Galatians 6:9

9 And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, [if we] do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing
This may be understood of well doing, or doing good works in general, of every sort; which are such as are done according to the will of God, from a principle of love to him, in faith, and in the name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God: or else acts of beneficence to Christ's ministers and poor in particular; which are agreeable to the mind of God, and wellpleasing in his sight: and in doing which men should not be weary; nor are they, when their spiritual strength is renewed, and grace is in exercise, though they may meet with many things which tend to discourage and make them weary; such as change in their own circumstances, losses in the world, the multitude of objects, the ungratefulness of some, and unworthiness of others:

for in due time we shall reap;
either in this world, sooner or later; in proper time, in God's own time, by enjoying an increase of the fruits of righteousness; for the seed sown shall spring up again; the bread that is cast on the waters will be found after many days; and such as honour the Lord with their substance shall be blessed with plenty of temporal good things, either they or theirs: or else in the other world, or at the end of this; which will be the harvest time, the reaping time, the time of enjoying eternal life:

if we faint not;
but continue to the end, persevere constantly in doing acts of beneficence, and patiently wait, as the husbandman does, for the precious fruits of the earth; for there must be a distance of time between sowing and reaping; men must not expect to reap as soon as they sow; and therefore should not be weary of sowing, nor impatient in waiting, though they do not see as yet the appearance of the fruits thereof; for in their season they will be seen and enjoyed.

Galatians 6:9 In-Context

7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked, for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap,

8 because the one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

9 And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, [if we] do not give up.

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all [people], and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my [own] hand.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[if]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("give up") which is understood as conditional