Galatians 5:22, The Fruit of the Spirit Is Gentleness (Kindness)

The Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness (Kindness), Galatians 5:22

GENTLENESS, noun [See Gentle]. Dignity of birth. [Little Used].

1. Genteel behavior.

2. Softness of manners; mildness of temper; sweetness of disposition; meekness.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith. Galatians 5:22.

3. Kindness; benevolence.

4. Tenderness; mild treatment.

A. The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness

1. Kindness (KJV = gentleness) (5544) (chrestotes [word study] from adjective chrestos = useful, profitable in turn from chraomai = to furnish what is needed in turn from chráo = lend, furnish as a loan) is a gracious attitude, and thus describes the quality of being helpful and beneficial.

2. Kindness is an attribute of God (Romans 2:4-note being a good example; Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?) and a godly trait which the Spirit produces in the surrendered saint (contrast the unregenerate sinner - Romans 3:12--note They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. "no one who shows kindness (chrestotes)" NET) who as Trench says has this beautiful grace "pervading and penetrating their whole nature, mellowing all which would have been harsh and austere (and producing)...a goodness which has no edge, no sharpness in it." (Trench, R. C. Synonyms of the New Testament. Hendrickson Publishers. 2000).