The Fruit of the Spirit

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

Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer wrote that the “True Christian character is the ‘fruit of the Spirit’...produced in the believer, but not by the believer.”[1]

It is God’s design that the Christian produce the fruit of the Spirit, and that it can only be generated in his heart by the indwelling Holy Spirit. In other words, the Christian becomes the instrument by which the Holy Spirit works through to accomplish divine righteousness. These characteristics are in contrast with the works of the flesh as described by Paul:

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19–21)

Note also that the empowerment is different: these deeds are produced by the flesh, by the individual himself without any supernatural assistance. Nowhere in this passage does Paul defer personal responsibility, as some might claim that “The devil made me do it!”

Paul explains that the Christian has been given a choice to make concerning his faith: to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)[2] or to indulge themselves “in the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Ephesians 2:3). To this he provides an ultimatum:

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

Notice how Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, neatly envelops the teaching of the Fruit of the Spirit with the phrase walk by the Spirit in two verses, 16 and 25. The genius of this is that both words for walk are different in the Greek for the purpose of fully illustrating the Biblical concept of walking by the Spirit.

In verse 16 the word in the original is peripatéō [περιπατέω]. Generally meaning “a stepping movement of the feet.”[3] Of the 95 instances in the New Testament, half refer to the literal meaning of this word. But here it is used figuratively and “refers to the act of conducting one’s self, or ordering one’s manner of life or behavior.”^[4] The usage of this word is something which Paul expands upon throughout his writings (Romans 14:15a; Ephesians 5:2 & 8b; Colossians 2:6).

In this passage, the ordering of one’s ‘manner of life’ is to be implemented “by the Spirit”. When Paul states “walk by the Spirit” it is not merely a suggestion, it is a command. Biblical commands must always be obeyed, and not just when we are being watched. Dr. Chafer describes what this manner of life requires of the believer:

Walking by means of the Spirit is simply walking by a definite reliance upon the ability and power of the One who indwells...true spirituality is, then, an unbroken reliance upon the Spirit to do what He has come to do and what He alone can do.^[5]

The mechanics of walking by the Spirit should also be considered. For in the physical realm walking depends upon ones balance and stability, so it is in the Spiritual life, as duly noted:

We move forward in the Christian way of life through the stability provided by the Spirit-filled life; “in [by] the Spirit,” an instrumental case in the Greek. The Holy Spirit is the means of walking in the Christian way of life.^[6]

Stability in the Christian life comes from learning God’s Word and applying it in our daily lives. Our Lord made this point during His ministry when He challenged Satan: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). And James stresses the believer’s application of the Word when he asserts: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22). Dr. Francis Schaeffer suggests that this walk of faith is “doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way,”[7] which presupposes that we should not impede the work of the Spirit by doing things our way.

A further aspect of stability is contained in this passage: walking by the means of the Spirit ensures us that we “will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” The word ‘not’ is a double negative in the Greek making it emphatic and could be translated “in no way.” W.E. Vine explains it in this manner:

The sentence may be read...as an assurance to the believer that if he walks by the Spirit, i.e., if he submits to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, refusing to order his life according to the promptings of the flesh and the conventions of the age, then he shall not be overmastered by the desires of the flesh, but on the contrary shall have the victory over, and be enabled to live superior to, them.^[8]  

Considering one’s obedience of this command, Paul states in verse 25 that “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Here Paul uses a different word for walk, stoichéō [στοιχέω]. Its meaning is slightly different than peripatéō, it is a military term meaning “to stand or go in order, advance in rows or ranks”^[9]; “to keep in line, to march in rank and file.”[10]

A paraphrase this verse can be rendered in this way: “‘[I]n view of the fact’ or ‘seeing that’ we live with reference to the Spirit”^[11] then let us also take our marching orders for the Christian way of life by means of the Holy Spirit. With this, Paul has provided a fitting response to the preceding verse:

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24) [12]

By wrapping these two verses, 16 and 25 with the two different words for walk, around the discussion of the believer’s necessity to produce the Fruit of the Spirit or the alternative, to practice the deeds of the flesh, Paul provides a complete harmonization of the principle of the Spirit controlled life. We are commanded to live our lives under the controlling and stabilizing influence of the Holy Spirit and to do so by falling in line with all believers following the Spirit’s leading.

Conclusion

The greatest gift, the supreme service that we can impart to believers and unbelievers alike is to live a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit. By walking by the Spirit—centered in Christ and producing His fruit—we exhibit the normalcy and naturalness that this life of faith affords: an eternal relationship with our Creator in time and in eternity. This is how we can then be dynamic witnesses of the gospel and a vivid expression of the reality and purpose of our existence here on earth.

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[1] Chafer, Lewis Sperry (1967). He That Is Spiritual. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, p. 45-46.

[2] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:14)

[3] Ebel, Günther (1986). The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (ed. Colin Brown), Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 3.943.

^[4] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 3.153.

[5] Ibid, Chafer, p. 96-97.

[6] R. B. Thieme, Jr., Unpublished notes from Galatians recording #416.15 02/09/1962.

[7] Schaeffer, Francis A. (1985). The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 3.50.

^[8] Vine, W. E. (1996). Collected Writings of W.E. Vine. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Gal. 5:16.

^[9] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, G4748.

[10] Lenski, R.C.H. (2001). Commentary on the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 8.295.

^[11] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 3.162.

[12] Note also Colossians 3:5ff.

YOU MAY HAVE PEACE: John 16:33

 
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 

The Upper Room Discourse, chapters 13-17 in John’s gospel, contains a series of messages which Our Lord gave to His disciples on the night prior to His death by crucifixion. The focus of His discourse seems to be in preparing the disciples for His departure and the assurance that they will not be left on their own without provisions needed to carry on His work.

Specifically, He mentions that the Holy Spirit will be given to them as their helper to remain with them forever (14:16) and to guide them into ‘all the truth’ (16:13). The Lord also focuses on assuring them peace during the time of His absence (14:27).  It is this subject of peace which He sums up the16th chapter.

He declares in 16:33 that what He has spoken to them was to assure them that they “may have peace”. The word peace in the original Greek [εἰρήνη] means “by implication, a state of peace, tranquility.”1 This passage does not emphasize peace as some type of an emotion – a feeling or a euphoric sensation. Instead, it signifies a status quo – a condition in which they are no longer in the midst of a conflict. So that in the midst of pressure and adversity they can have a relaxed mental attitude knowing that these adversities and tribulations are precipitated by the world.

When John states that “in the world you have tribulation” he is proclaiming that there is a battle raging, not with flesh and blood (although it may entail this) but with the unseen forces of the Evil One, Satan. Paul describes this in Ephesians 6:12:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

What Our Lord determined to provide for them was this promise: that by a sound understanding of His teachings they possess peace and tranquility, to be applied in the midst of any pressures that they are confronted with. It was not necessarily a feeling of peace which He provided them, but a realization that they should not fear or despair when met with challenges to their faith. That is why He emphatically affirmed in verse 33 the fact that while they are in this world they will continually have tribulation.

And with this in mind, He commands them “but take courage.” He begins the command with the word ‘but’, the conjunction of adversity. It indicates a contrast or opposition to what has just been stated. What the Lord is saying is: “In contrast to the evil machinations of the Evil One, you are to keep on being courageous.” The word ‘courage’ infers not only courage but confidence. Without the confidence in believing His promise that they possess a status quo of peace, they will not be victorious in the midst of the battle.

The final phrase of this verse proclaims the proof that our Lord has provides them with this status quo: “I have overcome the world.” The perfect tense of the verb ‘overcome’ designates the eternal victory of Jesus Christ over the evil powers of the world.

Specifically, what is the full significance of the word world of which Jesus can claim He has emphatically overcome?

The word world in the original Greek is transliterated as cosmos. Its root meaning is order or arraignment like that of a person’s apparel or a woman’s cosmetics. The philosophical usage came to denote it “as the sum total of everything here and now, the (orderly) universe.”2 This world as understood by the Scriptures is concisely described by the theologian Lewis Sperry Chafer:

The cosmos is a vast order or system that Satan has promoted, which conforms to his ideals, aims, and methods. It is civilization now functioning apart from God – a civilization in which none of its promoters really expect God to share, who assign to God no consideration in respect to their projects; nor do they ascribe any causativity to Him. This system embraces its godless governments, conflicts, armaments, jealousies, its education, culture, religions of morality, and pride. It is that sphere in which man lives. It is what he sees, what he employs. To the uncounted multitude it is all they ever know so long as they live on this earth. It is properly styled the satanic system, which phrase is in many instances a justified interpretation of the so-meaningful word, cosmos. It is literally a cosmos diabolicus [i.e. the devil’s world].3  

How is this applicable to us today?

First, we still live in the same world as the apostles did 20 centuries ago, just as Paul stated in Ephesians 6:12 (see above). It is naïve for us to believe that certain men or groups are the sole architects of the evil in our culture. So it is essential that we understand that there is a demonic influence which persuades and manipulates the structure of our culture.

Secondly, we should consider exactly how Jesus Christ has overcome this world:

• As the unique person of the universe, the God/Man was able to be born into this world to fulfill the redemptive plan of God the Father. Overcoming the subterfuge of King Herod, Matthew 2:16-18. 
• He overcame intense pressure from Satan himself, Luke 4:1-13.
• He overcame many times the evil machinations of the religious leaders, Matthew 16: 1-4; 19: 3-12.
• He endured the scourging, the mocking and humiliation of Pilate’s soldiers, John 19: 1-3.
• He overcame the crucifixion, for He chose the moment of His death, John 19:17-30.
• He overcame death itself, for He rose from the dead, Matthew 28:1-7.
• His finale of overcoming this world: He ascended physically into heaven, Luke 24: 50-51.

Therefore, since He has overcome the world and has given to us the status of peace, it is crucial to project a confident witness within this evil culture, no matter what may be devised or concocted by the minions of Satan, i.e. those who may be of a political, entertainment or state controlled media consortium.

And to keep the Biblical perspective that Paul has stated:

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37–39)

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[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, G1515

[2] Arndt, W., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (1979). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, p. 445.

[3] Chafer, L.S., (1976), Systematic Theology, Dallas, TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 2.77-78.

 

© 2023 David M. Rossi

AFFLICTED, PERPLEXED, PERSECUTED

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”       (2 Corinthians 4:1–10 NASB)

This period of confinement because of the Coronavirus threat has caused frustration and bewilderment for many. Regardless of the political implications, there are spiritual lessons which we can derive from this time of confinement and the mandatory use of personal protection equipment as well as the implied need for social distancing.

The passage above, 2 Corinthians 4:1-10, is applicable to this time in our history. Paul’s teachings are invaluable in helping us to gain perspective of who we are, our mission and the power God supplies to sustain us during this time.

First: With churches closed or open with limited attendances allowed, we should not neglect the value of Bible study. Reading the Bible is good, but it is a substitute for the actual teaching of God’s Word. Many churches have recorded messages for their congregation to access on their internet websites. This is an excellent way of reviewing some of your pastor’s teachings or picking up on the ones you may have missed. Someone rightly said once: “You can never get too much of God’s Word.”

Second: The world around us is constantly rejecting the certainty of the God of the Bible. If this does not cause us to have Godly pity towards this dying culture, then it is time to remind ourselves that our mission is to be a light to this world:

“For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8 NASB)

We are to reflect the character of Christ and ensure that our lives – in words and actions – are an effective and dynamic witness of the gospel of salvation. We must rise above the pettiness and injustices of this culture, not merely to attain a personal ‘higher ground’, but to allow the enabling Holy Spirit to take control so that we are able to fulfill the objective that God has given us.

Third: We must not despair. At every roadblock and obstacle placed in our pathways, we must not despair but rely upon the strength that God has provided for us just for these occasions. To emphasize what Paul stated:

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4:7–9 NASB)

Paul uses the most fitting of words. He says ‘we are afflicted.’ The original idea is that of being pressed in a crowd, and so it comes to mean being oppressed by evil. But Paul states that even though being oppressed by evil, we are not crushed or restricted from freely going about our work for God.

He further states that we are perplexed, “not knowing how to proceed, determine, speak or act.”^[1] But in the midst of our perplexity we are not to be despairing, for the word implies to “be utterly destitute of measures or resources.”^[2] For we have an immeasurable amount of resources [i.e. the power of the Holy Spirit] and promises which God has placed at our disposal.

Paul goes on to say that while we are persecuted we are not forsaken. God has not left us out in the cold alone without a lifeline. For this is a promise that He made to Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5) and He has assured His people today of the same:

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”” (Hebrews 13:5 NASB)

And finally, even though we are stuck down we are not going to be destroyed. The word ‘destroyed’ could mean death, but one expositor stated that in this case “the idea is not extinction but ruin, loss, not of being, but of wellbeing.”^[3] Here Paul may be recounting the event of Acts 14:19 in Lystra when he was stoned (struck down) and dragged out of the city and where they assumed that he was dead – and yet he was able to get up and carry on with his ministry (v.20).

Just to put this into the context of the events of the day: the televised news events of violence and people being struck down and killed has been widely aired. Considering the growing disdain for Christianity in our culture, it is not beyond reason to believe that God’s people could find themselves at the blunt end of this type of violence.

Lastly: These verses provide hope for all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life to comprehend how God has provided for us in times of perplexing and anxious times.

We should remind ourselves that if we are still breathing, God still has a plan for our lives. A life that is eternally valuable and designed to glorify Him. A life that is characterized by His ultimate purpose: “that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body’ – even in the midst of the chaos and violence, we can be assured that “the power will be of God and not from ourselves.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, G639

^[2] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[3] Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 2.164