Sunday Service Notes
April 19 2026
Galatians
The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)
The Fruit of the Spirit is singular.
When one aspect of the fruit is present, all aspects are present.
This fruit belongs to the Holy Spirit, not the grace believer.
We are able to use the fruit by being filled up where we lack by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
Love (Galatians 5:22)
Man’s quality of love is a willingness to sacrifice to gain something (Luke 11:43).
God’s quality of Love seeks the best for the one loved.
Love is the bond of maturity among the saints (Colossians 3:14).
Love is longsuffering (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Long suffering is a long holding out of one’s anger against unreasonable people.
Among the saints we are to exhort, warn the unruly, comfort the little-souled, uphold the weak, and be longsuffering towards all (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
The Lord is not slack concerning His promises but is longsuffering so that all have an opportunity to be saved (2 Peter 3:9).
As the elect of God, we are to walk worthy of our calling in humility and objectivity with long suffering among the saints (Ephesians 4:1–2).
God is long suffering towards the vessels of wrath (Romans 9:22).
Love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Kindness is making others feel at ease. It is a useful, friendly disposition.
The kindness of God leads a person to a change of mind (Romans 2:4).
Humans do not produce kindness (Romans 3:12).
Through God’s kindness and fondness of men, not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He washed and regenerated us (Titus 3:4–5).
Kindness is to be shown among the brethren (Colossians 3:12–13).
Love is not jealous (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Jealousy is an intense burning emotion towards an object or ideal. Out of a feeling of resentment comes the desire to have what another person possesses.
Jealousy is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20).
Jealousy may control a person’s mind (Acts 13:45).
Jealousy will cause a person to lie against the truth (James 3:14).
Jealousy will not produce anything of value (James 3:16).
In many English translations, Jealousy and Envy are mixed up. Envy is a malicious resentment towards the success or prosperity of another person.
Love does not heap praise on itself (1 Corinthians 13:4).
“Heaping of praise” is derived from braggart or vainglory.
Love is not a windbag about what it does.
Love is not puffed up (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Love will not puff itself up in an attempt to make itself look larger than it really is.
Puffing up comes from framing the mind in an improper manner (1 Corinthians 4:6).
The fleshly mind puffs men up (Colossians 2:18).
Permitting sin and unrighteousness among the assemblies will puff some of the saints up (1 Corinthians 5:2).
Love does not act in a dishonorable or disrespectful manner (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Acting unbecomingly comes from the concept of taking on an outward appearance; lacking a proper form.
Love does not conduct itself in an unbecoming, graceless, or dishonorable manner.
Love does not seek its own (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Since law is about seeking one’s own righteousness, love is not based upon law (Romans 10:3).
We are not to seek our own, but the well-being of fellow saints (1 Corinthians 10:24).
We are to seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1).
Love is not provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Provoke carries the senses of sharpening an implement; thus, it expresses an intense, sharp reaction.
We see the negative impact of provoking with Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16).
Love is not incited or irritated to the point of a sharp, intense reaction.
Love does not reckon wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Love will not put that which is wrong to a person’s account.
“Wrong” relates to that which lacks in character. It will not attribute something to someone that is false.
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 13:6).
Unrighteousness involves the trespasses in the mind and actions (1 John 5:17).
Love has no joyfulness from that which is wrong.
Love together rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
Truth is seeing things as they really are.
Love rejoiced with the truth.
Love endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
“Endure” comes from the idea of a roof that holds water out.
Love covers closely or protects; it keeps off or hold back.
The enduring of all things lest we hinder the gospel of the Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12).
Paul expressing that he can no longer bear his concern about the assembly in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:1).
Love bears the strain so that something that is precious is shielded rather than overwhelmed.
Love believes all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Love takes a person at their word.
Believe comes from faith, which requires a promise (Hebrews 11:1).
Love Hopes all Things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Hope is always based upon a promise (Romans 8:24–25).
Hope is not wishful thinking; it is an eager expectation.
Love Endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Endure comes from patience.
Patience is holding out under circumstances.
Enduring of child-training by God (Hebrews 12:7).
Enduring a temptation (James 1:12).
Enduring in tribulation (Romans 12:12).
Love never falls (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Fall is to fail under pressure (1 Corinthians 10:12–13).
Israel did not stumble to fall, but to give an opportunity for the Gentiles to receive salvation (Romans 11:11).
Now Abides Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The greatest of these is love.
Faith will come to an end (1 Peter 1:9).
Hope is based upon a promise. Promises will be fulfilled (Romans 8:24–25).
Love will continue into the ages.
We are commanded to Love other saints (John 13:34).
The one who loves God is loving the saints (1 John 4:20).
The one who does not love his fellows grace believer does not know God (1 John 4:8).
We are not to direct this love at the world, nor the things of the world (1 John 2:15).
Love in our lives is a result of being filled by the Holy Spirit.
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And let us consider one another in stirring up love and proper works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves, just as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews chapter 10:24–25).
In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, coming together face-to-face provides encouragement, clarity, and spiritual strength. At Word of Grace Studies, we gather because we value the opportunity to build up one another in truth, to stir up love and proper works, and to grow together in the faith. Whether you can come and fellowship with us or at a local assembly in your area, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, your presence matters—for your benefit and for the encouragement of others.
You’re always welcome to join us and experience the encouragement and connection that come from gathering together.