But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ver. 22. The fruit of the Spirit] The spirit of grace are those two golden pipes, Zechariah 4:12, through which the two olive branches empty out of themselves the golden oils of all precious graces into the candlestick, the Church. Hence grace is here and elsewhere called the fruits of the Spirit, pleasant fruits, Song of Solomon 4:16; Song of Solomon 6:2; John 15:16 .
Longsuffering] It hath been questioned by Aquinas whether a man can be longsuffering, sine auxilio gratiae, without the help of grace. But that which is right is a fruit of the Spirit.
Gentleness] Gr. χρηστατης. Usefulness, sweetness.
Faith] That is, faithfulness, asMatthew 23:23; 1 Timothy 5:12; Titus 2:10 .