The Fruit of the Spirit
Quick answer: This page provides the passage on the Fruit of the Spirit in two public-domain translations, simple explanations of each of the nine qualities, and ten related Bible verses for reflection.
People often turn to this topic when looking to grow in character, resolve conflicts peacefully, or align their daily choices with practical spiritual virtues. The nine traits listed in scripture offer a helpful standard for how to treat others and manage personal attitudes. Reading about these qualities helps bring clarity when you want to respond with kindness rather than anger, build stronger relationships, or seek inner calm during challenging times.
On this page, you will see the passage shown above displaying all nine qualities in both the King James Version and the World English Bible. Below the primary text, you can read plain explanations for each quality, followed by ten carefully selected verses that deepen your understanding. Everything is provided free of charge, with no user accounts required, directly from clean public-domain text files for easy reference.
The passage
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Galatians 5:23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The King James Version uses older English words for some of the nine: longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), faith (faithfulness), meekness (gentleness) and temperance (self-control). The World English Bible prints the same passage in modern wording — which is why the two versions below read differently. The nine headings above follow the modern English list.
The nine qualities, one by one
- Love
Love is unselfish goodwill toward others that places their well-being first. It is expressed through practical acts of care, kindness, and patience regardless of circumstances.
- Joy
Joy is a steady, lasting sense of gladness rooted in trust. Unlike temporary happiness, it remains constant even during quiet moments or difficult trials.
- Peace
Peace is a calm quietness in your heart that keeps you steady during stressful times. It restores order to your thoughts and promotes quiet harmony in daily interactions with others.
- Forbearance (Patience)
Patience, also called forbearance, is the ability to endure delays, hardship, or difficult people without becoming angry, bitter, or hasty in your response.
- Kindness
Kindness is gentle concern for the needs of others. It shows itself through soft words, helpful deeds, and a friendly attitude toward everyone you meet.
- Goodness
Goodness means actively choosing what is right and doing beneficial things for others. It reflects a clean conscience, moral integrity, and practical honesty in all matters.
- Faithfulness
Faithfulness is steady loyalty, reliability, and practical honesty in every relationship. A faithful person keeps promises, remains dependable over time, and stays true to obligations.
- Gentleness
Gentleness is a humble, quiet strength that approaches others with care rather than harsh force. It seeks to soothe conflicts rather than escalate them.
- Self-control
Self-control is the discipline to manage your thoughts, words, and actions wisely. It prevents hasty reactions and keeps your impulses aligned with healthy choices.
Two of the nine get their own topic pages here: Bible verses about love and Bible verses about patience. To see where character growth is taught in story form, browse the parables of Jesus.
Related verses on the Spirit's work in character
These are related verses on the Spirit's work in character — the passage itself is printed in full above. They are printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible — switch between the two translations below.
- John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
- Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
- Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
- 1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
- Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
- Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
- Lamentations 3:23
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
- Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
- Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
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More related pages
The widely circulated short form with its attribution, plus ten verses on peace, trust and surrender.
Exodus 20:2–17 printed verse by verse in KJV and WEB, with the Deuteronomy parallel explained.
Fifteen love verses in KJV and WEB, with reflection notes and a verse-image maker.
Fifteen patience verses in KJV and WEB, with reflection notes and a verse-image maker.