John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. For the fruit of the Spirit , &c.] 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, and truth ; the fruit of goodness, lies in sympathizing with persons in distress; in assisting such according to the abilities men have in a readiness to forgive offences and injuries; and in using meekness and candour in admonishing others: righteousness lies in living in obedience to the law of God; in attending the worship and service of him; and in discharging our duty to our fellow creatures; and this as goodness, is very imperfect, and not to be boasted of, or trusted to, nor is salvation to be expected from it: truth is opposed to lying, to hypocrisy, to error and falsehood; and where the Spirit of God, and the work of grace are, there will be more or less an appearance of these fruits.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-14 - Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded an detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Ou cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may ten to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places tha hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shal they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repen and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from who God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which bring down the wrath of God? Sinners, like men in the dark, are going the know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness ar unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have no only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measur shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the exampl of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead i sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM γαρ 1063 CONJ καρπος 2590 N-NSM του 3588 T-GSN πνευματος 4151 N-GSN εν 1722 PREP παση 3956 A-DSF αγαθωσυνη 19 N-DSF και 2532 CONJ δικαιοσυνη 1343 N-DSF και 2532 CONJ αληθεια 225 N-DSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Is in. Consists in. The verse is parenthetical.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:9 {The fruit of light} (ho karpos tou fwtos). Two metaphors (fruit, light) combined. See #Ga 5:22 for "the fruit of the Spirit." The late MSS. have "spirit" here in place of "light." {Goodness} (agaqosunei). Late and rare word from agaqos. See #2Th 1:11; Ga 5:22.
