Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
Parallel translations
- 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.
- 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.
- NASB So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
- NLT Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
While we have time and opportunity, we should do good to everyone, and especially to fellow believers. It calls Christians to active, prioritized love.
Overview
Paul concludes his teaching on sowing and reaping by urging believers to seize every opportunity for doing good. Good works flow from the Spirit-led life and are not opposed to grace but its fruit. While love extends to all people, it has a special obligation toward 'the household of the faith,' the family of believers united in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 29
- Heb 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Prov 3:27Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
- 1 Th 5:15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Titus 3:8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- Matt 25:40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Luke 6:35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
- Heb 6:10For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- Ps 37:3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- 3 Jn 1:5–8Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
- Eph 2:19Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,
- John 12:35Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
- John 9:4While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
- 1 Tim 6:17–18Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
- Matt 12:50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
- 1 Jn 3:13–19So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.
- Phil 4:10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
- Col 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- Titus 2:14He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- 3 Jn 1:11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
- Eph 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Ps 37:27Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.
- Mark 3:4And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.
- 1 Jn 5:1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
- Eccl 3:12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,
- Matt 5:43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
- Heb 3:6But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.
- Eccl 9:10Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- Matt 10:25It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
- Eph 3:15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
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Christ at the center
Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the law's curse, that we might receive the Spirit and be sons — justified by faith in him, not by works.
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Original language
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