Bible Verses About Fruit of the Spirit (KJV)
Bible verses about fruit of the Spirit in the King James Version: the nine fruits of Galatians 5:22-23, what each one means, and a prayer to grow in them.
A Reflection and a Prayer to Grow in the Spirit's Fruit
Notice that Saint Paul writes "the fruit" of the Spirit, singular, not "the fruits." Love, joy, peace and the rest are not a checklist of separate achievements. They are one life growing in us when we stay close to Christ, the vine. A branch does not strain to produce grapes. It stays attached and receives.
So the work is not trying harder. It is abiding: praying, receiving the sacraments, reading Scripture, and asking the Holy Spirit each morning to shape our hearts. Fruit takes time, and it grows in ordinary days.
A prayer to grow in the fruit of the Spirit
Holy Spirit, I want to belong to You more fully. Teach me to abide in Christ as a branch in the vine, so that what grows in me comes from Him and not from my own effort.
Where I am hard, give me love. Where I am anxious, give me peace. Where I am quick to anger, give me longsuffering. Make me gentle in my words, good in my choices, faithful in small things, meek in heart, and steady in self-control.
Let my life be a quiet gift to the people around me, and let it give glory to the Father. Amen.
The Nine Fruits in Galatians 5:22-23, and the Church's Twelve
The King James Version lists nine fruits. Some of its words are older English, so here is what each means:
- Love: willing the good of another, as Christ loves us.
- Joy: a deep gladness in God that does not depend on circumstances.
- Peace: a settled heart that trusts God.
- Longsuffering: patience with people and with trials, a long fuse.
- Gentleness: kindness in how we treat others.
- Goodness: a desire to do right and to give.
- Faith: faithfulness, being steady and trustworthy.
- Meekness: strength under control, humble and not harsh.
- Temperance: self-control over our appetites and impulses.
The Catholic tradition counts twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit, following the longer list in the Latin text of Galatians. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1832) names them as charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
A simple way to pray with them: each day this week, choose one fruit. Pray for it in the morning, look for a chance to practice it, and ask in the evening where it showed up and where you fell short. Then start again tomorrow, gently.
Scripture to Pray With
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 (KJV)
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25 (KJV)
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5 (KJV)
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:8 (KJV)
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Ephesians 5:9 (KJV)
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11 (KJV)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:12 (KJV)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17 (KJV)
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:20 (KJV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 9 fruits of the Spirit?
In the King James Version of Galatians 5:22-23 they are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
What is the fruit of the Spirit verse?
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Are there nine or twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit?
The King James text lists nine. The Catholic tradition lists twelve, as in the Catechism (1832), adding generosity, modesty and chastity and using words such as charity, patience, kindness and faithfulness.
How do you grow the fruit of the Spirit?
By staying close to Christ. John 15:5 says those who abide in Him bear much fruit. Prayer, Scripture, the sacraments and daily acts of love help the Holy Spirit form these qualities in us.
What does longsuffering mean in the Bible?
Longsuffering is an older English word for patience. It means bearing with difficult people and circumstances for a long time without giving way to anger.
Last updated 2026-10-14