Relationship Between Ephesians 6 and Galatians 5 Fruits

The concept of "fruit" is a recurring theme in the New Testament epistles, particularly in Galatians and Ephesians. In Galatians 5:22, the apostle Paul writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith" ^[1]. Similarly, in Ephesians 5:9, Paul mentions "the fruit of the light" which consists "in all goodness and righteousness and truth" ^[3].

The literary context of Galatians 5 and Ephesians 5 is crucial in understanding the relationship between the two passages. In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit", emphasizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers ^[4]. In Ephesians 5, Paul exhorts believers to "walk as children of light" and to "have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness" ^[5].

A closer examination of the two passages reveals that while Galatians 5:22 lists specific fruits of the Spirit, Ephesians 5:9 provides a more general description of the fruit of the light. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the fruit of the light in Ephesians 5:9 is characterized by "all goodness, righteousness, and truth", which is in contrast to the "unfruitful works of darkness" ^[6].

The historical setting of both epistles is also significant. Galatians was written to address the issue of Judaizers who were promoting circumcision and legalism among the Gentile converts ^[7]. Ephesians, on the other hand, was written to emphasize the unity of believers in Christ and to exhort them to live a life worthy of their calling.

One of the key terms in both passages is the concept of "fruit". In Galatians 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit is a collective term that encompasses various virtues such as love, joy, and peace. In Ephesians 5:9, the fruit of the light is also a collective term that includes goodness, righteousness, and truth. According to Adam Clarke, the fruit of the Spirit is a result of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, just as a good tree produces good fruit ^[9].

The major exegetical decision in both passages revolves around the interpretation of the term "fruit". Some traditions interpret the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 as a reference to the internal graces of the Spirit, while others see it as a reference to the external manifestations of the Spirit's work ^[10].

The range of interpretations on the relationship between Ephesians 6 and Galatians 5 fruits is diverse. Some commentators see the two passages as complementary, emphasizing the importance of living a life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit ^[8]. Others see the two passages as addressing different aspects of the Christian life, with Galatians 5 focusing on the internal work of the Spirit and Ephesians 5 emphasizing the external manifestation of the Spirit's work.

In tradition, the concept of fruit has played a significant role in shaping Christian theology and practice. The fruit of the Spirit has been seen as a key indicator of a believer's spiritual maturity and a manifestation of their union with Christ ^[2].

Sources

Galatians “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, -- Galatians 5:22”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 3:6 cross-references: Romans 8:15, Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Galatians 3:14, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 2:13, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 5:7, Ephesians 5:30, Colossians 2:19, 1 John 1:3, 1 John 2:25”
Ephesians “for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, -- Ephesians 5:9”
Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 5:19: Confirming Gal 5:18, by showing the contrariety between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. manifest--The hidden fleshly principle betrays itself palpably by its works, so that these are not hard to discover, and leave no doubt that they come not from the Spirit. which are these--Greek, "such as," for instance. Adultery--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. lasciviousness--rather, "wantonness" petulance, capricious insolence; it may display itself in "lasciviousness," but not necessarily or constantly so (Mar 7:21-22, where it ”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:11: unfruitful works of darkness--Sins are terminated in themselves, and therefore are called "works," not "fruits" (Gal 5:19, Gal 5:22). Their only fruit is that which is not in a true sense fruit (Deu 32:32), namely, "death" (Rom 6:21; Gal 6:8). Plants cannot bear "fruit" in the absence of light. Sin is "darkness," and its parent is the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12). Graces, on the other hand, as flourishing in "the light," are reproductive, and abound in fruits; which, as harmoniously combining in one whole, are termed (in the singular) "the FRUIT of”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:9: fruit of the Spirit--taken by transcribers from Gal 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [ALFORD; but BENGEL, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to 'malice,' Eph 4:31], righteousness [opposed to 'covetousness,' Eph 5:3] and truth [opposed to 'lying,' Eph 4:25]."”
Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5 (introduction): The apostle exhorts the Galatians to stand fast in the liberty of the Gospel, and not by receiving circumcision bring themselves into a yoke of bondage, Gal 5:1-4. Shows the superior excellence of Christianity, Gal 5:5, Gal 5:6. Mentions their former steadiness, and warns them against the bad doctrine which was then preached among them, Gal 5:7-9. Expresses his confidence that they will yet return; and shows that he who perverted them shall bear his own punishment, Gal 5:10-12. States that they are called to liberty, and that love is the fulfilling of”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:8: For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read "the fruit of light"; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light, is in all goodness, and righteousness, ”
Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit - Both flesh - the sinful dispositions of the human heart and spirit - the changed or purified state of the soul, by the grace and Spirit of God, are represented by the apostle as trees, one yielding good the other bad fruit; the productions of each being according to the nature of the tree, as the tree is according to the nature of the seed from which it sprung. The bad seed produced a bad tree, yielding all manner of bad fruit; the good seed produced a good tree, bringing forth fruits of the most excellent kind. The tree of the flesh”
Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:21: But the fruit of the Spirit,.... Not of nature or man's free will, as corrupted by sin, for no good fruit springs from thence; but either of the internal principle of grace, called the Spirit, Gal 5:17 or rather of the Holy Spirit, as the Ethiopic version reads it; the graces of which are called "fruit", and not "works", as the actions of the flesh are; because they are owing to divine influence efficacy, and bounty, as the fruits of the earth are, to which the allusion is; and not to a man's self, to the power and principles of nature; and because they arise from ”

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