Galatians 6:10 Meaning of We Have Opportunity, Let Us Do Good to All People

Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Explanation and Commentary of Galatians 6:10

In Acts 10:38, Peter said that Jesus went around doing good. Here in Galatians, Paul is talking about doing good in terms of “sowing to the Spirit” (Gal 6:8), promising that we will reap a harvest of good by sowing good.

Some have mistaken the Apostle’s warnings against legalism as warnings against any kind of action, especially action that is done in a desire to please God. They say that because of the Gospel, God is already pleased with us and that any effort to do anything besides believing and accepting the free gift of God in Christ is legalism.

But Paul is clear here in exhorting Christians to “do good” before going on to write about true legalism in the rest of chapter 6, in this case, that of circumcision and the outward signs of law-keeping. As we go about our days, let us be mindful of Christ’s “doing good,” and let us seek to imitate him and be a blessing to the world.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Galatians 6:10

#1 “Therefore,”
After a discussion on sowing and reaping to the flesh or the Spirit, Paul moves to call his readers to action in light of the truth of this principle. We will reap life or destruction depending on how and what we have sown.

#2 “as we have opportunity,”
Jesus said that he only did what he saw the Father doing (Jn 5:19). If we will walk in him, abiding (Jn 15), then we will be moved to participate in his work. There are opportunities to do good in the name of Christ all around us. Like the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25), will we see the brother in need as an assignment from God?

#3 “let us do good to all people,”
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Mt 5:45). There is reason to seek the welfare of nonbelievers as well as believers. God blesses “all people” and so should the Christian.

#4 “especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
The New Testament places a priority for helping the members of the Church because the Church is a family. The Christian and the local church should seek first to care for those in the family of God as part of God’s means to care for his dear children. But just as Jesus seemed to heal and feed indiscriminately of who would follow him, we must be like God in blessing the “righteous and the unrighteous.”

Bible Study on Galatians 6:10

Expert Overview of Galatians

Biblical Translations of Galatians 6:10

NIV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

NLT
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

ESV
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

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

NKJV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.