First Fruits of the Spirit

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:20-23

Romans 8 is a great chapter as it magnifies the great significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our lives. It starts out comparing the walk after the flesh to the walk after the spirit. The word 'flesh' represents our human qualities; the walk after the spirit reflects the holy spirit as it works in our lives. When Jesus said he had come that people might have life more than abundant (John 10:10). the spiritual walk is what is at the root of this abundant life.

Many people do not understand the effect of holy spirit in our lives and probably wouldn't have any concept of what is meant by  'first fruits' of the spirit.  'First fruits' refers to the  the earnest (partial down payment) of the of our full inheritance from God:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:12-14

One thing implied in the word 'first fruits' is that there is more coming  Depending on the context of how it is used it can refer to people (Romans 11:16, I Corinthians 15:20,23, I Corinthians 16:15, James 1:8, Romans 14:4), and first fruits of the spirit in Romans 8:23 as the new initial qualities that come with the spirit that are the earnest until the full manifestation of the redemption. This word is used 8 times in the New Testament (new beginning)

'First fruits of Achaia' indicate that there would be more of Achaia that would believe. Christ as the 'first fruit' of them that slept (I Corinthians 15:20) indicating that more resurrections would follow.

As far as the the first fruits of the spirit and its benefits, we don't exactly have the whole enchilada now as we are not living in the evil-free world of eternity. We have the expectation of eternal life which is what hope is more accurately. Now what we have  is power in the nine manifestations of holy spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-11), righteousness, sonship, justification, fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-24) and we are set apart from this world in not allowing it to effect our lives. We still live in this world and that's why 'groaning' occurs. Things are not perfect now but we look to the expectation that someday it will be:

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. I Corinthians 13:9-10

In the meantime, we have the first fruits of the spirit that enable us with power, love and a sound mind! (II Timothy 1:7).