Galatians 5:22
What does Galatians 5:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:22 means
In contrast to the many “works” of the flesh, the Spirit produces one unified “fruit,” here described with nine qualities: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. This fruit flows from new life in Christ and reflects His character. Unlike the works, which we manufacture in sin, fruit is grown by God’s indwelling presence as we abide and walk with Him. These virtues repair relationships, calm anxieties, and anchor obedience. They also show that true spirituality is not showy ritual but transformed character. The list begins with love, the chief mark, and includes faithfulness, a steady reliability that the law could never create by command alone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, a quiet mind, kind acts, well-doing, faith,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity,
Context
Following the warning about the kingdom (v.21), Paul unveils the positive alternative: the Spirit’s fruit. Verses 22–23 stand as the ethical heart of the chapter, showing what Spirit-led freedom looks like. The list contrasts with the previous vices and anticipates the conclusion that such qualities meet no legal condemnation. Verse 23 will complete the list and connect it to the law, preparing for verse 24’s statement about crucifying the flesh and verse 25’s call to walk consistently with the life the Spirit gives.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
- John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.
- Ephesians 4:23
and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
- 1 Timothy 3:11
Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
- Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.
- Romans 15:3
For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me.
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