How does Ephesians 5:9 connect with Galatians 5:22-23 on the fruit of the Spirit? Verse in Focus “For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (Ephesians 5:9) The Same Orchard: “Light” and “Spirit” • Ephesians calls the product of new life “fruit of the light” because the context is walking as “children of light” (5:8). • Galatians lists “fruit of the Spirit” because the issue is living by the Spirit rather than the flesh (5:16). • Different metaphors, same reality: the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) produces visible character that shines like light. Overlap You Can Taste • Goodness appears in both lists outright. • Righteousness in Ephesians stands alongside faithfulness and self-control in Galatians—each word describes moral integrity. • Truth parallels love and gentleness in that all are honest, transparent ways of living (1 John 3:18). • Together the two passages give a fuller portrait of Spirit-born character—nine traits in Galatians, three umbrella terms in Ephesians. Why Three Words in Ephesians? Paul is urging believers to expose darkness (5:11). He clusters the fruit into three broad beams that reveal: 1. Goodness – benevolent action toward others (Acts 10:38) 2. Righteousness – conduct aligned with God’s standards (1 John 3:7) 3. Truth – sincerity and doctrinal fidelity (John 17:17) Living Out the Connection • Abide in Christ, the true Light (John 15:4; 8:12). His life flows by the Spirit, producing the Galatians list and the Ephesians trio. • Let the Word dwell richly (Colossians 3:16). Scripture supplies the clarity needed to walk in “truth.” • Choose the Spirit over the flesh moment by moment (Galatians 5:16–18). The fruit grows as the flesh is starved. • Serve others in concrete goodness (Titus 3:14). Light is meant to be seen (Matthew 5:16). • Stand for what is right even when costly (Philippians 1:11). Righteousness proves the fruit’s authenticity. One Root, Many Fruits Whether Paul says “fruit of the light” or “fruit of the Spirit,” he is describing the singular outcome of salvation: the life of Christ reproduced in His people, radiant in goodness, righteousness, and truth, and displayed through the ninefold cluster of Galatians 5:22-23. |
    |