Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

This verse concludes one of Paul’s prayers for the Philippians. Fruits of righteousness are good works that are produced in and through us. Notice that …

·        We can be filled with these fruits.

·        Fruits of righteousness are produced through us by Jesus Christ.

·        They are unto the glory and praise of God.

·        They are related to what Paul has prayed in the previous verses: Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

James uses the term ‘good fruits’ and ‘fruit of righteousness’: James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

We live in a world of evil. Our words and works get tested every day. Many times, our own passions and lusts work against us. The fruit of righteousness is produced in us even through temptation, testing, and chastening: Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

As I printed out these verses, I noticed that this fruit of righteousness is peaceable and without offence. We live in an evil world full of anxiety and worry. As we minister to others, we do it in a peaceable and gentle manner. We are loving, gracious, and merciful to others. We remember it is God working in us.



Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry