Many times we use the word Love but what do we mean especially in the Christian context? What does it mean to love someone? Well Love is GOD and GOD is Love. This is the broad definition but GOD is sooo vast so for some time now we have been considering various facets of his nature which constitute parts or segments of what it means to love. We have already taken a look at Agape as used in Eph 5. We have also taken a look at the 1 Cor 13 exegeses on how to practically live out love.

Today we’ll consider the Galatians 5:22 dimension i.e. the Spirit dimension of love i.e. agape. Let us first take a look at our text from a couple of translations:

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

What do we glean from these two verses?

First, Love (i.e. God in and through us) is a fruit of the Spirit. What does this mean? It is speaking with reference to the origin or source of Love. Love originates or comes from the Spirit. Why is this so? Because Holy Ghost is GOD and GOD is Love (1 John 4:8). Hence only GOD can be the origin or source of what He is. Love is the effect of GOD. Put differently it results from GOD.

That means those who do not have a relationship with the Holy Ghost are not capable of this kind of Love.

The next thing we glean from this verse is that the word “fruit” is singular. Why does it not read “fruits”? The answer is because Apostle Paul is speaking of one fruit or product of GOD or Holy Ghost. That fruit is Love but Love has constituents and that is what follows.

The Constituents of Love

Love is made up of many constituents. It length, depth, breadth and height is that of GOD. We cannot possibly comprehend all that GOD is made up of in a whole lifetime but at least the Apostle gives us a sample. Love is made up of joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance etc. To understand Love we have to understand what each of these sample constituents is. Let’s begin:

JOY: Part of love is joy. What is Joy? The Apostle used the Greek word chara. What does it mean? It is defined as gladness, calm, delight, cheerful etc. Hence if I loved someone or something, it would mean that I delighted in them or am cheerful towards them.

PEACE: The Greek word utilised by Apostle Paul in this portion of scripture is eirēnē. It is defined as quietness, tranquillity, rest, prosperity, harmony, concord, security, safety, prosperity, felicity. It is the exemption from the rage and havoc of war. Part of what it means to love is to be at peace i.e. at rest. When GOD loves us, we abide in His rest, safety and prosperity.

LONGSUFFERING: makrothumia is the Greek word used here and it is defined as longanimity, fortitude, patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs etc. If we love someone, we’ll be patient with them and not seek revenge for wrongs done us.

GENTLENESS: chrēstotēs is defined as moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness etc. It is usefulness, that is, moral excellence in character or demeanor. If we love a person, we’ll be kind towards them and we our word will be our bond to them i.e. integrity.

GOODNESS: agathōsunē referring to goodness, that is, virtue or beneficence. It speaks of uprightness of heart and life and kindness.

FAITH: The Greek word employed here is pistis. It refers to persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction, assurance, belief, faith, fidelity etc. To love someone is to believe in them.

MEEKNESS: From the Greek word praotēs, it’s defined as gentleness or mildness and by implication refers to humility. Love is not proud or haughty. Some couples are meek in private but once they are in public, they suddenly develop the urge to assert themselves or become haughty. This is not love. As we saw with makrothumia, Love is constant. It does not fluctuate.

TEMPERANCE: It was translated from a transliterated word egkrateia which is defined as self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites).

All of the above form segments of the nature of GOD who is the true definition of Love. Since we are made in His image and Like-ness or like him, we too possess this nature in our born again new creation nature. This is how born again folks love GOD and one another. This is how husbands and wives love each other.

The last two words in the verses quoted above tells us that Love is not a function of the Law but rather of Grace and Truth. It is impossible to Love fully without being under Grace and Truth.

PS:

All definitions are taken from the Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries and Thayer’s Greek Definitions.