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.
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.
- BSB Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- NKJV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of 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 13:16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- Prov 3:27Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
- 1 Th 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
- Titus 3:8This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
- Matt 25:40“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- Luke 6:35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
- Heb 6:10For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.
- Ps 37:3Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
- 3 Jn 1:5–8Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
- Eph 2:19So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,
- John 12:35Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
- John 9:4I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
- 1 Tim 6:17–18Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
- Matt 12:50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
- 1 Jn 3:13–19Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
- Phil 4:10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
- Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- Titus 2:14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
- 3 Jn 1:11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
- Eph 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Ps 37:27Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.
- Mark 3:4He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent.
- 1 Jn 5:1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him.
- Eccl 3:12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
- Matt 5:43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
- Heb 3:6but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.
- Eccl 9:10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
- Matt 10:25It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
- Eph 3:15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
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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.
How Galatians 6:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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