The Fruit of the Spirit is

by J.V. Fesko

Every Christian should desire to manifest godliness and the fruit of the Spirit. Yet too often we try to achieve it by mere good intentions and efforts to pull ourselves up by our moral bootstraps. Such attempts always fall short of spiritual reality. Godliness should be a defining characteristic of Christians, so how does one obtain it? In this fascinating work John Fesko shows us that godliness comes through the work of the Holy Spirit and manifests itself as the fruit of the Spirit. We do not produce this fruit on our own, but rather Christ through his Spirit produces it in us.

Genres: Faith, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2011

About the author

J. V. Fesko graduated from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK, with an earned Ph.D. in theology. Dr. Fesko's interests include systematic theology, applied soteriology (union with Christ, justification and sanctification, and the ordo salutis), sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Reformed dogmatics, as well as the integration of biblical and systematic theology. He was the pastor of Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian church from 1998 to 2009. He is now presently the Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. He is also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Reviews

[Eddie Mercado · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick primer on the Fruit of the Spirit. Fesko spends the first half unpacking the Old Testament background to the Fruit of the Spirit, and in the second half gives pithy explanations of the Fruit as found in Galatians 5. Given its brevity (80 pages, took about 45 minutes to read), there is no surprise that the actual explanations of the Fruit of the Spirit are short. But this book serves as a good launchpad for further study, and with an emphasis on the means of grace, it is a good resource for Christians who want to study the fruit of the Spirit.

[Joe Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a quick read, and ultimately a primer for a dive into addressing the prompt of the title. The fruit of the spirit is.... expounded upon in these pages as it sets the framework of old testament texts, new testament and gospel application, and ultimately a definitive stance of what it ISNT. Additionally the text calls out how we aren't superficially aiming to produce this fruit by our own works, but allow God to produce the fruit within us by His spirit and seeking time in word, sacrament and prayer.

[Inwoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple, concise treatment of the fruit of the Spirit, with a special emphasis on the Old Testament connections and the importance of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the Fruit that we read of in Galatians. I loved how Fesko connected the Fruit back to the Exodus, Israel, and Isaiah’s prophecies. It reminded me so well of how the Spirit will work to transform my heart.

Even though the book is less than 100 pages, I still felt like he over-developed some concepts (an entire chapter re-describing creation-fall-redemption seemed unnecessary and inaccurate), and underdeveloped others (what each fruit does, how it connects to Christ —just read Jonathan Cruse’s book on the Fruit for this).

[Mark Trigsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read, profound truth!

Fesko does an exegetical of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians chapter 5, using a biblical theology as a background.

Warm and and convicting this will go on my list of books to read every year!!!!! Highly recommended!

[Omar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book does a great job of showing the Old Testament connections that ultimately lead Paul to speak of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Fesko does a great job of pointing back to the work of Holy Spirit in the Old Testament as a precursor to his work in the life of believers today. I would have appreciated if he had spent more time dealing with the individual fruit Paul mentions in his list. He briefly mentioned the OT connections to love, joy, and peace, but treated the other fruit very briefly. Well worth reading for those who are interested in biblical theology, or a different perspective on the Fruit of the Spirit passage in Galatians 5.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

When you order books sight unseen via the Internet, you sometimes have a notion that it will be one type of book, and after receiving it, find it something else. That was the case with this book, as I was expecting an exposition of Galatians 5:21-22. Instead, the real exposition was covered in one short chapter, while the author gave his opinion of the OT sources for this passage along with a dose of his covenant theology. Fesko is a prof at Westminster Seminary of California, so I guess I should have expected it.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fesko examines a familiar passage of Scripture from a new light, suggesting that Paul’s list of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 should not be seen as a group of individual characteristics to emulate, but rather as a comprehensive pattern of godliness that is only possible through total submission to Christ. Grounding his approach in the Old Testament, Fesko skillfully shows how this fruit can only be produced through an ever-growing reliance on Christ.

[Cameron Barham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and basic introduction to the fruit of the Spirit in the context of redemptive story.