What is the context?
Paul turns from the acts of the flesh to the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control describe the character of the life the Spirit produces.
He says there is no law against these things. They fit the life of love he has called the community to practice. Their source is the Spirit at work in those who belong to Christ.
Belonging to Christ also means that the flesh, with its passions and desires, has been crucified. Paul then joins the gift of life through the Spirit with the call to walk in step with Him. What God gives is to shape the believers’ daily conduct.
The closing warning makes that conduct especially practical: they must turn from conceit, provoking one another and envy. The fruit Paul names is to be seen in how they live with each other.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand the fruit as character produced through the Spirit’s work in Christ’s people, with the call to keep following His lead. Wesley’s notes on verses 22–26 and the USCCB notes on verses 19–25 connect this fruit with the changed life Paul describes.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Jesus’ picture of the vine and branches in John 15:1–8 gives a related picture of fruitfulness. The branches bear fruit as they remain in Him, and their fruit glorifies the Father.
This is a parallel to Paul’s description, rather than a claim that Jesus lists the same nine qualities there. Both passages connect a fruitful life with God’s work and an ongoing relationship with Christ. The change in His people serves the Father’s glory.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.