Today’s “fruit” sounds nearly generic.

“Goodness,” wrote the Apostle Paul, is one of the Traits of Almighty God!

Here is the list as it has developed so far: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, (and now today) GOODNESS …” Galatians 5:22

Its parent word, the Greek noun “agathosune,” is only used 4 times in all the New Testament, as a NOUN mind you. But as an adjective, I count 102 more times! 

Paul was thrilled that the Christians in Rome were “full of goodness.” Romans 15:14, using our very word today, “agathosune.” (Being “full of the Spirit” then implies being “full of this kind of goodness!”)

Then in Ephesians 5:9-10 (Paul’s abbreviated list of the “fruit of the Spirit”) the word once again appears. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all GOODNESS and righteousness and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” 

And here’s what I consider a key verse about “goodness,” 2 Thessalonians 1:11, where “goodness” is simply one of God’s Attributes … shared with mankind, with people who have trusted Jesus specifically. “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of HIS (God’s) GOODNESS, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you ….” 

Now that we have seen how the Holy Spirit (the True Author of Scripture) uses this little noun, we can maybe define it more clearly.

One scholar does so this way: “Goodness is that magnanimous generosity in an individual which issues in his or her GOING BEYOND what is merely required by community standards.” 

Doing MORE than is asked or expected!

Another Greek teacher suggests that “gentleness” and “goodness” (both in our “Fruit” List) are closely related. But that “goodness” is far more outward in its reach, in its activity! Often fervent activity at that!

One might say that “goodness” is “kindness” on steroids!

Going the second mile!

“Good Samaritan” (I know that sounds redundant) goodness, perhaps! That which keeps on doing and doing! Helping and helping!

Wow!

Now to apply, do YOU know anyone today to whom you can “be good?”

Who might be encouraged by the “kindness in action” (in abundant plentitude) the Holy Spirit is “growing” in you as a born-again Christian?

If so, you now know what “to do.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh, may we all (in the sense of today’s Lesson, today’s “word”) BE GOOD! 

 

The indwelling Holy Spirit (a condition true only of genuine Christians) seeks to produce in us the grace (spiritual trait) of “gentleness.” 

As in: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith …” Galatians 5:22, plus two more to come, “meekness and temperance.”

In Greek “gentleness” is “chrestotes.”

A noun which is only found 10 times in the New Testament, always in Paul’s writings/letters!

It is variously translated (in the King James Version) as “goodness” 4 times, and “kindness” 4 more times and then simply “good” 1 time. Plus our Text here , where it is rendered as “gentleness,” but just this once!

In Romans 2:4 we are succinctly told that “The GOODNESS of God leadeth to repentance.” That’s our word, chrestotes! This is the first time it occurs in the New Testament.

Apparently, based on Romans 3:12, this “gentleness/goodness” is a “rare find” in mankind, in humanity! “There is none that doeth GOOD, no, not one.”

Wow!

Ephesians 2:7 teaches me (informs me) that God’s “gentleness/kindness” is eternal! (So growing this kind of “fruit” in our lives is, in a way, just becoming more like our God in Heaven!)

And Titus 3:4 declares that Jesus is the very “epitome” of  this “kindness!”  When Jesus came to earth … “kindness” came as well!

But when our noun “kindness” become an adjective, then being spelled “chrestos,” Bible writers other than Paul employ it. Peter does, for example: “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is GRACIOUS.” 1 Peter 2:3, but the very same truths are still being emphasized.

I guess you could summarize “gentleness” this way, based on the foregoing Scripture. Treating others the same way God has treated you! 

In the Greek Old Testament, God’s very judgments are even declared to be “gentle” or “kind!” In Psalm 119:39 this is so. Where the Psalmist begs: “Turn away my reproach which I fear: for Thy judgments are good (chrestos).” Wow, what a prayer!

Yes, “gentleness” is bringing one of God’s most prominent attributes into our hearts and sharing it with others, from family to friends and ultimately (whenever possible) to everyone!

One Greek scholar, from many years ago, always defined our word as: “The inability to be harsh!” I guess I will never forget that “catchy” little line.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is then the Spirit of “kindness!” 

And may He so endow us!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

One more quick instance please. When Jesus taught: “My yoke is EASY and My burden is light,” (Matthew 11:30) our King James translators chose “chrestos” for the English adjective “easy!”

A GENTLE Saviour, indeed!

 

Good Monday morning!

Let’s continue our study of what Paul calls “the fruit of the Spirit.” 

Now today we add to the list “longsuffering.” 

Of  course (as I just said) we’re merely following Paul the Apostle, master list-builder!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance,” Galatians 5:22-23 … this well know and admirable “list of nine!”

But for sure … “longsuffering” now has become a rather archaic word. (In the Greek language “arche” simply means “beginning.”)

Spelled “makrothumia,” the noun is compound, a “blend” of a preposition with a noun!

The prefix/preposition “makro” means “of great length,” or “long lasting.” It may ultimately even relate to “megas,” meaning “big, great, huge!” 

Then we must add “thumos,” indicating “passion, fierceness, indignation,” and then “anger or wrath!” Very intensive emotion, definitely!

Put these two words (ideas) together and we get “anger” that does not erupt quickly! Or … anger/wrath that is slow developing! 

One scholar says “longsuffering” is “forbearance,” or simply “putting up with something” without exploding so easily, so quickly!

Wow!

Now let’s look at how “makrothumia” is used in the New Testament. Noticing how God the Holy Spirit (the True Author of Scripture) uses the term.

I find the word 14 times in all, including our Text here today. Below is a sampling (though just a couple) of these … with a brief comment or two.

Here’s its very first use, first appearance in the New Testament: Romans 2:4 … “Or despisest thou the riches of His (God’s) goodness and forbearance and LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia); not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” We Christians can thus exercise (show) longsuffering because God has first shown it to, toward us!

But for sure the preponderance of times “makrothumia” is used in he Bible it applies to us Believers in Jesus! (The Latin verb “pondere” means “to make heavy.”)

As in Paul’s Colossians list of what is essentially the fruit of the Spirit, just worded differently! Colossians 3:12-13 … “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, LONGSUFFERING; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Putting up with one another graciously, without harsh interaction!) 

Wow!

One more general “thought” or “rule” about longsuffering. Though occasionally translated “patience” (2 times of the 14 times it’s used in the New Testament) “makrothumia” generally suggests a “non-hasty (or rash) reaction” to PEOPLE! Those especially hard to love people in our lives. They do appear on the horizon from time to time, don’t they! Whereas “hupomone” (the other New Testament word for “patience”) generally deals with non-violent reactions … to THINGS! 

Wow!

“Longsuffering” then is in reality the very opposite of being “short tempered!” 

God, grant it in our lives!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE …” Galatians 5:22, where “peace” the last member of the first triad of these marvelous graces! (Three “sets” of threes! Do you remember the recent Lesson on the “order” of this list?)

And what a rich heritage this noun “peace” enjoys.

The word is “eirene” but it is the normal translation of the Hebrew noun “shalom!” The great (vast in scope) Old Testament word for “peace.”

Wow!

Peace indeed!

The Greek “eirene” is actually derived from a root verb (“eiro”) which means “to join together!”

As when two former enemies have now been “joined together” in some sort of pact, treaty, cease-fire! No longer at war, but in harmony!

As when a husband and wife no longer talk of divorce, but have been “joined together” in renewed (fervent) love for each other!

As when a sinner, long at war with God, has now (via the Blood of Jesus) been “joined together” with God, having met at the foot of the old rugged Cross! Reconciled! Now enjoying “atonement!” Truly … at peace with Almighty God!

Wow again!

But this peace the Holy Spirit births in our hearts is even more than the foregoing!

What I have described so far is “peace WITH God,” for example. In other words, you are no longer under God’s Wrath! No longer condemned to Hell!

But this “eirene” gift also brings the “peace OF God” to us!

Meaning that I can enjoy the very peace that God has in His Heart (!!!) … no matter how boisterous outward conditions may be!

“Peace in the mist of storm,” as the hymn writer noted!

Yes, God’s very Peace!

“Peace I leave with you, MY PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus, in John 14:27.

Yes, again … the Peace of God!

Via The dear Holy Spirit of Peace!

Enjoy Him today!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Years ago I heard a wise Preacher say, “Joy (here in our “fruit of the Spirit” list) is merely love (agape) smiling, rejoicing! In other words, the one leads to the other!

Would there ever be any joy … without love?

Paul preached it, more than once apparently: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.”

And, as you can already tell, we are (studying) on the second of these graces today.

The Greek word for “joy” is “chara.” It is used as a noun 59 times in the New Testament. And as a verb (“chairo”) 74 more times. (Then we can rightly conclude … “the New Testament is a rather JOYFUL Book,” isn’t it?)

To define “chara” … “gladness” is about the best I can do!

But it is not merely human joy, happiness! It is “joy in the Lord!” It is joy as a “fruit of the Spirit!” It is joy as a result of being “right with God!” In fact, “chara” (joy) is grammatically, etymologically related to the Greek noun “charis” (grace)! One likely never knows the true joy of God in his or her life … apart from already knowing the Grace of God in that heart!

Wow!

This Quality (joy) meant so much to the Godhead, then to the early Christians who were truly saved … that they even used the verb (“chairo”) as a greeting!

This is how James began his Epistle. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, GREETING.” James 1:1 where “greeting” is the verb “chairo!” Literally the sentence is “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, REJOICE!”

Even angels use such language! “And the angel (Gabriel) came in unto her (the Virgin Mary), and said, HAIL, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Luke 1:28, where “Hail” is “chairo!” As in: “And the angel came in unto her, and said, REJOICE, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Even the Resurrected Jesus did this! “And as they (a group of ladies) went to tell his disciples (about the Resurrection), behold, Jesus met them, saying, ALL HAIL (“chairo” … REJOICE). And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.”

Joy that comes from Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit!

Joy that cannot be described, not adequately! “Whom (Jesus) having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy UNSPEAKABLE and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8, “joy unspeakable,” (a+ek+laleo), Greek for “that cannot be exposited, cannot be spoken!” 

This joy permeates every area of life for the Christian.

We are happy people!

No mater the circumstances!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Praise the Lord!