Fruitage, in biblical terms, often refers to the produce or yield of plants, particularly trees, and is frequently used metaphorically to describe the results or outcomes of human actions and spiritual conditions. The concept of fruitage is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual growth.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, fruitage is primarily associated with the blessings of the land. The Promised Land is often described as a place of abundant fruitage, a sign of God's provision and favor. For instance, in Deuteronomy 8:8, the land is described as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey." The fruitage of the land is a tangible expression of God's covenant with Israel, promising prosperity and sustenance.

The concept of firstfruits is also significant, where the initial yield of the harvest is offered to God as an act of worship and acknowledgment of His provision (Exodus 23:19). This practice underscores the principle that all blessings come from God and that He deserves the first and best of what His people receive.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the metaphorical use of fruitage becomes more pronounced, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. Jesus frequently used agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the different types of soil represent the varied responses to the Word of God, with the fruitful soil symbolizing those who hear the word, understand it, and produce a bountiful harvest.

The Apostle Paul expands on this metaphor in his epistles, particularly in Galatians 5:22-23, where he describes the "fruit of the Spirit" as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This passage highlights the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, producing character traits that reflect the nature of Christ.

Spiritual Implications

Fruitage, in its spiritual sense, is indicative of a life aligned with God's will and purposes. Jesus emphasizes the importance of bearing good fruit as evidence of true discipleship. In John 15:5, He states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This passage underscores the necessity of abiding in Christ to produce spiritual fruit, which is pleasing to God.

Moreover, the concept of fruitage is linked to judgment and accountability. In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus warns that false prophets will be recognized by their fruits, implying that the authenticity of one's faith is demonstrated through their actions and the outcomes of their lives.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to bear fruit is both a privilege and a responsibility. It involves cultivating a relationship with God through prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to His commands. The process of bearing fruit is ongoing and requires perseverance, as illustrated in the metaphor of pruning in John 15:2, where God, as the vinedresser, prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will be even more fruitful.

In summary, fruitage in the Bible encompasses both the physical blessings of the land and the spiritual growth of individuals. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the results of living in accordance with God's will, reflecting His character, and fulfilling His purposes in the world.1. (n.) Fruit, collectively; fruit, in general; fruitery.

2. (n.) Product or result of any action; effect, good or ill.

Blighted Blossoms
... We can rejoice in those that are brought to fruitage; we can rejoice in those that
do mature; but how about the blossoms that fall and seem to leave nothing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk five blighted blossoms.htm

They came to be in his Presence
... And now I have come to this disgraceful end. This cross is the fruitage of those
thirty years spent with you and in the fulfilling of God's pleasure. ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/they came to be in.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... The life of the individual believer, his personal salvation, and personal Christian
graces have their being, bloom and fruitage in prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

The Flood-Tide of Power.
... The green beauty and rich fruitage of some parts of the Sacramento Valley, whose
soil is flooded by the artificial irrigation-rivers, are in sharp contrast ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the flood-tide of power.htm

Letter i. My Dear Friend, I Employed the Compelled and Most ...
... the genial sap of his activity from the columnar trunk, the sheltering leaves, the
bright and fragrant flower, and the foodful or medicinal fruitage, to the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter i my dear friend.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Peter.
... hearts, in order to give a lecture on Systematic Theology, but both scatter
seed-thoughts all over their inspired pages, which are abundant in fruitage to the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter viii entire sanctification as.htm

Hymn Before Meat
... dews, Plying lonely toils unwed. Orchard-groves now mellowed o'er Bounteously
their fruitage shed: See! like rain on forest floor ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iii hymn before meat.htm

More Fruit
... "That it may bear more fruit": do let us believe that as the owner of a vine does
everything to make the fruitage as rich and large as possible, the divine ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/more fruit.htm

The Mother of all Love-Words.
... for the yet higher. Now all this is at its native best in God. There only
does it reach finest fruitage. Some day we shall recognize ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the mother of all love-words.htm

"Behold Your God!"
... The missionary activities of the church of God on earth are bearing rich fruitage,
and soon the gospel message will have been proclaimed to all nations. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 26 behold your god.htm

Fruitage (4 Occurrences)
... fruitery. 2. (n.) Product or result of any action; effect, good or ill.
Multi-Version Concordance Fruitage (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy ...
/f/fruitage.htm - 7k

Increase (184 Occurrences)
... As a noun it is usually used of plant life, or of the herds and flocks, to denote
the fruitage or the offspring; more rarely of money, to denote the interest. ...
/i/increase.htm - 40k

Assurance (16 Occurrences)
... believer, as a life of spiritual doubt and uncertainty contradicts the ideal of
liberty in Christ Jesus which is the natural and necessary fruitage of "the ...
/a/assurance.htm - 16k

Fruitful (57 Occurrences)

/f/fruitful.htm - 24k

Golden (86 Occurrences)
... to the sacred fish at Carnion in Gilead and to the doves of Ascalon, as well as
to female prostitution and to Nature's "resurrection" and fruitage, had been ...
/g/golden.htm - 66k

Calf (39 Occurrences)
... to the sacred fish at Carnion in Gilead and to the doves of Ascalon, as well as
to female prostitution and to Nature's "resurrection" and fruitage, had been ...
/c/calf.htm - 49k

Fruit (318 Occurrences)

/f/fruit.htm - 40k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... The day stands for life, for his individual life, a life that in the order of things
should carry out the personal promise and fruitage for which it had been ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Tree (245 Occurrences)
... picture of the few Jerusalem, the river of water of life has the tree of life on
either side (22:2). Its leaf never fades and its monthly fruitage never fails. ...
/t/tree.htm - 75k

Life (6001 Occurrences)
... picture of the few Jerusalem, the river of water of life has the tree of life on
either side (22:2). Its leaf never fades and its monthly fruitage never fails. ...
/l/life.htm - 51k

Fruitage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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