Fruits of the Spirit Bible Verses (Scripture & KJV)
The main fruit of the Spirit Bible verse is Galatians 5:22-23, which lists nine character qualities the Holy Spirit produces in a believer’s life. This page covers the verse in the King James Version, why older and modern translations word it differently, and a supporting scripture for each individual fruit.
For a full breakdown of what each fruit means and how they connect to one another, see the complete list of the fruits of the Spirit meaning and list.
Fruits of the Spirit Bible Verse (KJV)
The fruits of the Spirit KJV passage reads: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).
This verse follows directly after Paul’s list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, setting up a deliberate contrast between a life led by sinful desire and a life led by the Spirit. Verse 24 continues the thought, stating that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh, and verse 25 calls believers to “walk in the Spirit” as a practical outcome of that identity.
Where This Verse Sits in Galatians
Galatians 5:22-23 comes near the end of Paul’s letter, after two chapters spent arguing that righteousness comes through faith, not law-keeping. For the full context of how this fits into the letter as a whole, see the complete Galatians summary and chapter guide.
Having made that theological case, Paul turns practical: if the law is not the standard, what keeps a believer from moral chaos?
His answer is this fruit. Freedom in Christ is not freedom to sin, but freedom for the Spirit to produce a character the law could never actually create through external rule-keeping alone.
Why the KJV Uses Words Like Longsuffering and Temperance
The King James Version was translated in 1611, using formal theological English common to that era. Several of its word choices sound unfamiliar today but were precise, deliberate terms for translators at the time.
- Longsuffering: Combines “long” and “suffering” to describe enduring hardship over an extended period, the root meaning behind modern “patience.”
- Meekness: In 1611 English, this described restrained strength, not weakness, closely matching what modern translations call “gentleness.”
- Temperance: Originally meant moderation and self-restraint in all areas of life, later narrowed in popular use toward alcohol, though the KJV means the broader, older sense of self-control.
- Key Takeaway: The KJV’s older vocabulary is not a different meaning, just older English carrying the same nine qualities modern readers know by different names. This fruit describes character the Spirit produces over time, distinct from the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which describe specific abilities given for serving the church.
Fruit of the Spirit Scripture in Different Translations
Bible translations word this verse slightly differently, though all describe the same nine qualities. Comparing four major translations side by side clarifies where the differences actually lie.
| Fruit | KJV | NIV | NLT | ESV |
| 1 | Love | Love | Love | Love |
| 2 | Joy | Joy | Joy | Joy |
| 3 | Peace | Peace | Peace | Peace |
| 4 | Longsuffering | Forbearance | Patience | Patience |
| 5 | Gentleness | Kindness | Kindness | Kindness |
| 6 | Goodness | Goodness | Goodness | Goodness |
| 7 | Faith | Faithfulness | Faithfulness | Faithfulness |
| 8 | Meekness | Gentleness | Gentleness | Gentleness |
| 9 | Temperance | Self-control | Self-control | Self-control |
Key Takeaway: The KJV’s “gentleness” (word 5) and “meekness” (word 8) swap positions in modern translations, which is the single most common source of confusion when comparing the two side by side.
A Supporting Bible Verse for Each Fruit
Beyond Galatians 5:22-23, other passages throughout Scripture echo each individual fruit in a different context. These supporting verses help illustrate what each quality looks like when it is put into practice.
Love: John 13:34
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34, KJV). Jesus gives this command directly to His disciples the night before His crucifixion, tying love to His own example.
Joy: Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10, KJV). Spoken to a grieving crowd during a public Scripture reading, this verse ties joy directly to God rather than to circumstances.
Peace: Philippians 4:7
“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts” (Philippians 4:7, KJV). Paul writes this from prison, describing a peace that holds steady even in genuinely difficult circumstances.
Patience: James 1:4
“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire” (James 1:4, KJV). James connects patience directly to spiritual maturity, describing it as something trials are meant to produce.
Kindness: Ephesians 4:32
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (Ephesians 4:32, KJV). Paul links kindness directly to forgiveness, framing it as an active response to how God has treated the believer.
Goodness: Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6, KJV). David closes his most famous psalm by describing goodness as a lifelong companion, not an occasional experience.
Faithfulness: Lamentations 3:23
“Great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23, KJV). Written in the middle of a book mourning Jerusalem’s destruction, this verse presents God’s faithfulness as constant even amid genuine loss.
Gentleness: Philippians 4:5
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5, KJV). Paul ties gentleness to a public reputation, something others should be able to visibly recognize.
Self-Control: Proverbs 25:28
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down” (Proverbs 25:28, KJV). This proverb compares a lack of self-control to a city with no defensive walls, vulnerable from every direction.
Other Bible Passages About Bearing Fruit
Several other passages use fruit as a metaphor for spiritual life, offering additional context for how Galatians 5:22-23 fits into a wider biblical theme.
- John 15:1-5: Jesus describes Himself as the vine and believers as branches, stating that fruit only grows through staying connected to Him.
- Matthew 7:17-20: Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, warning that good character, not just words, reveals a person’s true spiritual state.
- Psalm 1:3: A righteous person is compared to a tree planted by rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in its proper season.
How to Memorize Galatians 5:22-23?
This verse is one of the most commonly memorized passages in Scripture, largely because its list structure lends itself naturally to repetition and grouping.
- Group in threes: Memorize love, joy, and peace as one set; patience, kindness, and goodness as the next; and faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as the last.
- Use the acronym LJPPKGFGS: The first letter of each fruit in order can serve as a simple memory anchor.
- Write it where you will see it daily: A sticky note, phone lock screen, or printed card keeps the verse in regular view.
- Say it aloud with the reference: Speaking “Galatians 5:22-23” before and after the verse anchors it to its source.
FAQs
What is the Bible verse for the fruit of the Spirit?
The Bible verse for the fruit of the Spirit is Galatians 5:22-23. It lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as the result of a Spirit-led life.
What does the KJV say about the fruit of the Spirit?
The KJV reads: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV), using older English terms than modern translations.
Why do different translations word the fruits differently?
Most translations keep the same nine qualities in the same order, but word choice differs. The KJV uses longsuffering, gentleness, and meekness, where modern translations often use patience, kindness, and gentleness instead.
Are there other Bible verses about the fruit of the Spirit?
Yes, verses like John 15:1-5 and Matthew 7:17-20 also describe spiritual fruit, using the imagery of a vine and a tree to explain how godly character grows out of a close relationship with Christ.
What is the difference between “fruits of the flesh” and “fruit of the Spirit” in scripture?
Fruits of the flesh appear in Galatians 5:19-21, listing sinful behaviors, while the fruit of the Spirit appears immediately after in Galatians 5:22-23, listing the opposite godly qualities produced by the Holy Spirit.
Is temperance the same as self-control in the Bible?
Yes, temperance is the KJV’s word for self-control. Both describe the same ninth fruit of the Spirit, the discipline to restrain personal impulses and desires that oppose godly living.
What is the easiest way to memorize Galatians 5:22-23?
Grouping the nine fruits into three sets of three—love and joy and peace, patience and kindness and goodness, and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control—makes the verse far easier to recall than memorizing it as one long list.
