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Galatians 6:10 – Doing Good to All Men
Doing Good to All Men?
The word “good/agathos” is only used twice in Galatians, both within the same pericope. This is important because of the misuse of Galatians 6:10. That misuse is cited for church financial support of both needy saints and those not saints. The common argument used against this view is Galatians 6:10 is speaking of individual opportunities helping others with charity, not collective church responsibilities.
• What if both views are wrong?
• What if this verse has nothing to do with money?
• What if the “good” is something spiritual instead of physical?
Notice how “good/agathos” is used in the first section and let that thought continue until “good/agathos” is used the second time.
A – SHARE GOOD: 6:6 – And the one who is instructed in the word is to share in all good things with the one who instructs him.
1. What is “all good things”?
2. Notice how “all good things” is similar to “do good to all” (v.10).
B – DO NOT BE DECEIVED: 6:7 – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
1. How is this connected to “share all good things” in v.6?
C – FLESH VS SPIRIT 6:8 – For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
1. Since this follows the section on works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit, shouldn’t we let that define flesh and Spirit here?
B’ – DO NOT LOSE HEART: 6:9 – And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
1. The word for “good” here is kalos.
A’ – DO GOOD: 6:10 – So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
1. Here we will now further define “good” which has already been defined as of the Spirit. Kalos (v.9) refers to “good in quality”. Agathos (vv.6,10) means “good in character”. Let that thought sink in as to what “good” is referring to.
Doing good is not about money, and is about character. If we follow the flow, notice the meaning:
6:10 – And the one who is instructed in the word is to share in all good things (i.e, the result of teaching is the fruit of the Spirit) with the one who instructs him.
6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good (i.e., fruit of the Spirit) to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Doing good is allowing what we have been taught to result in our character being shaped and trained by the Holy Spirit. We share our lives with those who taught us (v.6). “Share” is koinōneō which is a spiritual relationship. Then we do good, act with the fruit of the Spirit, to all but especially other believers. “Do” is not as much as close relationship, but focuses on our energy ‐ ergozomai.
So form close bonds.of the Spirit with those who taught you, and be busy practicing the fruit of the Spirit with those all, especially with the household of faith who also have the fruit od the Spirit. Why? This is where we emphasize the center section: “The one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (6:8).
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