Fruit of the Spirit

by | Feb 21, 2024 | 03 Series, Topical

A 12-week Bible study podcast on the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23.

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

Ever wonder what Paul meant by love, joy, peace and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit? In this series, we explore the Bible to learn what Scripture teaches about these concepts and why Paul put them on the list. This series isn’t about definitions. It’s about discovering life-changing truths behind each fruit.

FREE Small Group Discussion Questions accompany this series:


Listen to episodes in this season below or on your favorite podcast app.

Fruit of the Spirit: Introduction to Galatians

As an introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit, we cover the entire argument of Galatians in one podcast. Understanding Galatians is the foundation for our study on the Fruit of the Spirit. In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Paul’s argument unfolds in two parts, based on humanity’s two biggest problems.
  • The Judaizers distorted the solution to both those problems.
  • Paul includes the fruit of the Spirit to support his claim that freedom from the Law does not promote sin.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on March 06, 2024. Season 24, episode 1.


Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1

A deep dive into Scripture to understand love as a fruit of the Spirit. Spoiler: It is not a feeling. In this episode, you’ll learn love as a fruit of the Spirit is:

  • not an emotion. It is a perspective change.
  • rooted in understanding our equality before God.
  • both a present reality and future hope. 
  • Greek Word: Strong’s G26.
  • Passages: Passages: 1Timothy 1:5; Leviticus 19:18; 1John 3:16-18; Luke 6:27-35.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on March 13, 2024. Season 24, episode 2.


Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2

Scripture teaches a second aspect to love as a fruit of the Spirit which concerns how believers relate to each other as a church and community. In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Love as a fruit of the Spirit is about how we act, not what we feel.
  • The way we respond to believers reveals how we respond to Jesus.
  • Our love for other believers is more than a nice idea. It’s a tangible demonstration of our faith.
  • Greek Word: Strong’s G26.
  • Passages: Matthew 10:40-42; John 13:34-35; Matthew 25:31-40; Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3-5; 1Peter 1:22-23.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on March 20, 2024. Season 24, episode 3.


Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

Scripture teaches believers have joy as a fruit of the Spirit in the middle of struggles. Joy is confidence based on hope. In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Joy often coexists with suffering.
  • While happiness depends on situation, joy stems from an confidence in God’s promises.
  • Joy results from knowing something good is coming our way and is more closely tied with hope than happiness.
  • Greek Word: Strong’s G5479.
  • Passages: 2Corinthians 6:3-11; 2Corinthians 8:1-2; James 1:2-4; Matthew 13:44; John 16:21; Luke 15:4-10; Matthew 28:5-8; Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalms 30:5; Galatians 5:25.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on March 27, 2024. Season 24, episode 4.


Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

We typically think of peace as fruit of the Spirit as “peace of mind.” But most often Scripture speaks of peace as unity among believers. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • The biblical usage of peace encompasses peace with God, inner calm amidst tribulation, and living harmoniously with others.
  • In context, Paul most likely means peace among believers.
  • Why churches experience so much strife if peace is a fruit of the Spirit.
  • Greek Word: Strong’s G1515.
  • Passages: Romans 5:1; John 16:32-33; Philippians 4:2-7; Ephesians 4:1-6.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on April 3, 2024. Season 24, episode 5.


Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Patience as a fruit of the Spirit results from belief. We are longsuffering because we fix our hope on the promises of the gospel. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Patience as a fruit of the Spirit is not passive endurance but hopeful endurance based on belief in God’s promises
  • Patience transcends mere waiting without complaint. It’s about being ‘slow to anger’ and exhibiting perseverance rooted in belief.
  • In Scripture patience often refers to our attitude towards personal hardships and our response to others’ faults.
  • Greek Word: Strong’s G3115.
  • Passages: Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrews 6:13-15; James 5:7-11; Colossians 1:11; 1Thessalonians 5:14-15.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on April 10, 2024. Season 24, episode 6.


Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Kindness as a fruit of the Spirit is not good deeds. Rooted in understanding God’s kindness, it’s intentionally acting to benefit others. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • God’s kindness is both a present reality and a future hope.
  • Kindness is an active choice to bring good to others despite their faults or actions towards us.
  • Biblical kindness is grounded in understanding God’s kindness toward us.
  • Greek Word: Strong’s G5544;
  • Passages: Titus 3:1-7; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 11;17-22; Luke 6:35; Luke 7:39-47; 1Thessalonians 5:15.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on April 17, 2024. Season 24, episode 7.


Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit isn’t doing random acts of kindness. Goodness is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is not doing random acts of kindness.
  • Goodness is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.
  • The modern definition of goodness is a pale imitation of the fruit of the Spirit.
  • Word: Strong’s G19.
  • Passages: Ephesians 5:1-12.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on April 24, 2024. Season 24, episode 8.


Fruit of the Spirit: Faith

Faith as a fruit of the Spirit is not a feeling or belief, but a transformative worldview based on four core convictions. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Faith is not positive thinking, confidence in yourself or believing without reason.
  • Saving faith consists of four core convictions which you must believe to be saved.
  • Faith is a life-long journey to stand firm in the gospel.
  • Word: Strong’s G4102.
  • Passages: Ephesians 6:10-17; 1Thessalonians 5:1-11; Philippians 1:23-26; 1Thessalonians 3:1-3.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on May 1, 2024. Season 24, episode 9.


Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

Gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit is not about being soft or timid. It involves humbly accepting what God gives without self-promotion or ambition. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Moses illustrates this quality. Despite his significant role, he did not seek personal glory or power.
  • Jesus illustrates this quality in his entry into Jerusalem, foot washing and how he describes his “yoke.”
  • James warns against people who lack this quality becoming teachers.
  • Word: Strong’s G4240.
  • Passages: Numbers 12:1-16; Psalm 27; Luke 14:7-11; Matthew 21:1-5; Matthew 11:28-30; James 3:13-14; Galatians 5:25-6:1; John 12:12-17.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on May 8, 2024. Season 24, episode 10.


Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control

While self-control might sound like a call to perfection, at its core self-control value the gospel more than our desires of the moment. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Self-Control is choosing to limit myself to follow God.
  • Self-control is not being flawless in speech and action.
  • As an example, Paul was willing to limit his freedoms for the sake of the gospel
  • Word: Strong’s G1466.
  • Passages: Acts 24:24-27; 1Corinthians 9:19-27; 2Peter 1:2-8.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on May 15, 2024. Season 24, episode 11.


Fruit of the Spirit: Summary

The fruit of the Spirit are not “feel-good vibes” or moral must-haves. They result from a seismic worldview. They grow from faith taking root in our souls. In this episode you’ll learn:

  • An analogy to understand the connection between worldview and salvation.
  • The 8 fundamental truths behind the fruit of the Spirit.
  • How to reconcile the fruit as a work of the Spirit with Paul’s exhortation to pursue them.

Teacher Krisan Marotta on May 22, 2024. Season 24, episode 12.


Related Series: Galatians: Living by Faith

Galatians Resources: Study Questions, Maps, Outlines & Background


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Copyright © 2024 · Krisan Marotta, WednesdayintheWord


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Podcast Season 24, episodes 1-12

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