Galatians 6:10 says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” This verse encourages believers to do good to all people whenever possible. But what exactly does it mean to “do good” to others?
First, we must understand the context of this verse. The book of Galatians was written by the apostle Paul to churches in the region of Galatia. In this letter, Paul defends the gospel of grace and corrects some wrong doctrines that were being taught. The overall theme is that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not by works or law-keeping (Galatians 2:16).
In chapter 6, Paul urges the Galatians to “bear one another’s burdens” and restore any believers who have been caught in sin (Galatians 6:1-2). He warns against thinking too highly of oneself (v. 3) and encourages self-examination (v. 4). Verses 7-9 contain stern warnings against becoming “weary in doing good” and encourage perseverance in sowing to the Spirit.
Verse 10 comes right after this call to keep doing good works. Even when people disappoint us or we grow tired, we should take every opportunity to do good to others. The rest of the verse clarifies that we should make it a priority to do good first to our fellow believers, though we should not limit our benevolence to only Christians.
Serving others through love
Galatians 5:13-14 makes it clear that the entire law is fulfilled in loving one’s neighbor. Therefore, an important aspect of “doing good” to all people is serving them through love. As Galatians 6:2 states, we carry each other’s burdens out of love and shared humanity. Doing good is an act of love, not merely obligation.
Jesus demonstrated what this looks like through His life and ministry. Though He had every right as God to be served, He instead served others through compassionate words and miraculous healings. He touched “unclean” people and socialized with despised sinners. His ultimate act of love on the cross made salvation available to the whole world. We follow Christ’s model when we serve anyone in need with unconditional, self-sacrificial love.
Meeting physical needs
Doing good also involves meeting physical needs. Jesus often healed sick people and fed hungry crowds (Matthew 14:14-21). James says that if someone is without food or clothes and a believer simply tells them “be warmed and filled” without helping meet the need, the words are empty (James 2:15-16). God cares about people’s situations in life, not just their spiritual well-being.
Therefore, part of doing good is providing food for the hungry, clothes for the needy, shelter for the homeless, and so on. We have many opportunities to give to charity, volunteer at shelters, and assist institutional ministries that help disadvantaged people physically. Paul collected a financial gift for the poor church in Jerusalem (Romans 15:14-27). His teaching and example show that meeting physical needs should be a priority when we do good to others.
Speaking gracious words
Our words also have great power to do good. Scripture instructs us, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Instead of insults or harshness, we should make it a aim to speak gently, tactfully, and positively in a way that benefits others.
For example, we can offer words of praise that encourage and motivate, or comfort those who are discouraged. Our speech should be uplifting, constructive, and charitable. Even simple friendliness, a warm smile, and empathetic listening can bless others immensely. The right words at the right time demonstrate care and honor God’s image in people. As Proverbs 25:11 says, a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Bearing others’ burdens
Part of doing good is helping bear others’ burdens, as Galatians 6:2 states. This can mean listening patiently as someone pours out their troubles and pains. It can mean coming alongside in crises to provide practical relief or advocacy. For example, Jesus defended the woman caught in adultery when religious leaders wanted to stone her (John 8:2-11).
Bearing burdens includes being patient with difficult people and forgiving those who wrong us instead of holding a grudge. As Galatians 5:14 says, the whole law is fulfilled when we love our neighbor as ourselves. Loving others as we want to be loved certainly includes helping them carry challenging, painful, or overwhelming situations they are not equipped to handle alone.
Serving within the church
Though we should do good to all, Paul does say that believers should make it a priority to serve fellow Christians, especially those in your local church. The New Testament contains many “one anothers” – love one another, be kind to one another, and so on. We are repeatedly instructed to build up and care for the body of Christ.
Therefore, part of doing good is using your gifts and abilities to strengthen the church. This includes serving joyfully, giving generously to meet needs, encouraging other believers, promoting unity, and praying diligently for your Christian community. God designed the church to reflect Christ to the world through our love for each other (John 13:34-35). Doing good within the church multiplies our ability to powerfully impact outsiders.
Knowing what is truly good
As we have opportunity to do good to all people, we need wisdom to know what is truly good in God’s eyes. Our own human understanding of goodness is flawed and limited. Only God who created all people in His image with dignity, value, and worth has perfect knowledge of what is objectively good.
The Bible explains true goodness to us. Micah 6:8 gives a concise summary: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” God is pleased when we promote justice, show loving kindness, and remain humble before Him.
The Ten Commandments provide God’s baseline standards for moral behavior that is good. Loving God and loving neighbor as self encompasses the essence of goodness. The Holy Spirit guides believers into lifestyles of goodness, compassion, and holiness as we study Scripture. With wisdom and discernment, we can know what actions and words will truly do good in any circumstance.
Bringing people to salvation
While meeting physical needs is important, bringing people to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the highest good we can do for others. Their eternal destiny hinges on hearing and responding to the gospel of God’s grace. Jesus warned, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Paul felt obligated to preach the gospel both to Jews and Gentiles that they might be saved from final judgment (Romans 1:14-16). His example inspires us to make God’s plan of redemption known to all people in our sphere of influence. Praying for the lost, inviting them to church, and sharing our own faith are some of the best ways to do good for their eternal welfare.
Relying on God’s grace and strength
It is impossible to do good to others in our own strength, especially to those hostile or unappreciative toward us. This is why Paul says in Galatians 6:9 that we must not grow weary or lose heart. Thankfully, God pours out more grace when we feel depleted and gives power to the faint (Isaiah 40:29).
Believers have the Holy Spirit living within to provide help, comfort, strength, and guidance in every situation (John 14:26, Acts 1:8). We simply need to step out in faith and trust God to work through us. His divine power equips us for every good work He calls us to do (2 Peter 1:3). With God’s grace at work in and through us, we can do good generously and compassionately.
Blessing all people as image-bearers
Scripture teaches that every human being is made in God’s image and has sacred worth (Genesis 1:27). When we grasp this, it leads to honoring others by doing good to them, regardless of personalities or circumstances. Even difficult people bear God’s image. Through faith in Christ, God removes sins that mar His image in us and conforms us to the likeness of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
As we grow in grace and Christlikeness, we will gain a vision to value all people, see situations from their perspective, and bless them in word and action. We can ask God to open our eyes to see others as He sees them. His love and compassion will flow through us to do creative good, and the world will witness God’s goodness through our lives.
Doing good is a reflection of God’s grace
The ultimate motivation for doing good is God’s grace and mercy to us. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says believers are chosen by God “that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” As recipients of God’s gracious salvation, we get to reflect His generosity by doing good and sharing His blessings with others.
Just as Jesus reflected the Father’s gracious heart during His earthly ministry, we now make God’s invisible attributes visible through deeds of kindness and compassion. Doing good gives tangible evidence of God’s presence and the transforming power of the gospel. It is a public demonstration of thanksgiving and praise to God for His goodness toward us.
Making the most of every opportunity
Galatians 6:10 does not say we should do good “whenever we feel like it” or “when it’s convenient.” Rather, it instructs us to make the most of every opportunity. We live in a world filled with people in need, from poverty, sickness, and hunger to emotional pains of loneliness, grief, depression. Needs surround us wherever we go.
We honor God and serve others when we intentionally look for ways to do good in the course of everyday life. Taking time to listen, visiting someone in the hospital, helping a overwhelmed mom with her groceries are small acts that make a big difference. Praying each morning to see situations through God’s eyes of compassion keeps us alert for divine appointments to bless others.
Balanced living and self-care
While seeking to do good whenever possible, it is also important to maintain balance and self-care so we do not burn out. Jesus set an example by frequently withdrawing to quiet places for prayer and refreshment (Luke 5:16). The busyness of modern life makes it essential that we pace ourselves.
It is not selfish but wise and biblical to get proper rest, eat nutritious meals, enjoy recreation and hobbies, and set healthy boundaries. We also need a Sabbath day of devoted time with God each week. Doing good requires caring for our physical, emotional and spiritual needs so that we have strength to serve others for the long haul.
Overcoming evil with good
No matter how much we try to do good, evil will remain in this fallen world until Christ returns. People sometimes respond to acts of kindness with indifference or even hostility. However, Scripture exhorts us to overcome evil with good through the enabling power of God’s grace (Romans 12:21).
The example of Jesus blessing those who cursed Him inspires us to press on in doing good despite the world’s darkness. God uses our loving actions to soften hard hearts over time. Doing good plants seeds of redemption that often bear unexpected fruit. As we walk in wisdom, the Holy Spirit helps us discern when to turn the other cheek and when to set boundaries against evil.
Trusting God with the results
God calls us to focus on faithful obedience in doing good moment by moment. The results are up to Him. We may never see the full fruit or impact of a kind word, a generous donation, or a compassionate deed. But God notices all such acts done in love and promises ultimate justice and reward (Hebrews 6:10).
Some hearts may seem closed off to the gospel now but later have a change of heart, partially owing to our example. We can leave judgment to God and simply keep sowing seeds of goodness wherever we go. In heaven, we will better understand how God magnified and multiplied our simple acts of kindness on earth for His glory.
Conclusion
Galatians 6:10 contains marvelous wisdom and instruction for followers of Jesus. As God gives us opportunity, we can live out this verse by serving all people through love, meeting physical needs, speaking gracious words, bearing others’ burdens, serving the church, and most importantly, doing good deeds that point people to salvation in Christ. Such compassionate service requires God’s grace and strength but beautifully adorns the gospel.
