Carrying Fruit (Ponderings in Colossians 1)

Colossians 1:7-10

 “Therefore we also, from the day on which we hear, do not cease praying for you and requesting that you may be filled full with the realization of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, you to walk worthily of the Lord for all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the realization of God;…”

“…bearing fruit in every good work…” became a highlighted phrase in my recent studies. Many times I have read that phrase and other instances of “bearing fruit” mentioned in the Bible and imagined in my mind fruit growing out of something or being produced by a deed done.  Every time I read that phrase in the past, I imagined fruit being produced—man bringing fruit out of whatever we are being instructed to do in the Scriptures. 

However, this time I decided to look up the original word for “bear” and “bearing” in the context of Colossians 1 and discovered that it is the word “karpophoreo” meaning to “carry fruit”.

Colossians 1:10 could read “…carrying fruit in every good work…”. 

I also couldn’t help but wonder specifically what fruit Paul was referring to and immediately my thoughts were led to the fruit of the Spirit.  Are we to be carrying around the fruit of the spirit in every good work?

“…the fruit [singular noun] of the spirit is love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control…”  (Galatians 5:22).

The FRUIT of the Spirit is

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Meekness
Self-control

I believe this is the fruit that we are to be carrying as is spoken of in Colossians 1:10.  We are to carry with us this one, beautifully multifaceted fruit.

“For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them.”  (Ephesians 2:10)

As Christ-believers walk in the “good works” that God has prepared and made ready for us beforehand, we will be carrying around with us the fruit of the Spirit because Christ dwells within us.  Mortal humans do not create this fruit.  We are incapable of it because we are not The Creator, and we are so fallible.  But, the Creator infuses us with Himself, His power, His Spirit, His Wisdom, and His fruit.  It all belongs to Him, and we have the humbling privilege of carrying His things around with us as we walk in the good works He has ordained for us to do. “…For in Him we are living and moving and are…”  (Acts 17:28).

Related posts: 

Filled Full (Ponderings in Colossians 1)

GOD, The Savior of All Mankind 
By God's Power (Ponderings in Colossians 1)