Galatians 6 · Verse 10

Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10, King James Version

Galatians 6:10 in other translations

BSB	Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
WEB	So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
ASV	So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
YLT	therefore, then, as we have opportunity, may we work the good to all, and especially unto those of the household of the faith.
DARBY	So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.
BBE	So then, as we have the chance, let us do good to all men, and specially to those who are of the family of the faith.
Webster	As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.

What does Galatians 6:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. Translate, "So then, according as (that is, in proportion as) we have season (that is, opportunity), let us work (a distinct Greek verb from that for "do," in Ga 6:9) that which is (in each case) good." As thou art able, and while thou art able, and when thou art able (Ec 9:10). We have now the "season" for sowing, as also there will be hereafter the "due season" (Ga 6:9) for reaping. The whole life is, in one sense, the "seasonable opportunity" to us: and, in a narrower sense, there occur in it more especially convenient seasons. The latter are sometimes lost in looking for still more convenient seasons (Ac 24:25). We shall not always have the opportunity "we have" now. Satan is sharpened to the greater zeal in injuring us, by the shortness of his time (Re 12:12). Let us be sharpened to the greater zeal in well-doing by the shortness of ours. them who are of the household--Every right-minded man does well to the members of his own family (1Ti 5:8); so believers are to do to those of the household of faith, that is, those whom faith has made members of "the household of God" (Ep 2:19): "the house of God" (1Ti 3:15; 1Pe 4:17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men. This is the true rule about doing good. "The opportunity to do good," says Cotton Mather, "imposes the obligation to do it." The simple rule is, that we are favoured with the opportunity, and that we have the power. It is not that we are to do it when it is convenient; or when it will advance the interest of a party; or when it may contribute to our fame; the rule is, that we are to do it when we have the opportunity. No matter how often that occurs; no matter how many objects of benevolence are presented--the more the better; no matter how much self-denial it may cost us; no matter how little fame we may get by it; still, if we have the opportunity to do good, we are to do it, and should be thankful for the privilege. And it is to be done to all men. Not to our family only; not to our party; not to our neighbours; not to those of our own colour; not to those who live in the same land with us, but to all mankind. If we can reach and benefit a man who lives on the other side of the globe, whom we have never seen, and shall never see in this world or in the world to come, still we are to do him good. Such is Christianity. And in this, as in all other respects, it differs from the narrow and selfish spirit of clanship which prevails all over the world.

Especially. On the same principle that a man is bound particularly to benefit his own family and friends. In his large and expansive zeal for the world at large, he is not to forget or neglect them. He is to feel that they have peculiar claims on him. They are near him. They are bound to him by tender ties. They may be particularly dependent on him. Christianity does not relax the ties which bind us to our country, our family, and our friends. It makes them more close and tender, and excites us more faithfully to discharge the duties which grow out of these relations. But, in addition to that, it excites us to do good to all men, and to bless the stranger as well as the friend; the man who has a different colour from our own, as well as he who has the same; the man who lives in another clime, as well as he who was born in the same country in which we live.

Of the household of faith. Christians are distinguished from other men primarily by their believing the gospel, and by its influence on their lives.

(f) "opportunity" Eccl 9:10 (g) "unto all men" Mt 5:43, Tit 3:8 (h) "unto them" 1Jn 3:14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 As we have - opportunity - While it is the time of sowing let us sow the good seed; and let our love be, as the love of Christ is, free, manifested to all. Let us help all who need help according to the uttermost of our power; but let the first objects of our regards be those who are of the household of faith - the members of the Church of Christ, who form one family, of which Jesus Christ is the head. Those have the first claims on our attention, but all others have their claims also, and therefore we should do good unto all.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 6:6-11

Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and…

Read the full comment on Galatians 6:6-11 →

Galatians 6:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἄραaraSoG686

οὖνounthenG3767

ὡςhōsasG5613

καιρὸνkaironoccasionG2540

ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192

ἐργαζώμεθαergazōmethawe may workG2038

τὸto<the>G3588

ἀγαθὸνagathongoodG18

πρὸςprostowardG4314

πάντας,pantasall,G3956

μάλισταmalistaespeciallyG3122

δὲdenowG1161

πρὸςprostowardG4314

τοὺςtousthoseG3588

οἰκείουςoikeiousof the householdG3609

τῆςtēsof theG3588

πίστεως.¶pisteōsof faith.G4102

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Galatians 6:10

Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Luke 6:35
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
3 John 1:5-8
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Psalms 37:3
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

opportunity.
Ec 9:10; Joh 9:4; 12:35; Eph 5:16; Php 4:10; Col 4:5; *Gr:
Tit 2:14
do good.
Ps 37:3,27; Ec 3:12; Mt 5:43; Mr 3:4; Lu 6:35; 1Th 5:15; 1Ti 6:17,18
Tit 3:8; Heb 13:16; 3Jo 1:11
especially.
Mt 10:25; 12:50; 25:40; Eph 2:19; 3:15; Heb 3:6; 6:10; 1Jo 3:13-19
1Jo 5:1; 3Jo 1:5-8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:11
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

Read all of Galatians 6

Galatians 6:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Así que, entre tanto que tenemos tiempo, hagamos bien á todos, y mayormente á los domésticos de la fe.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Ainsi donc, comme nous en avons l’occasion, faisons du bien à tous, mais surtout à ceux de la maison de la foi.
German Elberfelder 1871	Also nun, wie wir Gelegenheit haben, laßt uns das Gute wirken gegen alle, am meisten aber gegen die Hausgenossen des Glaubens.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ergo dum tempus habemus, operemur bonum ad omnes, maxime autem ad domesticos fidei.