Paragraph 5:22–23

In this paragraph, Paul reminded the Galatians that following the Spirit results in godly character. That godly character is in contrast to the works of the sinful nature.

5:22a

But: There is a contrast between 5:19–21 and 5:22. The contrast is between the “the acts of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit.” The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the word But.

Some other ways to show this contrast are:

In contrast
-or-
However

the fruit of the Spirit is: Here the word fruit is used in a figurative sense. It refers to the characteristics of a person whom the Spirit leads. The Holy Spirit living in a person produces these characteristics. In most languages, it will not be possible to use the word fruit in this figurative way.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the Spirit causes a person to
-or-
if a person is led by the Spirit, he is
-or-
what comes from the Spirit is
-or-
when the Spirit leads/guides a person, that person has the following behavior/characteristics:

5:22b–d

In this list, the focus is on Christian character. It is not a list of actions. In some languages, there are idioms for these characteristics.

Some of these words are similar, and some languages may have a term that covers two of these Greek words.

5:22b

love: Here the word love refers primarily to loving other people.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to love ?others?
-or-
he loves ?others?

joy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as joy means “gladness” and “happiness” that come from the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to rejoice
-or-
gladness
-or-
he is happy

peace: The Greek word that The Berean Standard Bible translates as peace refers to harmony and well-being.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to be at peace
-or-
calmness
-or-
he lives in harmony with others

5:22c

patience: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as patience refers to endurance or longsuffering. It characterizes a person who does not easily become angry, even when he is insulted. He is ready to forgive other people when they do wrong to him. He does not complain.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to be patient
-or-
tolerant with others
-or-
he endures whatever happens

kindness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kindness refers to kind actions towards other people.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to be kind to others
-or-
he is helpful/generous
-or-
to be considerate of people

goodness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as goodness is similar to kindness. This word refers to moral excellence, an upright character. Nothing bad can be said about such a person. It also includes generosity.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

uprightness
-or-
generosity
-or-
he does good to others

5:22d

faithfulness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithfulness refers to dependability and reliability.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

to be faithful
-or-
he is dependable/reliable
-or-
people can trust him
-or-
he does what he says he will do

See faith, Meaning 3 in the Glossary for more information.

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