The Fruit of Light.
We ought to read, "The Fruit of Light." It is all about light and darkness, as we see here. "Spirit" has been introduced instead of the word "light." The text should read, "The fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth."
I. Christ is the revealed God. Me came into the world to brighten it. The true Light now shines; it has continued and spread; it is going all round the world. There is light in the book; there is no such book of light anywhere as the Bible. But God has not put the light in His book merely, but in His people, that are called lights in the world.
II. How does the light tell? Why, by its simple presence. It reproves and exposes the darkness just by its presence. It has no need to make an assault on the darkness and say, "I am opposed to you and going to put you out"; it just puts it out by existing. The light from above shines into the hearts of believers, and that light is to be exhibited to men in their characters, and dispositions, and lives. Three words are here used to describe the fruit of the light, that is to say, three aspects of the Christian character: the good; the right; the true. (1) Goodness. Of course it is a comprehensive term opposed to all evil, but especially to all malice. St. Paul obviously means here kindness in feeling and act: kindness in feeling, which we call benevolence; kindness in act or deed, which we call beneficence. We want this living inherent goodness in ourselves, and then ours will be good deeds, goodness which finds its loving outlet without difficulty in words or works or patient and unselfish kindness. (2) What is the second point? Righteousness. That is opposed to all crookedness and dishonesty, and it is inseparable from the highest types of goodness. This is the very strength of our religion: that it maintains the eternal rule of right and twines its tenderness and its hopefulness round about the immutable pillars of justice. (3) Truth. Of course this is opposed to lying, which is one of the works of darkness, and must be put away. God desires truth in the inward parts, and He knows that naturally we have not got it. He puts truth into our heart by putting Christ into it.
D. Fraser, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 344.
Reference: Ephesians 5:11. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. iii., p. 137.