The Fruit of the Spirit

2. Galatians 5:22-23 The Fruit of the Spirit Goodness

3. Review • Now finishing the qualities primarily related to our dealings with our fellow man • Patience – “that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish” • Kindness – “the sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain”

4. Goodness • Greek agathosune • A general word for “good” which takes its meaning from context • In Gal 5:22, there is no large context other than the other qualities • So we will take two approaches • How the Greeks used the general word • Looking at NT examples of goodness

5. Justice vs Goodness • Greek writers often compared these two virtues to define both • “Justice is the quality that gives a man what is due him” • “Goodness is the quality which is out to do far more than that, and which desires to give a man all that is to his benefit and help” • “The man who is just sticks to the letter of his bond; the man who is good goes far beyond it.”

6. Good vs Evil • Mt 20:13-15 – Parable of the Laborers • “Evil” is translated “envious” (NASB) in v. 15 • “Good” is translated “generous” (NASB) • 1 Tim 6:17-19 • Being good is equated to being generous • Looking for a set limit on our responsibilities is not being good

7. Examples of “good” people • Barnabas – Acts 11:22-24 • He rejoiced with others progress (v. 23) • He encouraged others (v. 23) • Acts 4:36-37 • He was a generous man • Not just in words, but he was good in actions

8. Examples of “good” people • Dorcas – Acts 9:36-39 • v. 36 – “goodness” translated “kindness” (NASB) • She abounded in goodness and charity • She was generous with her time and efforts

9. Examples of “good” people • Jesus – our example in all things • Matt 9:2-7 • Man sought only healing • Jesus went beyond what man wanted • Jesus gave him what he needed • His death on the cross • More than we deserved (justice) • But what we truly needed (goodness) • Let’s look again at the Greeks’ definition of justice and goodness

10. Justice vs Goodness • Greek writers often compared these two virtues to define both • “Justice is the quality that gives a man what is due him” • “Goodness is the quality which is out to do far more than that, and which desires to give a man all that is to his benefit and help” • “The man who is just sticks to the letter of his bond; the man who is good goes far beyond it.”

11. Conclusion • Goodness is … • Doing more than what is expected • Going beyond what is required • Being generous with time, money, and efforts • Being generous with praise and encouragement Do we have the quality of goodness?