GALATIANS 5:22-23 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT DEFINED

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love²⁶, joy⁵⁴⁷⁹, peace¹⁵¹⁵, longsuffering³¹¹⁵, gentleness⁵⁵⁴⁴, goodness¹⁹, faith⁴¹⁰², meekness⁴²³⁶, temperance¹⁴⁶⁶: 

against such there is no law.

Susie: Many of us have heard these two verses, memorized them, been taught to “strive” to live up to them all our lives. First it must be said that these are not “fruits” we must work to produce. Rather, they are the “fruit” singular, the product, of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us. Believers will increasingly exhibit these character traits as the Spirit does His work in our lives.

Susan: As with many familiar passages of the Bible, we assume we know the meaning of these words and just gloss over them as we read. Let us take the time now to explore the meaning of each of these terms.  We will list the definition of each Greek word from The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, followed by our own discussion and possibly cross references.

26 agapē – love, i.e. affection or benevolence . . . (feast of) charity (-ably), dear, love.

Susan: Agapē is a derivative of Strong’s 25 agapaō which is love in a “moral sense.” This is the kind of love God displays toward us. It is not based on emotions or the merit of its object. God chooses to love us because His nature is love.

Susie: The Holy Spirit produces this type of love in us, enabling us to love even those who are unlovely or seemingly unlovable. This love is more than brotherly love, higher than romantic love, and is a result of our relationship with Jesus. It is also the love we return to the Heavenly Father.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

5479 chara – cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight—gladness, greatly (be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous)

Susie: I never really thought of joy as “calm delight.” It makes sense, though. Unlike happiness that is dependent upon circumstances, joy is an inner “delight” which Webster defines as “A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy.” No matter the outward circumstances, I am satisfied because of my trust in Jesus.

Susan: I am satisfied, joyful, despite my outward shell, my earth-suit. Spasms, twitches, phantom pain, inability to perform simple tasks like eating are all a part of my daily life; but the Holy Spirit within me provides unshakeable joy in the midst of it all.

2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Susan: Their freedom in Christ was greater than their challenges enabling them to give generously and cheerfully, not begrudgingly, even though they were poor.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

Susan: I could have become bitter because of my earth-suit that suffers from cerebral palsy, and uninformed public opinion that I must have rocks in my head. However, God gives me exuberant joy because He adopted me and calls me His jewel, His precious treasure.

And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure).

Susie: Peace is not the absence of turmoil. It is the ability to be calm, at rest, in the middle of the storm.

Susan: I think of Jesus in the boat with His disciples. A storm raged about them, but the Lord continued sleeping.

Susie: Of course, Jesus knew He had the power to calm the storm. We need to remember that He is in control of our tumultuous situations as well.

1515 ĕirēnē – peace (lit. or fig.) by impl. prosperity—one, peace, quietness, rest, set at one again.

Susan: The Hebrew equivalent to this Greek word for peace is “shalom.” Shalom means “nothing missing, nothing broken, to be made whole again.”

Susie: In other words, “set at one again.” Jesus takes the shattered pieces of our broken lives and makes them whole again.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Susan: The Apostle Paul certainly knew the importance of relying on and applying the grace and peace of the Lord in his own life (see his testimony of trials in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27). Therefore, he began or ended his letters as he did the letter to his son in the faith, Titus:

Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

GALATIANS 4:5-7 ADOPTION DEFINED

ADOPTION DEFINED - GALATIANS 4:5-7

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption⁵²⁰⁶ of sons.

Susan: The word “adoption” is used five times in the Bible (Romans 8:15, 23; Romans 9:4, Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1:5). All five times it was the Apostle Paul who was writing, and all five times he used the same Greek word.

The new Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

5206 huiŏthēsia – the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (fig. Christian sonship in respect to God) – adoption (of children, of sons).

Susan: Just as men can be called the “bride” of Christ, women can be called “sons” of God. The Bible usually says “sons” but it could be translated “children” in most instances. We are talking about our position in God’s kingdom being that of a beloved child with all the rights of a natural born child.

Susie: Paul would have been thinking in terms of Roman law when he wrote about adoption. The following is an excerpt from an excellent article. If you wish to read the entire article (which I highly recommend), go to: https://www.pilgrimtours.com/church_history/italy/devotionals_history/Adoption.htm

But it is the consequences of adoption which are most significant for the picture that is in Paul’s mind.  There were four main consequences. (1) The adopted person lost all rights to his old family, and gained all the rights of a fully legitimate son in his new family.  In the most literal sense, and in the most legally binding way, he got a new father. (2) It followed that he became heir to his new father’s estate.  Even if other sons were afterwards born, who were real blood relations, it did not affect his rights. He was inalienably co-heir with them.  (3) In law, the old life of the adopted person was completely wiped out.  For instance, legally all debts were cancelled; they were wiped out as though they had never been.  The adopted person was regarded as a new person entering into a new life with which the past had nothing to do.  (4) In the eyes of the law the adopted person was literally and absolutely the son of the new father.

Susan: When we are adopted into God’s family, our love for and obedience to Him must supersede all other attachments. The love of our earthly father and family is still there, but it pales in comparison to that of our Heavenly Father.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Susan: We become co-heirs with Jesus of the Kingdom of God when He adopts us. No matter what happens that status cannot be rescinded. Adoption is permanent.

Romans 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Susie: When we surrendered title to our own lives and submitted to the headship of our Heavenly Father, our past—our sins, our sorrows, our short-comings—was completely wiped out. Jesus did not just make over who we were. Instead He made us brand new. A completely fresh start.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Susan: The child of God is not like a red-headed step-child. We are indeed full-fledged members of God’s family with all the rights and responsibilities of a family member.

Susie: As full-fledged members of the forever family of God, we inherit a place specially and specifically prepared for us in His Kingdom.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Galatians 4:6-7 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

FAITH AND BELIEVE DEFINED - GALATIANS 3

FAITH

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith⁴¹⁰²?

Susie: Throughout the book of Galatians, “faith” is the same Greek word:

The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

4102 pistis – persuasion, credence, moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance on Christ for salvation: abstr. constancy in such profession: by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Susie: Paul contrasts faith with The Law, in other words with trying to earn God’s favor by obedience and good works.

Susan: Faith is relying on Christ and Christ alone for salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith⁴¹⁰²; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

BELIEVE

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed⁴¹⁰⁰ God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Susie: To believe is the verb form of faith. We do not say, “I faithed Jesus,” but “I believed Jesus.” Abraham believed, had faith in God’s promise to him.

The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

4100 – pistĕuō – from 4102: to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ)—believer (r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

Susan: To believe Jesus is to entrust our lives to Him. I have a “Special Needs Life Trust.” Technically, this money was awarded to me as a result of a lawsuit, but one of the stipulations was that it be put into a trust account managed by a trustee. I cannot access it without going through this trustee. Of course, this trustee is someone who I believe to be completely trustworthy and filled with integrity. To place our faith in, to believe Jesus, is to put everything we have, everything we are, and everything we hope to be in a trust account with Jesus as the trustee. It is no longer ours to do with as we will but is controlled by the one we trust to use it all for our good.

Susie: Our Heavenly Trustee in turn gives us what we need and trusts us to be good stewards of what we have been given back. 

JUSTIFIED DEFINED - GALATIANS 2

JUSTIFIED DEFINED

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified¹³⁴⁴ by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Susie: The second of our key terms is “justified.” Let’s start with the Strong’s definition of the Greek word and Webster’s definition of its English translation.

1344 dikaiŏō – to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent—free, justify (-ier), be righteous

American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828.

justify - In theology, to pardon and clear from guilt; to absolve or acquit from guilt and merited punishment, and to accept as righteous on account of the merits of the Savior, or by the application of Christ's atonement to the offender.

Susan: Susie shared an acronym for grace. I remember one for justified:

JUST as IF I’D never sinned.

Susie: In the Old Testament, sacrifices had to be offered over and over again to atone for sin. Jesus became the final sacrifice to cleanse us from sin and present us to God as spotless, justified. Paul explains this well in a passage from his letter to the Romans:

Romans 3:20-26 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Susan: When we have received Jesus as our Savior, then the Father no longer sees our sin. Instead He sees us through the righteousness of Jesus which is pure, holy, and perfect.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Susie: Remember the story of Jonathan and David? As a part of their covenant of friendship, Jonathan put his own robe on David (1 Samuel 18:4) This would say to others that he was under the protection of the prince and to be treated as if he were Jonathan himself. Jesus clothes us in His righteousness, and the Father sees us as joint heirs with His Son. Jesus shed His own blood in order to justify us, to cleanse us from our unrighteousness.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Susan: Jesus took my sin and threw it into the sea of forgetfulness never to be remembered by Him or myself again. I am freed from the guilt and penalty that my sin caused because Jesus’s death on the cross on my behalf rendered me justified with the Father. Jesus’s blood is the soap of His love that washed my sin away, cleansing me from all unrighteousness. God sees me as holy because He sees His Son in me. This is the only way that we can fulfill this verse:

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

PSALM 119:169-176 VARISCITE VICTORY

VARISCITE VICTORY

PSALM 119:169-176

ת (Tav)

Psalm 119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

Susan: The psalmist knew that the Lord was his only hope and feared the possibility of his prayer being rejected. It is a situation similar to that of Esther who entered the presence of an earthly king, unbidden and in great fear, to plead the cause of her people.

Susie: The psalmist considered himself unworthy to approach the Almighty God, but boldly sought an audience anyway. Then he asked that the Lord would grant him deep understanding of His word that he might follow it more closely. He states that God’s word promises that the Lord will give understanding.

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Susie: When God pointed out to Job all the things He controlled of which Job had little or no understanding, the Lord stated:

Job 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

Susan: In the New Testament, James picks up this same idea. James teaches believers to pray asking God for wisdom, and assures them that when they do, the Lord will be faithful to supply it abundantly.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Psalm 119:170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

Susan: The psalmist is in a submissive position, a posture of humility, praying intently. He is pleading with God to rescue him from his enemies, liberate him, according to His promises.

Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Susie: In the New Testament we are assured that when we belong to Jesus, no enemy can keep us from the Father.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 119:171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Susan: The psalmist says he will praise God for giving him more than a natural understanding of His word. He credits the Lord’s instruction for the depth of his spiritual insight into God’s laws.

Psalm 71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Susie: As New Testament believers, we have the blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit to instruct us and illuminate the Bible for us. For this we should praise God greatly!

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Susan: The Lord Himself empowers those who trust Him to understand and obey His word.

Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Susan: The psalmist is not only going to treasure God’s word for himself but will declare it to others. He knows the value of the scriptures and wants to share them.

Susie: He sees that God’s word is righteous, that it is absolute truth. We, too, should want to share the truth with everyone we meet. Paul drove that point home to his young protégé Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Psalm 119:173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

Susan: The psalmist could have been distracted by other points of focus, but he determined to base his life on God’s word. He chose God’s truth rather than the tenets of the false gods worshiped by the surrounding nations.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Psalm 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.

Susie: He has longed for deliverance from his enemies and, perhaps also, his own sinfulness. In his deep study of God’s law, fixing his mind on its truth, he has come to trust in God’s ability to save him. Therefore, he takes great pleasure in exploring God’s word.

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Susan: The psalmist wants to continue living because he has a selfless desire to praise and exalt the God of his heart.

Susie: If he were to die, no one would hear his praise of the Lord. Only the living, both physically and spiritually, have the ability to declare the glory of God.

Isaiah 38:18-19 (CSB) For Sheol cannot thank you; Death cannot praise you. Those who go down to the Pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, only the living can thank you, as I do today; a father will make your faithfulness known to children.

Isaiah 38:18-19 (MSG) The dead don’t thank you, and choirs don’t sing praises from the morgue. Those buried six feet under don’t witness to your faithful ways. It’s the living—live men, live women—who thank you, just as I’m doing right now. Parents give their children full reports on your faithful ways.

Susan: Not all who are physically alive are capable of truly praising God. One must be quickened by the Spirit of God and accept His salvation in order to properly praise the Lord.

Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Psalm 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Susie: Throughout Psalm 119, the writer affirms his delight in, love for, and adherence to the word of God. However, he now admits that even so, he is far from perfect. He is like a stupid sheep that wandered away from the safety of the flock.

Susan: Paul suffered the same plight. His spiritual man was strong, but his natural man (what we call the flesh) was weak.

Susie: Paul, like the psalmist, had a sincere heartfelt desire to obey the word of God completely, but he was still a sinner.

Romans 7:22-23 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Susie: Jesus tells a parable about a lost sheep in the Gospel of Luke:

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Susan: The psalmist entreats the Lord to pursue him with the heart of a shepherd whose sheep has wandered away from the flock. If an ordinary shepherd will strategically go after his lost sheep to bring them back into the fold, how much more does our Good Shepherd, Jesus, seek after His sheep, his children, when they have wandered from the path He set out for them, their God-given purpose.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Susie: Not only does Jesus pursue us, but as stated in John 10:11 and prophesied by Isaiah, He literally gave His life to pay the penalty of our sin, our straying.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Points to Ponder:

·     God Himself enables us to understand the Bible

·     God keeps His promises to deliver His children

·     We should praise the Lord for the insight the Spirit gives us

·     We should declare His word to others

·     We must choose between Jesus and the world

·     We should take delight in the word

·     Only those made alive by Christ can truly praise the Lord

·     When we do stray from God’s commands, Jesus our Good Shepherd comes to bring us back to safety

Reflection Question: God’s word is the path to victory over sin, over persecution, over any type of trial. God gives us the insight we need to be “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37) as we wield the “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17b). Have you praised the Lord for the gift of His Holy Bible today? Are you taking more time to internalize the truths found in its pages? This entire Psalm is dedicated to exalting the word of God. It is God’s explanation and instruction about Scripture.  Have we taken its message to heart and made scripture a priority? We hope that is one thing you have taken away from this study!