Commentaries:
These qualities are aspects of God's character that we all need to have and use:
Love: Outgoing concern for others. True concern for all of mankind. Not being self-centered. Doing for others what is right, despite their character, appearance, social status, etc. (I Corinthians 13).
Joy: Related to happiness, only happiness requires right circumstances where joy does not. Jesus Christ felt joy though He faced heavy trials (Hebrews 12:2). We should all be joyful having been called by God.
Peace: Peace of mind and peace with God (Philippians 4:6-7).
Longsuffering: Bearing with others who are working out their salvation. Being slow to anger (Romans 15:1; Luke 21:19).
Kindness: Behaving toward others kindly, as God has behaved toward us (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Goodness: Generosity of spirit that springs from imitating Jesus Christ (Psalm 33:4-5).
Faithfulness: Being reliable. This describes a person who is trustworthy and will always stand up for God's way. We can count on, and should work at imitating, the faithfulness of God (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 13:5).
Gentleness: Considerate and tactful in conduct and correction. Never angry at the wrong time (Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:26).
Self-Control: Discipline which gives us victory over the wrong pulls of our mind and body (I John 2:15-17).
John O. Reid
Time for Self-Evaluation
Once regenerated by the Holy Spirit from the Father, we must continually be led by it, bearing spiritual fruit throughout our lives. If we are producing the fruit of the Spirit, which exhibit a sound mind, we know it is working in us. The Spirit is the mind and essence of the divine nature, and through it God carries out His will. It empowers the mind to comprehend spiritual matters, producing conversion. It gives us the strength, will and faith to overcome our sins.
Martin G. Collins
The Holy Spirit
Related Topics:
"Bear[ing] fruits worthy of repentance" implies a process. Just as a tree does not produce fruit overnight, a Christian does not fully repent overnight. It is a lifelong process of making changes, and over time we will produce the fruit of the Spirit more consistently than the works of the flesh.
Martin G. Collins
Basic Doctrines: Repentance
Related Topics:
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
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