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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
He says not, "the work of the Spirit," but, "the fruit of the Spirit." Is the soul, however, superfluous? the flesh and the Spirit are mentioned, but where is the soul? is he discoursing of beings without a soul? for if the things of the flesh be evil, and those of the Spirit good, the soul must be superfluous. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Evil deeds come only from us. That is why he called them works of the flesh, which are at the same time performed with effort and strain. But good deeds require not only our diligence, but also assistance from above. That is why he called them the fruit of the Spirit, since from us is given the seed, that is, the will, but for it to become fruit — this depends on God. The root of all good things he places, first, in love, and then in joy. …
Oecumenius
He said "fruit" and not "work," in order to show that it needs the help of God in order to bear fruit. "of the Spirit." Concerning the same one of the Paraclete, or of the spiritual and virtuous life. "joy." To rejoice in God, to have a conscience. For such people rejoice.
Western Saints
Jerome
But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And what other should hold the chief place among the fruit of the Spirit, if not charity, without which the other virtues are not considered to be virtues, and from which all good things are born? …
Thomas Aquinas
Having listed the works of the flesh, the Apostle then manifests the works of the spirit. First, he manifests them; Secondly, he shows how the Law is related to the works of the spirit and to the works of the flesh (v. 23b). As to the first, he enumerates the spiritual goods which he calls "fruits." But here a question arises, because fruit is something we enjoy; but we should enjoy not our acts, but God alone. …
Bonaventure
From what has been said, therefore, it is clearly gathered that the habits of the virtues principally dispose one to the exercise of the active life; the habits, however, of the gifts to the repose of the contemplative life: while the habits of the beatitudes dispose to the perfection of both. The fruits of the Spirit, however, which are charity, joy, peace, patience, longanimity, goodness, benignity, mildness, faith, modesty, continence, chastity, denote the delights consequent upon perfect works.
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