Fruit of the Spirit: Introduction

As an introduction to the fruit of the Spirit, we’ll cover the entire argument of Galatians in one podcast. Understanding the themes of Galatians is the foundation for our study on the Fruit of the Spirit. Knowing the context surrounding the list is the crucial first step.

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Key Points

• Paul wrote to churches he established during his first missionary journey in the region of modern-day Turkey.
• His primary purpose in the letter is to correct the teachings of the Judaizers who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law to be saved.
• Paul spends most of the letter defending his apostolic authority and arguing that salvation is through faith in Jesus alone.
• Paul’s argument unfolds in two parts. We human beings have two big problems that the gospel solves. First, we are guilty before God and one day we will face Him in judgment. Second, we are guilty because by nature we are sinners. 
• The gospel is incredibly good news because it solves both those problems.
• The Judaizers distorted both parts of the gospel message by claiming Jesus alone does not solve our problems, we must also keep the Law.
• In Galatians 5 where we find the fruit of the Spirit, Paul refutes the idea that freedom from the law promotes sin.
• The Law only changes our external behavior and does not to improve our characters or free us from sin.
• However, God gives His Spirit to those who trust Jesus. The Spirit teaches us truth and changes us from the inside out, which is true moral transformation.
• In Galatians 5, Paul gives both the negative list of the results of legalism and following our own unredeemed moral choices. And, he gives us the positive list of the kinds of things the Spirit produces in us.

Overview of Galatians

• The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia. These are churches in what’s now modern Turkey. Paul founded these churches during his first missionary journey.
• When he returned to Antioch, three crisis events occurred:

1. Jews from Jerusalem arrived teaching that Gentile believers must keep the law in order to be saved. We call this group the Judaizers.
2. Paul rebuked Peter for no longer eating with Gentiles.
3. Paul received troubling news from the recently formed churches of Galatia that they had also been troubled by the Judaizers. He wrote this letter of Galatians in response.

• In Galatians 1-2, Paul defends his authority as an apostle. He is one of the select few to whom Jesus revealed the gospel. The gospel he preaches is true and it is the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Galatians 3-4 form the main body of the letter. In these chapters, Paul makes a series of five arguments for the fact that everyone is saved by faith alone. No one will receive eternal life because they kept the law. Only those who have faith in Jesus will receive eternal life.
• In Galatians 5-6, where find this list of the fruit of the Spirit, Paul gives a series of exhortations concerning how they are to live. The first is freedom from the law is not an excuse to pursue a lifestyle of sin. Then he exhorts them to be humble and love others. He exhorts them to invest in the truth. Finally, he exhorts them to pursue doing what is good.

More: Who were the Judaizers?

Map: Paul’s missionary journeys

More: What is the Gospel

More: Who is the Holy Spirit

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1

Series: Fruit of the Spirit

Photo by Bill Williams on Unsplash

Season 24, episode 01