In what way is love a fruit of the Holy Spirit?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit because it reflects God's own nature and is essential to every part of the Christian life. The Bible teaches that without love, even the most impressive spiritual actions are meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). This love—agape—is sacrificial, patient, humble, and enduring, empowered by the Spirit rather than produced by human effort (Galatians 5:22; John 15:13). From the Old Testament to the New, God's love is shown as steadfast and active, calling us to love both God and others in response (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37–40). As we walk in step with the Spirit, His love grows in us and overflows into every part of our lives (Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:12).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Love as a fruit of the Spirit is specifically addressed in the New Testament. However, love is who God is and what we are commanded to express beginning with loving God. Deuteronomy 6:5 shows that love for God is meant to be wholehearted and consuming—every part of our being directed toward Him. Though this is an Old Testament command, the ability to love God like this is ultimately fulfilled by the Spirit working within us (cf. Romans 5:5). As a fruit of the Spirit, love begins with God, flows through us, and is returned to Him in obedience and worship.
• In Leviticus 19:18, love is expressed through forgiveness, mercy, and right relationships. This verse is foundational to Jesus’ teaching and shows that genuine love involves sacrificial treatment of others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome bitterness and extend this kind of love—even when it’s not deserved.
• God’s love is steadfast, covenantal, and beyond measure (Psalm 103:11). As we receive and understand this love, the Spirit begins to bear that same enduring, faithful love in our lives. Love is not just a feeling—it’s a reflection of God’s unchanging character working in and through us.
• God’s love is pictured as tender guidance. He draws His people not with force but with affection (Hosea 11:4). When we are filled with the Spirit, we too become agents of God’s gentle love—leading others not with control, but with kindness and compassion that mirror His heart.
• Love brings peace and healing; it mends what hatred breaks (Proverbs 10:12). This kind of love—one that forgives and covers sin—is not natural to us. It is supernatural, produced by the Holy Spirit in the lives of those surrendered to Christ’s example.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Love for God and love for others sums up all the law because every command God gives is rooted in these two relationships. When we truly love God, we desire to honor Him, and when we love others, we seek their good—thereby fulfilling the heart of every commandment (Matthew 22:37–40; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14).
• Galatians 5:22–23 tells us that love is the fruit of the Spirit.
• First on the list of the Spirit's work in a believer's life is "love." This is not the lust of eros or even the brotherly affection of phileo. This is agape, the hard, sacrificial choice that sent Jesus to the cross; as John 15:13 says: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
• The most detailed description of agape love is found in 1 Corinthians 13: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing (vs. 1-3). These three verses speak of religion and ministry. Dynamic preaching, limitless knowledge, unshakeable faith, and even extreme charity are nothing without a conscious choice to seek the welfare of another beyond one's self.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 delves into the characteristics of agape love. The sacrificial choice to love is above honor and pride. Agape love chooses to be kind and patient in the face of insult. It is humble despite others' arrogance. It doesn't worry about honor or revenge. Because agape love is empowered by the Holy Spirit, it can ignore worldly values and focus on the hope that others will come to God, as well.
• 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 speaks of the permanence of agape love. Some gifts are temporary, but there will always be love. In eternity, when we have glorified bodies with sinless minds, the Holy Spirit will be able to manifest His character in us even more.
• In 1 John 4:8, it says that "God is love.” Agape love is essential to God’s very nature, so when we love—seeking to benefit others with no regard for the cost to ourselves—we show that we indeed know God.
• Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:5 and 16, that when Christian ministry is performed for the purpose of garnering attention, that attention is all the reward that will be given; God will not reward acts done for selfish motives. We must therefore prioritize doing ministry out of love for others—not attention, approval, or admiration.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Nothing can artificially manufacture the love of God in us. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. It grows in His presence. Philippians 2:13 points out a spiritual truth that we too often forget: "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Obedience, maturity, and successful ministry are only possible when we allow God to work through us. This truth needs to be kept in mind when contemplating the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. The "fruit"—or end results of work—is of the Spirit. It is not of our own effort. As we allow the Holy Spirit to change us, we can love God and love others as we should. "If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us" (1 John 4:12b).

UNDERSTAND

• Love, as a fruit of the Spirit, is selfless and reflects God's nature.
• Without love, spiritual actions and gifts have no value.
• The Holy Spirit enables believers to love God and others genuinely.

REFLECT

• How has the Holy Spirit grown selfless love in your life, and where might He be calling you to grow further?
• Are there any actions or ministries in your life where love needs to be the driving force instead of duty or recognition?
• How can you imitate the sacrificial love of Jesus in your relationships this week?

ENGAGE

• Why is love foundational to living out the Christian faith?
• How can we encourage others to pursue ministry, actions, and relationships out of love not obligation?
• What does it look like for us to rely on the Holy Spirit to grow the fruit of love in our lives rather than trying to manufacture it on our own?