What are the fruits of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) is the character the Holy Spirit produces in the believer — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Paul lists nine qualities he calls the «fruit (singular) of the Spirit» — they grow together as one fruit, not nine separate badges. Against such things, he says, there is no law.
The fruit is contrasted with the «works of the flesh» — the destructive things our sinful nature produces. The Spirit's fruit is what God grows in those who walk by the Spirit.
We do not manufacture fruit by trying harder. We grow it by abiding in Christ (John 15) and walking by the Spirit. The fruit appears slowly, naturally, over a life of obedient communion with God.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.