Myths

Many of the most important fruits in world mythology, such as the apple, have different meanings in different cultures. Sometimes the same fruit can represent different things in different myths within the same culture. This section examines each of the main fruits of mythology and provides examples from the myths of different cultures.

Apple Apples are full of symbolic meanings and mythical associations. In China, they stand for peace and apple blossoms are a symbol of woman’s beauty. In other traditions they can signify wisdom, joy, fertility and youthfulness.

Apples play an important role in several Greek myths. Hera (pronounced HAIR-uh), the Queen of the Gods, possessed some prized apple trees that she received as a wedding gift from Gaia (pronounced GAY-uh), the Earth Mother. Tended by the Hesperides (pronounced hee-SPER-uh-deez), the daughters of the evening, and guarded by a fierce dragon, these trees grew in a garden somewhere far to the west. Their apples were golden, tasted like honey, and had magical powers. They could heal the sick or injured, they would regenerate when eaten, and when thrown they would always hit their target and then return to the thrower’s hand.

For the eleventh of his twelve great labors, the hero Herakles (pronounced HAIR-uh-kleez), also known as Hercules, had to obtain some of these apples. After a long, difficult journey across North Africa, he enlisted the help of the giant Atlas (pronounced AT-luhs), who entered the garden, strangled the dragon, and received the fruit. Heracles took the apples to Greece, but Athena (pronounced uh-THEE-nuh) brought them back to the Hesperides.

A golden apple stolen from Hera’s garden caused the Trojan War, one of the key events in Greek mythology. Eris (pronounced EER-iss), the goddess of discord or conflict, was angry at not being among the gods asked to attend a wedding feast. Arriving uninvited, she tossed one of the apples labeled “For the Fairest” onto a table at the feast. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite (pronounced af-ro-DYE-tee) each assumed the apple was meant for them. They asked Paris (pronounced PAIR-iss), a prince of Troy, to settle the matter, and he awarded the apple to Aphrodite. In revenge, Hera and Athena supported the Greeks in the war that led to the fall of Troy. People still use the phrase “apple of discord” to refer to something that provokes an argument.

Apples are a symbol of eternal youth in Norse mythology. Legend has it that the goddess Idun (pronounced EE-thoon) guarded the magical golden apples that kept the gods young. But after the trickster god Loki (pronounced LOH-kee) had Idun abducted to the realm of giants, the gods began to grow old and gray. They forced Loki to retake Idun from the giants. Celtic mythology also mentions apples as the fruit of the gods and immortality, or the ability to live forever. Today the apple is often associated with an episode of temptation described in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, lived in a garden paradise called Eden (pronounced EED-n). God forbade them to eat the fruit of a tree that grew in the garden—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When they yielded to temptation and tasted the fruit, God cast them out of the Garden of Eden for breaking His commandment. Many people think of the forbidden fruit as an apple because of how it has been depicted in European artwork for centuries. However, the apple was unknown in the Middle East when the Bible was written there. The biblical description of the tree in the Garden of Eden does not name a specific fruit, and in some traditions the forbidden fruit has been presented as a fig, pear, or pomegranate.

The Cornucopia

The cornucopia (pronounced korn-uh-KOH-pee-uh), a curved horn with fruit and flowers flowing from its open mouth, is a common symbol of earth abundance and bounty. The origin of the symbol lies in Greek mythology. Legend has it that Zeus (pronounced ZOOS), the king of the gods, was raised by a foster mother named Amalthaea (pronounced am-uhl-THEE-uh), who was either a goat or a goddess who tended a goat. Anyway, she fed the infant god goat’s milk. One day one of the goat’s horns broke off. Amalthaea filled the horn with fruit and flowers and gave it to Zeus, who mercifully placed it in the sky where it became a constellation.

Breadfruit Breadfruit – a round fruit that can be baked and eaten like bread – is an important staple in Polynesia. Myths about the origin of breadfruit can be found on several Polynesian islands. A story told in Hawaii takes place during a famine. A man named Ulu (pronounced OO-loo) who died in the famine was buried next to a spring. During the night, his family heard the rustling of flowers and leaves falling to the ground. Next came a thumping sound of falling fruit. In the morning, people found a breadfruit tree growing near the spring, and the fruits of the tree saved them from famine.

Peach Peaches can symbolize immortality or fertility. A hero of Japanese folklore, Momotaro, is said to have been sent from heaven to earth in a giant peach that was propelled down a river by an old woman. In some versions of the myth, the old woman and her husband eat pieces of peach and grow younger. A Chinese legend tells of the goddess Xi Wang Mu (pronounced shee wang MOO) in whose garden the peaches of immortality were gathered by the gods every six thousand years. It was widely believed that peaches prolong the life of those who ate them.

Coconut People in tropical regions consume the milk and flesh of the coconut and use the oil and empty shells for various purposes. According to Tahitian legend, the first coconut came from the head of an eel named Tuna (pronounced TOO-nuh). When the moon goddess Hina (pronounced HEE-nuh) fell in love with the eel, her brother Maui (pronounced MAH-wee) killed it and told her to stick his head in the ground. However, Hina left the head next to a creek and forgot about it. Remembering Maui’s instructions and returning to look for the head, she found that it had grown into a coconut tree.

Fig Native to the Mediterranean region, the fig tree appears in some images of the Garden of Eden. After eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve covered their nakedness with leaves usually said to come from the fig tree, and Islamic tradition mentions two forbidden trees in Eden – a fig tree and an olive tree. In Greek and Roman mythology, figs are sometimes associated with Dionysus (pronounced Dye-uh-NYE-suhs), the god of wine and drunkenness, and Priapus (pronounced pry-AY-puhs), a satyr (half human, half goat). ), which symbolized sexual desire.

The fig tree has a sacred meaning for Buddhists. According to Buddhist legend, the religion’s founder, Siddhartha Gautama (pronounced see-DAHR-tuh GAW-tuh-muh), or the Buddha, one day in 528 B.C. attained enlightenment while seated under a Bo tree, a type of fig tree. The Bo or Bodhi tree remains a symbol of enlightenment.

Pear In Greek and Roman mythology, pears are sacred to three goddesses: Hera, Aphrodite and Pomona (pronounced phew-MOH-nuh), an Italian goddess of gardens and harvests.

The ancient Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality. (Pear trees live long.) In Chinese, the word li means both “pear” and “separation,” and for this reason tradition says that friends and lovers should not share pears among themselves to avoid separation.

Plum In East Asia, the blossom of the plum tree is even more important than the fruit. The flowers appear early in spring, before the trees have foliage, and are a symbol of a young woman’s early beauty. The quilt on a bridal bed is sometimes referred to as a plum blossom quilt. The flower has another meaning. Its five petals represent the five traditional Chinese gods of fortune.

Pomegranate For thousands of years, the pomegranate, a juicy red fruit with many seeds, has been a source of food and herbal medicine in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean. Its many seeds made it a symbol of fertility, because many more could come from one fruit. To the Romans, the pomegranate signified marriage, and brides wore wreaths of pomegranate sprigs.

Pomegranate seeds appear in Greek myth of the goddess Demeter (pronounced di-MEE-ter), protector of grain, crops and the bounty of the earth, and her daughter Persephone (pronounced per-SEF-uh-nee). One day Persephone was plucking flowers when Hades (HAY-deez), the king of the underworld or land of the dead, seized them and carried them to his dark realm to be his bride. Sadly, Demeter refused to grow crops. All of humanity would have starved if Zeus had not ordered Hades to set Persephone free. Hades let her go, but first he persuaded her to eat some pomegranate seeds. Once Persephone ate the food of the underworld, she could never leave this place. She was destined to spend part of each year there. During these months the world becomes barren, but when Persephone returns to her mother, the earth produces flowers, fruit, and grain again.

Strawberry Strawberries have special meaning for the Seneca people of the Northeastern United States. Since strawberries are the first fruit of the year to ripen, they are associated with spring and rebirth. The Seneca also say that strawberries grow on the way to heaven and that they can bring good health.

Mythological fruit in context

Although there are many different types of fruit around the world, many myths surround a handful of different fruits. This may be because the areas of cultivation for these fruits overlapped with the larger ancient societies known for documenting their beliefs, such as B. the Greeks. Fruits like bananas and oranges can be just as important to other, smaller groups whose myths haven’t been studied to the same level. This preference for certain fruits may also represent the cultural and dietary importance of some fruits over other fruits.

Mythological fruits in art, literature and everyday life

Through art and tradition, many fruits have retained their mythical meaning and symbolism into modern times. The apple is probably the most important fruit in mythological art and literature, but this can be explained at least in part by the use of the word “apple” in earlier centuries. The word has been used as a general term for many types of fruit, often simply referring to “fruit”.

The apple plays a significant role in the fairy tale of Snow White, particularly in the 1937 Disney animated adaptation Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in which an evil queen disguised as an old woman seduces Snow White with a beautiful red apple posing as a true turns out poisoned. Apples still signify knowledge and are a traditional gift given to teachers on the first day of the school year. New York City is nicknamed “The Big Apple”. How it got its nickname is debatable, but the general idea is that the apple symbolizes opportunity and abundance.

Other fruits have also shaped modern culture. In Asia, the word “peach” is often used colloquially for a young woman or bride, reflecting the fruit’s association with youth and life. Pomegranates are often broken on the floor at Greek weddings to bring good luck to the couple.

Read, write, think, discuss

Choose a fruit not mentioned above. (Oranges, bananas, and cherries are some possible suggestions, but you can choose any fruit you like.) In which regions of the world does your chosen fruit grow? Which cultures are settled in these regions? Can you find any myths about your fruit in any of these cultures? Provide a brief synopsis of at least one myth for your fruit.

SEE ALSO Adam and Eve; Atalanta; demeter; flowers in mythology; Persephone

http://www.catholicireland.net/the-holy-spirit-2/

wisdom

In the Hebrew Scriptures, God offered Solomon any gift he could desire. He chose wisdom. The gift is about the opportunity to see things as God sees them. It is the gift of looking at life from a different perspective – the perspective of faith. It is the possibility of knowing how to live a good life and striving for it. It’s about listening to the voice of the Spirit in our hearts and responding to those promptings.

understanding

It’s easy to learn facts and figures, dates and places. The gift of understanding is the ability to make sense of what we learn through wisdom. On the way to Emmaus, the disciples met the risen Jesus. After Jesus explained everything that had happened in Jerusalem and why they were depressed, Jesus set about explaining everything the scriptures said about himself. The disciples knew the facts, Jesus helped them understand and understand those facts.

correct judgement

The world young people live in today calls for more than this part of the gift of the Holy Ghost

one more thing. You will be bombarded with countless choices and enticing alternatives. The gift of right judgment is the ability to make the right choices in life according to Christian values, and sometimes despite what our friends, society, or culture would have them believe is the right choice.

courage

Close to the previous part of the gift of the Holy Spirit comes the courage to deal with the consequences of Right Judgment. The gift of courage is the opportunity to make the right choice, although we would rather go with the crowd or follow the latest trends, current fashions and the will of the peer group. Young people today may not be called to martyrdom as was the case in the early Christian community, but it can be exceedingly difficult to stand up for your faith or to speak out against something you think is wrong.

knowledge

While not dissimilar to wisdom and understanding, the gift of Knowledge helps us learn about our faith and the world. We often speak of making an informed decision about something, and the Holy Ghost helps us gain that knowledge. The gift requires a contribution on our part – we cannot know the world only through divine inspiration. It takes effort on our part, but we have the opportunity of the Holy Spirit’s help.

awe

Traditionally, this part of the gift of the Holy Spirit is about how we act religiously; blessing us as we pass a church, knee bends, a sense of awe as we go to Holy Communion. It’s still all of that, but it can mean so much more. Interpreting this gift as reverence for all of God’s creation, recognizing the possibility of respect and reverence for the environment, recognizing the reverence due to every person we meet who is like us children of God and “a Temple of the Holy Spirit”. .

Wonder and wonder in God’s presence

Traditionally, this was the part of the gift known as the fear of God. Wonder and Awe in God’s Presence sums it up better. It is the gift that helps us see the work of God in ordinary and extraordinary ways. It is a recognition of the power of God working through our lives, through the lives of others around us, through the church and through creation. “Look at the lilies of the valley as they grow; they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like any of them.” (Matthew 6:28-29)

The fruit of the Holy Spirit

An image often used with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit is that of the tree. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the roots of the tree, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are the fruits of the tree. When we let ourselves be led by the Spirit and are open to God’s gifts, the fruits of the Holy Spirit will be visible in our lives, and in this way people will see that the Holy Spirit is in our life, in our work, and in our ways and Wise works as practical life in dealing with others and in serving the community of the Church from the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us at Confirmation. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5:22 as the virtues of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Paul sees the fruit of the Holy Spirit as a counterbalance to various vices. The gifts and fruits of the Spirit are also alluded to in 2 Corinthians 6:6, Colossians 3:12-15, and Ephesians 4:2, 5:9. In the Alive-O program, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are described as follows:

Love – the spirit lives!

Joy – the spirit dances!

Peace – the mind rests!

Patience – the spirit is waiting!

Kindness – the spirit gives!

My goodness – the spirit moves!

Gentleness – the mind acts!

Loyalty – the spirit resides!

Self-control – the spirit smiles!

Here are some of the many scriptures that can be associated with the fruit of the Holy Spirit:

Love:

“Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; Love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it takes no offense and bears no grudges. Love does not delight in other people’s sins, but in the truth; it is always ready to apologize, trust, hope and endure whatever comes. Love never ends.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Joy:

“With gratitude in the heart, God sings psalms, hymns, and inspired songs; and say or do nothing except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:16-17

Peace:

“I leave peace with you; I give my peace to you; not as the world gives, I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Patience:

“No reason to worry; but if you need anything, pray for it, ask God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can comprehend, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6

Friendliness:

“You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you shall be clothed with sincere compassion, with kindness and humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Quality:

“Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Then my favor will shine upon you like the morning sun.” Isaiah 58:7-8

Loyalty:

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their words. May they all be one Father, may they be one in us as you are in me and I am in you, that the world may believe it was you who sent me.” John 17:20-21

Gentleness:

“I, the prisoner of the Lord, beg you to live a life worthy of your calling. Bear with one another mercifully, with total selflessness, gentleness, and patience. Do all you can to keep the unity of the Spirit through the peace that binds you together.” Ephesians 4:1-2

self control:

“Finally fill your mind with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honor, and everything that can be thought virtuous or praiseworthy.” Philippians 4:8

Galatians 5:22-23 says:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit

When you think of the word fruit, you probably think of something like an apple or a banana, right? Now, when Paul speaks of the “fruit of the Spirit,” he’s not referring to a piece of fruit that you might eat with your lunch. What Paul has in mind here is what comes out of a person who has been filled with the Holy Spirit. The word “fruit” refers to the product or result of something. It is what comes from a tree or plant, like an apple from an apple tree. In Paul’s case, however, it is what comes from a person. So when Paul speaks of “the fruit of the Spirit,” he is referring to the fruit that comes from the Spirit of God.

When we follow Jesus and believe in the power of what He did for us on the cross, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God (just like God the Father and Jesus the Son) and he lives in us. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we produce the fruit of the Spirit. Before Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit, he is talking about the fruit that comes from our sin. Our sin brings things like anger, greed, jealousy and other not so nice things – the worst fruits! Without the Spirit of God, this is the kind of fruit that sin produces in our lives.

But now, as we follow Christ, the Spirit is given to us. The fruit that comes out of our life is then much better. Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” This is the best kind of fruit. Note that “fruit” is the word used here, not “fruits”. Every attribute is given to every Christian; God doesn’t choose which ones we get. It’s not that we’re only allowed to bring forth peace and love, but not joy and goodness. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are given the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as a whole package. All of these are the fruits of a life lived for Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit.

Walk with the Holy Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit are essentially nine visible virtues that Paul lists in Galatians 5 that should be shown in a person walking with Jesus. As we follow Christ, believing in Him and His saving work on the Cross by grace through faith, we are united to Christ and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s rhetoric in Galatians 5 is that those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and now live their lives according to Christ and not according to sin will look markedly different from those who do not. A life filled with the Spirit of God will produce sweet fruit that draws people to God, not sour fruit that turns people away.

In Galatians 5, Paul begins his argument by stating the characteristics that sin creates in our lives. When we live according to sin and according to the flesh, qualities like greed, envy, strife, malice, and anger come out of us. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, tantrums, rivalries, disagreements, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and such things. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

He warns them that those who bear this sour and bad fruit will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is not saying that once you fall into a fit of anger or envy, you will automatically be shut out of the kingdom of God. Rather, he is pointing out that when your life is marked by these things (they are not just occasional occurrences), it is evidence that you are living your life according to the flesh and not the Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 Paul again points out that although there is still jealousy and contention among those in the church, they still live according to the flesh and not the Spirit. In Romans 6-8 Paul continually contrasts the idea that we used to live by the flesh and according to sin, but now we live by the Spirit and according to Christ. The fruit that comes from those who live after the flesh will look markedly different than that which comes from those who are led by the Spirit and who live after Christ. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Paul tells the Corinthians to be the fragrance of Christ to all around them; he prays that the scent of her knowledge and love for him will spread far and wide.

The Nine Virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit

Although we have established that Paul is referring to one fruit and not multiple fruits, it is still important to look closely at each characteristic Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23[1].

love

Love is the first trait to be listed. It should come as no surprise that Paul lists it first, since in his other epistles he emphasizes the primacy of love (1 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 3:14). As people who have experienced the love of God through the grace of Christ, we too should love others. The sacrificial love of Christ is the kind of love to which we are called as Christians; Love that finds its source in God alone. “Love is a spiritual anchor of truth in the relationship to God and to the neighbor”[2]. As Spirit-filled we are called to show this unselfish love to all people.

joy

The word joy occurs 60 times in the New Testament. We often associate joy with happiness, and that’s not wrong, but joy differs from happiness because it doesn’t depend on external circumstances. We are to find joy in the midst of the most difficult circumstances of life (Philippians 4:4). The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Because of the joy that was set before him, Christ took up the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). “The Bible requires joy as an enduring possession and an enduring state of mind for the saint” [3]. The joy that allowed Paul to rejoice in the midst of suffering comes from the Lord; it is the joy “in” or “in” the Holy Spirit and is elicited by faith (Romans 15:13).

Peace

The peace of God is something that is often beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7). Biblical peace is joyful in that it is not dependent on external conditions or circumstances. The word “peace” comes from the Hebrew word “shalom”. Shalom refers to much more than amnesty between people. Cornelius Plantinga writes [4]:

In the Bible, shalom signifies universal prosperity, wholeness, and joy—a rich state in which natural needs are met and natural gifts are fruitfully employed, a state that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and the world welcomes creatures, in which he finds pleasure. In other words, Shalom is the way things should be.

We now have peace with God through justification (Romans 5:1), and peace is a state of stillness that comes from seeking God. The Lord gives us peace (John 14:27) and the peace He gives us helps to restore and heal broken relationships.

patience

The Greek word used here is difficult to translate into English, and so “patience” is used in various translations as opposed to “long-suffering.” The Greek word used has two primary definitions.

A state of calm while waiting for an outcome, patience, perseverance, steadfastness.

A state of being able to endure provocation, forbearance, patience towards others. [5]

The definition considered here is probably the second. Paul encourages Christians to remain strong and steadfast in the midst of trials and tribulations (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11).

kindness (gentleness)

The fruit of kindness is our ability to show empathy for those in need or hurt. Kindness is not directly related to niceness, although we often think the two are synonymous. To be nice means to be pleasant. Being kind refers to acting for the benefit of another person. Those who are filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit act for the benefit of others, whether in worship or thanksgiving, because they have experienced the goodness of God through Jesus Christ. Kindness is the opposite of selfishness. Selfishness seeks its own power and good, while kindness seeks the good of others even at the expense of our own power. (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).

quality

Kindness and kindness are often used hand-in-hand and are very closely related. The virtue of kindness has an active element; it is a positive moral quality, particularly characterized by an interest in the well-being of others. The word Agathosune used is found only in biblical and ecclesiastical writings and has the meaning “sincerity of heart and life” [6]. Kindness models Christ’s acts of love, humility, and forgiveness, and enables us to show integrity, honesty, and compassion toward others.

loyalty

Loyalty is the unshakeable attachment to something or someone. We are called to be faithful to the Word of God and Christ and to hold fast to His promises. It is one of the most prominent words in the NT and is used in a variety of ways throughout. The word pistis is often translated “faith” or “fidelity” and usually refers to our “faith in Christ” or “the faithfulness of Christ.” Here Paul notes that those who are led by the Spirit will be trustworthy and faithful as Christ was faithful. The Spirit is also our seal of loyalty; He is our witness of God’s promises.

meekness (meekness)

The virtue of gentleness is best translated as meekness, meaning to be mild or tame. People often associate gentleness with weakness, but that is a misrepresentation. Gentleness is not the opposite of courage, but rather the ability to control and curb strength. In a world that values ​​tenacity and “proving oneself” through brute force, those who have the fruit of the Spirit must show calm, tenderness, and humility. We remain firmly focused on Jesus, who was the perfect example of humility and meekness (Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 5:5). We are called to be faithful witnesses of Christ (1 Peter 3:15-16), to serve the Lord and patiently bring adversaries back to the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-26), and to restore our brethren to the Lord (Galatians 6 , 16). 1) all with gentleness.

self control

Self-control is the last part of the fruit of the Spirit. It is the moderation and control of our carnal desires and passions. As mentioned above, those who lived after Christ are now led by the Spirit and no longer by their carnal desires. Self-control enables us to be disciples and exercise restraint, and enables us to listen to and act on the will of God rather than our own desires (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit

It is a promise from the Lord that if we put our faith and trust in His promises and in what Christ did on the cross, He will give us the Holy Spirit. As with sanctification, it is the Holy Spirit working in us that produces these qualities, but we are not idle bench pressers. We can help cultivate these fruits in our lives through prayer, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping with other Christians, and renewing our spirits (Psalm 1; Romans 12:1-2). If you are in Christ, He is faithful to produce fruit in you (John 15:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Be sure to download the What’s in the Bible? Coloring Page Fruit of the Spirit Here!

[1] Peter uses a slightly different (and longer) list of the fruit of the Spirit in 2 Peter 1:5-7, but our focus today will be on Paul’s list.

[2] Bevins, Winfield. “What is the fruit of the Spirit?”

[3] Sanderson, John F. The Fruit of the Spirit. (P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ; 1985), 69.

[4] Plantiga, Cornelius Jr. Not as it should be. (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids; 1995), 10.

[5] Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, ed. Frederick W. Danker, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), makroqumia p. 612

[6] Stark, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. (Hendrickson, Peabody; 2009). “Agathosune,” p. 19.

Valentine’s Day brings a sea of ​​bright pink and red decorations, love-themed teddy bears and heart-shaped chocolates. But why are strawberries so often associated with romance? There are plenty of strawberries that make them tempting, but let’s face it — they even look like little bright red hearts.

Alongside chocolate, strawberries are one of the most well-known aphrodisiacs. In fact, chocolate-covered strawberries were originally paired together because they are two of the most famous aphrodisiacs in the world. These days, chocolate-covered strawberries are a common Valentine’s treat and are often found on buffet tables at weddings.

The history of the strawberry dates back to ancient Rome, where the fruit was considered a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love, because of its bright red color and alluring taste. Later, the berry became a symbol of fertility due to its many outer seeds. In fact, the fruit looks so tempting that strawberries were carved on church altars and cathedral pillars in medieval times to represent perfection. According to legend, two people fall in love when they share a strawberry.

Regardless of whether strawberries really are the aphrodisiac they’re meant to be, there’s no denying their allure on the plate. Let us know if you need berries this week.

do you bear fruit

Being a Christian means obeying all of the commandments that Jesus gave us. Some are easy to do, like getting baptized when we first believed, others are not so easy. How do we know if we are obedient to God? Look at yourself and ask, “Am I fruit?”

To bear fruit you must “abide in the vine.” In John chapter 15, Jesus explains this clearly to his disciples:

“I am the true vine and my father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off all my branches that do not bear fruit, and he prunes the branches that bear fruit so that they will bear more. 3 You have already been circumcised and cleansed by the message I gave you. 4 Abide in me and I abide in you. For a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is separated from the vine, and you cannot bear fruit unless you abide in me.”

So it’s easy; we must abide in Jesus to bear fruit, and to abide in Jesus we must be obedient to His teachings. This obedience requires action; James 1:22 tells us that we “must be doers of the word, and not just hearers.” In other words, don’t just listen to God’s Word. You have to do what it says. Too many Christians get stuck at this point. Many of our favorite people in the Bible hang themselves on it too.

Moses told God he was not qualified to bring Israel out of Egypt, Mordecai said to Esther because if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, and what about Isaiah? Then I said, “It’s all over! I am damned because I am a sinful man. I have dirty lips and I live among a dirty-lipped people.”

God made all these people clean and righteous; all we have to do is be obedient. Moses took a stick and threw it in water to cleanse it; it was God who purified the water by Moses’ obedience; Nineveh repented of Jonah’s reluctant obedience; Peter walked on the water and obediently got out of the boat. I encourage you to see God at work, to see fruit in your life, to obey what you hear.

The mandate is simple; Jesus didn’t complicate it: “Go make disciples.” Too often we look for a “burning bush” to take us out of our comfort zone. The burning bush is already in Scripture. The premise is that we should start figuring out how to make disciples. Look carefully at your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Nations to see where you can have the greatest impact by being obedient and bearing fruit.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

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

What is goodness?

When the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character changes. In those areas of our lives where we once clung to the sin that reflects our human nature, we can now possess the fruits of the Spirit and reflect God’s character.

One of the fruits of the spirit is goodness. So what does this mean and how can it be applied to our lives?

Growing up we were often told that we should “be good”. Maybe it looked like you were helping your mother around the house or getting good grades in school.

However, I think the true meaning of the word “kindness” is often overlooked. goodness is action; it is not something we do just to be virtuous.

If we strive to be “good” only for our own benefit, we do not really have goodness. In Greek, the word ‘goodness’ means ‘agathosune’, ‘a sincerity of heart and life’ (Thayer & Strong, 1995).

Goodness and the Life of Jesus Christ

When we act out of true kindness of heart and reflect the fruitage of the Spirit, we obey God’s commandments and seek the benefit of others. Our actions come from a place of selflessness, and we put the needs of others ahead of our own.

Does that sound familiar to you?

The life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of goodness as He died on the cross for the sins of mankind to give us the gift of eternal life. His ministry and sacrifice exemplify God’s goodness toward mankind. After all, the term “gospel” means “good news.”

Peter, a disciple of Jesus, speaks in Acts 10:38 about the goodness of Jesus’ ministry: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil , because God was with him.”

Also, Jesus is called the “Good Shepherd” in Scripture because he gave his life for his sheep.

Conclusion

As Christians, we are called to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ. Matthew 5:16 says, “In like manner, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Kindness is not about doing elaborate things to gain recognition. Often it’s the small acts of kindness we do throughout the day that mean the most to those around us.

Is your friend having a bad day? Write them a note to let them know how much you care about them. is someone putting you down pray for you

In these good deeds we reflect the character of Christ and possess the fruit of the Spirit. Even if nobody seems to notice, God does. Ultimately, when we show kindness, we bring glory to God’s name.

Grand Canyon University’s Spiritual Life Department creates an atmosphere in which students can learn more and grow in their faith. To learn more about GCU and our Christian heritage, visit our Christian Identity and Heritage page.

Relation:

Thayer, J., Strong, J. (1995). Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Most Christians are familiar with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, godliness, godliness, and endurance. These gifts, bestowed on Christians at Baptism and perfected in the Sacrament of Confirmation, are like virtues: they prepare the person who possesses them to make the right decisions and to do the right things.

How are the fruits of the Holy Ghost different from the gifts of the Holy Ghost?

If the gifts of the Holy Spirit are like virtues, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are the actions that produce those virtues. Driven by the Holy Spirit, we bear fruit in moral action through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that we can only do with the help of the Holy Spirit. The presence of these fruits is an indication that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian believer.

Where are the fruits of the Holy Spirit found in the Bible?

Saint Paul lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the Letter to the Galatians (5:22). There are two different versions of the text. A shorter version, commonly used today in both Catholic and Protestant Bibles, lists nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; the longer version used by St Jerome in his Latin translation of the Bible known as the Vulgate contains three more. The Vulgate is the official text of the Bible used by the Catholic Church; For this reason, the Catholic Church has always referred to the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit

The 12 fruits are charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, kindness (or kindness), kindness, long-suffering (or long-suffering), gentleness (or meekness), faith, modesty, temperance (or self-control), and chastity. (Forbearance, modesty, and chastity are the three fruits found only in the longer version of the text.)

charity (or love)

Charity is love for God and neighbor without any thought of anything in return. However, it’s not a “warm and fluffy” feeling; Charity is expressed in concrete action towards God and our fellow human beings.

joy

Joy is not emotional in the sense that we usually think of joy; rather, it is the state of being undisturbed by the negative things in life.

Peace

Peace is a stillness in our soul that comes from trusting in God. Instead of getting caught up in fears about the future, through the prompting of the Holy Ghost, Christians trust that God will provide for them.

patience

Patience is the ability to endure other people’s imperfections through knowing our own imperfections and our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

goodness (or kindness)

Kindness is the willingness to give to others more than we have for them.

quality

Kindness is avoiding evil and embracing what is right, even at the cost of one’s earthly fame and fortune.

long-suffering (or long-suffering)

Forbearance is patience under provocation. While patience is rightly directed towards the faults of others, long-suffering is calmly enduring the attacks of others.

mildness (or gentleness)

Being gentle means being forgiving rather than angry, merciful rather than vindictive. The gentle person is meek; Like Christ himself, who said, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29), he does not insist on going his own way, but gives himself to others for the sake of the kingdom of God.

Believe

Faith as the fruit of the Holy Spirit means living our lives according to God’s will at all times.

modesty

Humility means humbling yourself and acknowledging that any of your successes, achievements, talents or merits are not really your own but are gifts from God.

continence

Continence is self-control or moderation. It doesn’t mean denying yourself what you need or even want badly (as long as you want something good); rather it is the exercise of moderation in all things.

chastity

Chastity is the submission of bodily desires to right reason, submission to one’s spiritual nature. Chastity means giving in to our physical desires only in the appropriate context—for example, engaging in sexual activity only within marriage.

Fruit in the Garden of Eden

Forbidden fruit is a name for the fruit that grows in the Garden of Eden and that God commands mankind not to eat. In the biblical story, Adam and Eve eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and are banished from Eden.

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may eat of any tree in the garden, but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. Genesis 2:16-17

As a metaphor outside of Abrahamic religions, the phrase typically refers to any indulgence or pleasure considered illegal or immoral.

Biblical history[edit]

The story of the book of Genesis places the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, where they are allowed to eat the fruit of many trees, but eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is forbidden by God.

In Genesis 3, a serpent tempts the woman:

And the serpent said to the woman, Surely you will not die; for God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4-5

Longing for this wisdom, the woman eats the forbidden fruit and gives it to the man, who also eats it. They become aware of their “nudity” and make fig leaf dresses and hide when God approaches. When Adam is confronted, he tells God that Eve gave him the fruit to eat, and Eve tells God that the serpent tricked her into eating it. God then curses the serpent, the woman, then the man, and drives the man and woman out of the garden before they ate from the tree of eternal life.

Quran story[ edit ]

According to the Qur’an, Surah Al-A’raf 7:19 describes Adam and his wife in paradise where they can eat whatever is available to them, except for a tree from which they are not allowed to eat, lest they be considered Zalimun (Arabic : ظالمون; evildoers) are considered ).[1]

Surah Al-A’raf 7:20-22 describes Shaitan (Arabic: شيطان‎‎) whispering to Adam and his wife and deceiving them. When they taste of the tree, their shame is revealed to them and they begin to cover themselves with leaves.[2]

And their Lord cried out to them: Have I not forbidden you both from this tree and told you that Shaytaan is your open enemy? Quran 7:22

Identifications and representations[ edit ]

The word fruit appears in Hebrew as פֶּ֫רִי (pərî). Possible fruits that may have been the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden include apple, grape, pomegranate,[3] fig,[4] carob,[3] etrog or lemon,[3] pear, quince, and mushroom . The pseudopigraphic Book of Enoch describes the tree of knowledge: “It was like a species of tamarind tree, bearing fruit resembling very fine grapes, and its fragrance spread over a considerable distance. I cried out, How beautiful is this tree and how lovely is its appearance!” (1 Enoch 31:4).

In Islamic tradition, the fruit is commonly identified with either wheat or grapevine.[5]

apple [edit]

In Western Europe, the fruit was often depicted as an apple. This was possibly due to a misunderstanding – or pun on – two unrelated words mălum, a native Latin noun meaning evil (from the adjective malus), and mālum, another Latin noun borrowed from Greek μῆλον, meaning apple means. In the Vulgate, Genesis 2:17 describes the tree as de ligno autem scientiae boni et mali: “but of the tree [literally wood] of the knowledge of good and evil” (mali is the genitive of malum here).

The larynx, particularly the laryngeal prominence that connects to the thyroid cartilage, in the human pharynx is noticeably more prominent in males and has consequently been dubbed the Adam’s apple since it was believed to be caused by the forbidden fruit becoming lodged in Adam’s throat when swallowed it.[6]

grape [ edit ]

Rabbi Meir says that the fruit was a grape that was made into wine.[7] The Zohar similarly explains that Noah attempted (but failed) to correct Adam’s sin by using grape wine for holy purposes.[8][9] The Midrash of Bereishit Rabah states that the fruit was grape[10] or pressed grapes (perhaps an allusion to wine).[11] Chapter 4 of 3 Baruch, also known as the Greek Apocalypse of Baruch, refers to the fruit as a grape. 3 Baruch is a first- to third-century text that is either Christian or Jewish with Christian interpolations.[12]

fig [ edit ]

The Bible says in the book of Genesis that Adam and Eve made their own fig leaf clothing: “And their eyes were opened both, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made belts for themselves”.[13] Rabbi Nehemiah Hayyun supports the idea that the fruit was a fig since God made fig leaves into articles of clothing for Adam and Eve when he drove them out of the garden. “By that , with which they were humiliated, they were corrected.”[14] Since the fig has long been a symbol of female sexuality, it enjoyed during the Italian Renaissance as a popular understudy to the apple as the forbidden fruit. Michelangelo Buonarroti places it as such in his masterpiece fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.[15]

pomegranate [edit]

Proponents of the theory that the Garden of Eden was located somewhere in what is now the Middle East theorize that the fruit was actually a pomegranate, a plant native from Iran to the Himalayas and cultivated since ancient times.[16] The association of the pomegranate with knowledge of the underworld, as envisaged in the ancient Greek legend of Persephone, may have also led to an association with knowledge of the Otherworld, tied to knowledge forbidden to mortals. It is also believed that Hades offered Persephone a pomegranate to force her to stay with him in the underworld. Hades is the Greek god of death and the Bible says that whoever eats the forbidden fruit will die.

Wheat[ edit ]

Rabbi Yehuda suggests that the fruit was wheat because “a baby does not know how to call mother and father until it tastes the taste of grain.”[7]

In Hebrew, wheat is “khitah,” which is considered a pun on “khet,” meaning “sin.”[3]

Although often confused with a seed, technically in the study of botany, a wheatberry is a simple fruit known as a caryopsis, which has the same structure as an apple. Just as an apple is a fleshy fruit that contains seeds, a grain is a dry fruit that absorbs water and contains a seed. The confusion comes from the fact that the fruit of a grass happens to have a similar shape to some seeds.[17]

mushroom [edit]

A 13th-century fresco at Plaincourault Abbey in France shows Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden flanked by a Tree of Knowledge that has the appearance of a gigantic Amanita muscaria, a psychoactive mushroom.[18] Terence McKenna suggested that the forbidden fruit was a reference to psychotropic plants and fungi, particularly psilocybin mushrooms, which he theorized to play a central role in the evolution of the human brain.[19] Previously, in a well-documented but heavily criticized study,[20][21] John M. Allegro proposed the mushroom as a forbidden fruit.[22]

banana [edit]

There are several proponents of the theory from the thirteenth century. In Nathan HaMe’ati’s 13th-century translation of Maimonides’ work The Medical Aphorisms of Moses, the banana is referred to as the “apple of Eden.”[23][24] In the 16th century, Menahem Lonzano thought it common knowledge in Syria and Egypt that the banana was the apple of Eden.[25]

Coco de Mer[edit]

Charles George Gordon identified the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge with the coco de mer.

Parallel concepts[ edit ]

Greek mythology[edit]

The story’s similarities to the story of Pandora’s box were noted by early Christians such as Tertullian, Origen, and Gregory Nazianzus.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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2 The fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26

In these verses Paul wants to emphasize the qualities that should be evident in a Christian when the Holy Spirit dwells in one’s heart, as opposed to the qualities that are evident in a person who is not born from above.

Furthermore, according to McGee (1995):

Fruit is produced by the Lord Jesus using the Spirit of God in our lives. He wants to live his life through us. That’s why I keep saying you’re not being asked to live the Christian life. You are asked to let Him live through you.

2.1 Regarding verses 22-23a The fruit of the spirit should manifest itself in the following characteristics: Love The Greek word \(\alpha\gamma\alpha\pi\epsilon\) describes a kind of love that “sacrificingly” devotes oneself to someone … The love that is willing to serve others (MacArthur 2007). This kind of love makes it possible for believers to communicate with each other and live in peace. (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-13).

Joy. According to MacArthur (2007), joy is the happiness brought about by the divine, unchanging nature of God’s promises and by spiritual “realities.” To know that God and His chosen ones have been reconciled. Those of us who have walked with the Lord for a number of years have many stories to tell the world—stories of how uncomfortable circumstances can be, and yet we find miraculous joy in them through the Holy Spirit of God. For “Joy is a gift from God, and as such believers are not to make it, but to enjoy the blessings they already have.” (MacArthur 2007)

Peace. Peace is the calm feeling we experience when God calls us into His family by His grace and the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ makes it possible. (See Rom 5:1).) “Religion can never give you that. Only Christ can give you deep peace” (McGee 1995).

forbearance / patience. This is defined as the ability and willingness to endure painful, “irritating” circumstances and injuries caused by others (MacArthur 2007). (See Eph. 5:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:15-16.)

Friendliness. This refers to the tenderness that manifests in someone when he or she treats others with respect and consideration. MacArthur (2007) cites Scriptures that model this (eg, Matthew 11:28-29; Matthew 19:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:24).

Quality. This word refers to the excellence of character shown by works of kindness. The keyword is excellence; Jesus gives us insight into this in Mark 10:18. (There is an article on For an Answer .org that explains more about this verse.) If we believe what our Lord said, then we know that kindness is a supernatural act of God and we obviously cannot bring about it.

Loyalty. It refers to being loyal and trustworthy [macarthur2007]. Our Lord shows us how to be faithful as He keeps the promises of His gospel (1 John 1:9). We can also read about his faithfulness in the book of Job. And so he wants us to show the fidelity that he exemplifies in Scripture, as that is a characteristic of those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Gentleness. This means that we must show tenderness and consideration for others. Also be submissive to God, seek no vengeance (MacArthur 2007).

self control. This means that we must not follow impulses or unholy desires. We must remain sober at all times.

2.2 On verse 23B “Against such things there is no law.” In other words, “When a Christian walks by the Spirit and manifests his fruition, he or she needs no external law to bring about attitudes and conduct pleasing to God .” (MacArthur 2007).

2.3 Regarding verses 24-25 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts” (v. 24). MacArthur (2007) says that the use of the word crucified refers to the inability of the flesh to have power over someone (reason for this is found in Rom. 6:1-11; Rom. 7:14-25) . . Even if we have been walking in the Spirit for a long time, if we deny the reality of our imperfect walk with God in this life, we are deceiving ourselves and doing Christ a disservice (1 John 1:8-10 ). “As we live the Spirit, let us also keep pace with the Spirit.” In other words, we please God when we yield and submit to the leading of the blessed Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 says:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit

When you think of the word fruit, you probably think of something like an apple or a banana, right? Now, when Paul speaks of the “fruit of the Spirit,” he’s not referring to a piece of fruit that you might eat with your lunch. What Paul has in mind here is what comes out of a person who has been filled with the Holy Spirit. The word “fruit” refers to the product or result of something. It is what comes from a tree or plant, like an apple from an apple tree. In Paul’s case, however, it is what comes from a person. So when Paul speaks of “the fruit of the Spirit,” he is referring to the fruit that comes from the Spirit of God.

When we follow Jesus and believe in the power of what He did for us on the cross, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God (just like God the Father and Jesus the Son) and he lives in us. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we produce the fruit of the Spirit. Before Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit, he is talking about the fruit that comes from our sin. Our sin brings things like anger, greed, jealousy and other not so nice things – the worst fruits! Without the Spirit of God, this is the kind of fruit that sin produces in our lives.

But now, as we follow Christ, the Spirit is given to us. The fruit that comes out of our life is then much better. Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” This is the best kind of fruit. Note that “fruit” is the word used here, not “fruits”. Every attribute is given to every Christian; God doesn’t choose which ones we get. It’s not that we’re only allowed to bring forth peace and love, but not joy and goodness. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are given the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as a whole package. All of these are the fruits of a life lived for Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit.

Walk with the Holy Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit are essentially nine visible virtues that Paul lists in Galatians 5 that should be shown in a person walking with Jesus. As we follow Christ, believing in Him and His saving work on the Cross by grace through faith, we are united to Christ and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s rhetoric in Galatians 5 is that those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and now live their lives according to Christ and not according to sin will look markedly different from those who do not. A life filled with the Spirit of God will produce sweet fruit that draws people to God, not sour fruit that turns people away.

In Galatians 5, Paul begins his argument by stating the characteristics that sin creates in our lives. When we live according to sin and according to the flesh, qualities like greed, envy, strife, malice, and anger come out of us. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, tantrums, rivalries, disagreements, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and such things. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

He warns them that those who bear this sour and bad fruit will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is not saying that once you fall into a fit of anger or envy, you will automatically be shut out of the kingdom of God. Rather, he is pointing out that when your life is marked by these things (they are not just occasional occurrences), it is evidence that you are living your life according to the flesh and not the Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 Paul again points out that although there is still jealousy and contention among those in the church, they still live according to the flesh and not the Spirit. In Romans 6-8 Paul continually contrasts the idea that we used to live by the flesh and according to sin, but now we live by the Spirit and according to Christ. The fruit that comes from those who live after the flesh will look markedly different than that which comes from those who are led by the Spirit and who live after Christ. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Paul tells the Corinthians to be the fragrance of Christ to all around them; he prays that the scent of her knowledge and love for him will spread far and wide.

The Nine Virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit

Although we have established that Paul is referring to one fruit and not multiple fruits, it is still important to look closely at each characteristic Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23[1].

love

Love is the first trait to be listed. It should come as no surprise that Paul lists it first, since in his other epistles he emphasizes the primacy of love (1 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 3:14). As people who have experienced the love of God through the grace of Christ, we too should love others. The sacrificial love of Christ is the kind of love to which we are called as Christians; Love that finds its source in God alone. “Love is a spiritual anchor of truth in the relationship to God and to the neighbor”[2]. As Spirit-filled we are called to show this unselfish love to all people.

joy

The word joy occurs 60 times in the New Testament. We often associate joy with happiness, and that’s not wrong, but joy differs from happiness because it doesn’t depend on external circumstances. We are to find joy in the midst of the most difficult circumstances of life (Philippians 4:4). The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Because of the joy that was set before him, Christ took up the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). “The Bible requires joy as an enduring possession and an enduring state of mind for the saint” [3]. The joy that allowed Paul to rejoice in the midst of suffering comes from the Lord; it is the joy “in” or “in” the Holy Spirit and is elicited by faith (Romans 15:13).

Peace

The peace of God is something that is often beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7). Biblical peace is joyful in that it is not dependent on external conditions or circumstances. The word “peace” comes from the Hebrew word “shalom”. Shalom refers to much more than amnesty between people. Cornelius Plantinga writes [4]:

In the Bible, shalom signifies universal prosperity, wholeness, and joy—a rich state in which natural needs are met and natural gifts are fruitfully employed, a state that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and the world welcomes creatures, in which he finds pleasure. In other words, Shalom is the way things should be.

We now have peace with God through justification (Romans 5:1), and peace is a state of stillness that comes from seeking God. The Lord gives us peace (John 14:27) and the peace He gives us helps to restore and heal broken relationships.

patience

The Greek word used here is difficult to translate into English, and so “patience” is used in various translations as opposed to “long-suffering.” The Greek word used has two primary definitions.

A state of calm while waiting for an outcome, patience, perseverance, steadfastness.

A state of being able to endure provocation, forbearance, patience towards others. [5]

The definition considered here is probably the second. Paul encourages Christians to remain strong and steadfast in the midst of trials and tribulations (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11).

kindness (gentleness)

The fruit of kindness is our ability to show empathy for those in need or hurt. Kindness is not directly related to niceness, although we often think the two are synonymous. To be nice means to be pleasant. Being kind refers to acting for the benefit of another person. Those who are filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit act for the benefit of others, whether in worship or thanksgiving, because they have experienced the goodness of God through Jesus Christ. Kindness is the opposite of selfishness. Selfishness seeks its own power and good, while kindness seeks the good of others even at the expense of our own power. (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).

quality

Kindness and kindness are often used hand-in-hand and are very closely related. The virtue of kindness has an active element; it is a positive moral quality, particularly characterized by an interest in the well-being of others. The word Agathosune used is found only in biblical and ecclesiastical writings and has the meaning “sincerity of heart and life” [6]. Kindness models Christ’s acts of love, humility, and forgiveness, and enables us to show integrity, honesty, and compassion toward others.

loyalty

Loyalty is the unshakeable attachment to something or someone. We are called to be faithful to the Word of God and Christ and to hold fast to His promises. It is one of the most prominent words in the NT and is used in a variety of ways throughout. The word pistis is often translated “faith” or “fidelity” and usually refers to our “faith in Christ” or “the faithfulness of Christ.” Here Paul notes that those who are led by the Spirit will be trustworthy and faithful as Christ was faithful. The Spirit is also our seal of loyalty; He is our witness of God’s promises.

meekness (meekness)

The virtue of gentleness is best translated as meekness, meaning to be mild or tame. People often associate gentleness with weakness, but that is a misrepresentation. Gentleness is not the opposite of courage, but rather the ability to control and curb strength. In a world that values ​​tenacity and “proving oneself” through brute force, those who have the fruit of the Spirit must show calm, tenderness, and humility. We remain firmly focused on Jesus, who was the perfect example of humility and meekness (Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 5:5). We are called to be faithful witnesses of Christ (1 Peter 3:15-16), to serve the Lord and patiently bring adversaries back to the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-26), and to restore our brethren to the Lord (Galatians 6 , 16). 1) all with gentleness.

self control

Self-control is the last part of the fruit of the Spirit. It is the moderation and control of our carnal desires and passions. As mentioned above, those who lived after Christ are now led by the Spirit and no longer by their carnal desires. Self-control enables us to be disciples and exercise restraint, and enables us to listen to and act on the will of God rather than our own desires (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit

It is a promise from the Lord that if we put our faith and trust in His promises and in what Christ did on the cross, He will give us the Holy Spirit. As with sanctification, it is the Holy Spirit working in us that produces these qualities, but we are not idle bench pressers. We can help cultivate these fruits in our lives through prayer, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping with other Christians, and renewing our spirits (Psalm 1; Romans 12:1-2). If you are in Christ, He is faithful to produce fruit in you (John 15:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Be sure to download the What’s in the Bible? Coloring Page Fruit of the Spirit Here!

[1] Peter uses a slightly different (and longer) list of the fruit of the Spirit in 2 Peter 1:5-7, but our focus today will be on Paul’s list.

[2] Bevins, Winfield. “What is the fruit of the Spirit?”

[3] Sanderson, John F. The Fruit of the Spirit. (P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ; 1985), 69.

[4] Plantiga, Cornelius Jr. Not as it should be. (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids; 1995), 10.

[5] Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, ed. Frederick W. Danker, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), makroqumia p. 612

[6] Stark, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. (Hendrickson, Peabody; 2009). “Agathosune,” p. 19.

In Christianity, an extraordinary power bestowed by the Holy Spirit

Charisma denotes any good gift that flows from the benevolent love of God.[1] The term denotes any good gift that flows from God’s benevolent love.

A spiritual gift or charisma (plural: charisms or charismata; Greek singular: χάρισμα charisma , plural: χαρίσματα charismata ) is an extraordinary power bestowed by the Holy Spirit.[2][3] Adherents believe these are supernatural graces needed by individual Christians (and were needed in apostolic days) to fulfill the mission of the church.[4][5] In its narrowest sense, it is a theological term for the extraordinary gifts bestowed upon individual Christians for the benefit of others, and is distinct from gifts of personal sanctification such as the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.[1]

These abilities, often referred to as “charismatic gifts,” are the word of knowledge, increased faith, the gifts of healing, the gift of miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. Added to this are the gifts of apostles, prophets, teachers, helpers (associated with the ministry of the poor and sick), and government (or leadership) associated with specific offices in the Church. These gifts are given to individuals by the Holy Spirit, but their purpose is to build up the entire Church.[1] They are described in the New Testament, primarily in 1 Corinthians 12,[6] Romans 12[7] and Ephesians 4.[8] 1 Peter 4[9] also touches on spiritual gifts.[2]

The gifts refer to both seemingly “natural” abilities and seemingly “more wondrous” abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit.[5] The two main opposing theological positions on their nature are that they have long since ceased or that they continue (cessationism versus continuationism).

Biblical and theological overview

The New Testament contains several lists of spiritual gifts, most of them in Paul’s epistles. While each list is unique, there is some overlap.

Romans 12:6-8 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 Ephesians 4:11 1 Peter 4:11 prophecy serving teaching admonition giving guidance mercy word of wisdom word of knowledge faith gifts of healing miracles Prophecy Discerning Between Spirits Tongues Interpretation of Tongues Apostle Prophet Teachers Miracles Types of Healings Aids Administration Tongues Apostle Prophet Evangelist Pastor Teachers Who Speaks Whoever Serves[10]

Christians believe that the charismata were foretold in the book of Joel (2:28) and promised by Christ (Gospel of Mark 16:17-18). That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost and elsewhere as the Church expanded. To correct the abuse of the spiritual gifts in Corinth, Paul gave much attention to the spiritual gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians (chapters 12-14).[1]

In 1 Corinthians 12, two Greek terms are translated “spiritual gifts.” In verse 1 the word pneumatika (“spiritual” or “things of the spirit”) is used. In verse 4 charisma is used. This word derives from the word charis, meaning “mercy.” In verses 5 and 6 the words diakonia (translated “administrations”, “services” or “service”) and energemata (“operations” or “works”) are used to describe the nature of the spiritual gifts. In verse 7 the term “manifestation (phanerosis) of the spirit” is used.[11]

Based on these Scriptures, Christians understand the spiritual gifts as qualifications or abilities bestowed by God on an individual. Since they are freely given by God, they cannot be acquired or earned.[12] Although performed by individuals, these are operations or manifestations of the Holy Spirit – not the gifted person. They are to be used for the benefit of others, and in a sense they are accorded more to the Church as a whole than to individuals. Their distribution is varied – one individual will not possess all gifts.[11] The purpose of the spiritual gifts is to edify (edify), exhort (encourage), and comfort the church.[13]

It is generally acknowledged [by whom?] that Paul did not enumerate all the gifts of the Spirit,[1] and many [quantify] believe that there are as many gifts as there are needs in the body of Christ.[14] The gifts were sometimes classified into different categories based on their similarities and differences from other gifts. Some divide them into three categories using Old Testament offices. “Prophetic” gifts include any gift that involves teaching, encouraging, or scolding others. “Priestly” gifts include mercy and concern for those in need, or intercession before God. “Royal” gifts are those pertaining to church administration or government.[15] Others categorize them as “gifts of knowledge” (Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, spirit discernment), “gifts of speech” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy), and “gifts of power” (faith, healing, miracles). [16] The gifts have also been categorized into those that promote the inner growth of the church (Apostles, Prophecy, Discerning Between Spirits, Doctrine, Word of Wisdom/Knowledge, Help and Administration) and those that promote the outer development of the Church ( Faith, Miracles, Healing, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation in Tongues).[1]

Advocates of cessation distinguish between the “extraordinary,” “miraculous,” or “sign” gifts (such as prophecy, tongues, and healing) and the other gifts.[17] Some Protestants, particularly in the Calvinist tradition, hold that miraculous gifts and their effects were limited to early Christianity and “ceased” thereafter.[18] Other Protestants, including Lutherans,[19] Methodists,[20] Pentecostals, and Charismatics, hold the Continuationist position and believe that all spiritual gifts are distributed among Christians by the Holy Spirit and are normative in Christianity today. In addition, Roman Catholicism[21] and the Eastern Orthodox Church also continue to believe in and use all spiritual gifts.

Descriptions [ edit ]

Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos, meaning “a messenger, one sent forth with commands.”[22] It refers to someone who has been given authority by another in a foreign land.[23] Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; They were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel. While many Christians agree that the title of apostle is reserved for first-generation Christians, many Christian denominations recognize in one way or another an ongoing apostolic ministry. Many churches, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, believe in the doctrine of apostolic succession, which holds that duly ordained bishops are the successors of the apostles. Other Christian groups, such as classical Pentecostals, view the role of a missionary as fulfilling an apostolic ministry.[24] However, there are some Christians who support the restoration of the fivefold ministry, including formal recognition of the apostleship. Others would say that the office no longer exists.[25]

Prophet: In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of ministry through exhortation, edification, and comfort (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 ​​Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11).[26] The corresponding gift of the prophet is prophecy. Prophecy is “to report something that God spontaneously brings to your mind.”[27] Many, especially Pentecostals and Charismatics, distinguish between the “office of prophets” and the “gift of prophecy” and believe that a Christian can possess the gift of prophecy without holding the office of prophet.[28]

Prophecy addresses the human mind “He who prophesies speaks to men,” Cor 14:1-25. The prophet “builds up the church” (14:4).[29]

Evangelist: An evangelist is someone who is dedicated to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament evangelists preached from city to city, from church to church.[30]

Pastor: This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”. Theoretically, pastors are gifted to lead, lead, and set an example for other Christians. The grammatical structure of Ephesians 4:11 leads many to conclude that teacher and pastor should be considered one term (pastor-teacher). Despite this, the two terms are not interchangeable; While all pastors are teachers, not all teachers are pastors. Pastoral gifts involve integrity and compassion.[31]

Teacher: Someone who dedicates his life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When the church is taught by God, two gifts are actually given—a teacher is given to the church, and along with the teacher comes a divine ability to teach.[32]

Service: The word translated service is diakonia, which can also be translated service.[32] Since there are many types of ministries and ministries to the church, this describes a broad range of gifts rather than a single gift.

Admonition: Ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works.”[33]

Giving: Those with this gift share their own possessions with others with exceptional generosity. While all Christians should be givers, those who have this gift will go beyond normal giving.[33]

Leadership: This gift relates to the various leadership roles in the Church. While many consider roles such as administration, management of funds, strategic planning, etc., to be functions outside the supernatural realm, in reality persons in these positions need supernatural empowerment just as much as ministers of the gospel do.[34] Some authors view the gifts of government and leadership as the same gift, but others view them as closely related yet distinct.

Mercy: Possibly identical to the gift of help, the shower of mercy has a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion for the poor and sick.[34]

Word of Wisdom: An utterance or message of wisdom granted to an individual in a supernatural way. For Paul, wisdom refers to “the knowledge of the great Christian mysteries: the incarnation, passion, and resurrection of Christ, and the indwelling of the Spirit of God in the believer (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:17)”.[1]

Word of Knowledge: Knowledge referred to is often said to pertain to understanding Christian doctrine or Bible truth.[1] It is sometimes said to be related to the ministry of teachers.

Faith: This refers to that strong or special faith that “moves mountains, casts out devils (Matthew 17:19-20), and faces the cruellest martyrdom without flinching.”[1] It differs from “saving” and “normal” Christian beliefs.[35]

Gifts of Healing: The ability to bring healing to others in a supernatural way. The plural indicates the variety of diseases healed and the many forms of gift, such as healing by anointing with oil, by the laying on of hands, by saying Jesus’ name, or by the sign of the cross.[1]

Working Miracles: The performing of deeds beyond ordinary human ability through the power of the Holy Spirit.[1]

visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied at Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 shows that the early Christians believed this prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Visions tend to be more private experiences than the other gifts. Some researchers extend the definition of vision to include a strongly felt presence.[36]

Discernment of Spirits: The ability to discern, discern, or discern the source of a spiritual manifestation – whether it is from a good spirit or an evil spirit. It seemed to have been particularly associated with prophecy since it would be necessary to know whether a prophetic utterance was truly inspired by God.[1][37]

Tongues: The supernatural ability to speak an unlearned language.[1] Paul seems to have distinguished between the public use of the gift (which must always be interpreted) and the private use for one’s own spiritual empowerment.[38] There is currently a dispute among Christians as to whether tongues have always been xenoglossy (speaking an unlearned human language) or whether they also included glossolalia (speaking an unlearned and supposedly non-human language of heavenly or angelic origin).

Interpretation of Tongues: This gift should always follow the public exercise of the gift of tongues.[1] In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul required that all speech in Christian worship should be intelligible. This required speech given in an unknown language to be translated into the common language of the assembled Christians.

Helps: This gift has to do with ministering to the sick and poor.[1] Bearers of this gift have a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted.”[39]

Administration: Also called the gift of governing[1], the Greek word translated “governments” is kubernesis, whose verb form means “to steer” or “to be a helmsman”. This gift then relates to the God-given ability to lead or guide the church through storms and difficult seas.[39]

Other Spiritual Gifts[ edit ]

Although not specifically defined as spiritual gifts in the Bible, other abilities and abilities have been considered spiritual gifts by some Christians. Some are found in the New Testament, such as:

Others are found in the Old Testament, such as:

Craftsmanship (such as the special skills given to craftsmen who built the tabernacle in Exodus 35:30–33) [42]

Interpretation of dreams (e.g. Joseph and Daniel) in Genesis 43-50, Daniel 2

Composing spiritual music, poetry and prose[42]

Social importance[ edit ]

The word is also used in secular situations within social psychology. In this context, charisma is defined as personal influence on other people individually or as a group.

Religious orders (including Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist) use the word “charisma” to describe their spiritual orientation and any particular characteristics of their mission or values ​​that might manifest themselves as a result of the vows they take and the orientation of the order, to which they belong. An example might be the work of a teaching order versus a missionary order or an order dedicated to caring for the poor, sick and needy.

See also[edit]

References[edit]