FoTS - Love

Welcome to a short little Bible study on The Fruit of The Spirit. A list of these fruits can be found in the Book of Galatians, Chapter 5.

Today's lesson is about the first fruit - Love. The key verses (v22-23), along with some context (v16-24) are where we'll spend most if our time. Paul is writing to the church in Galatia (Southern Turkey). He specifically taught in Antioch, Icomium, Lystra, and Derbe. The text:

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:16-25 ESV

Today we'll be reading what the Bible says about 'LOVE' and just what that looks like in today' world. First, let's look at the word 'love' to determine what kind of love Paul means.

The Interlinear Bible tells us the Greek word used for love in this verse is 'agape.' Why is that important? The Greek language has as many as nine different meanings for 'love.'

'Agape' love is defined as: "a holy, self‐giving disposition that originates in God, is displayed perfectly in Jesus Christ, and is implanted in believers by the Holy Spirit." - GotQuestions.org

Basically, it is a selfless feeling or act for, or to, someone else. Example:

"Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2

Questions:

1. Who do you love, unconditionally, in the agape meaning of the word?
2. How have you demonstrated agape love to others today?
3. Who would you be willing to sacrifice your life for?
4. What other acts of agape love can you think of?
5. In terms of agape love, what do you think He means when Jesus said, "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44)? He used the same agape word (agapate).

That's it for this time. The next time you see the 'FoTS' title, we will be talking about 'Joy.'