Galatians 6:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Just as it is not always in our power to sow, so it is not always possible for us to give alms. When we depart from this world, even if we should wish a thousand times to give alms, we will not be able to accomplish anything.

Those virgins testify to this. Though they came with sincere desire, yet, lacking abundant almsgiving, they were separated from the bridal chamber (Mt 25). So also does the rich man who despised Lazarus. Because he was deprived of its help, he received no mercy from the patriarch or from anyone else, despite his tears and urgent requests. He remained forever in fiery torment, without any relief (Lk 16).

Just as it is not always convenient to sow, so also it is not always possible to perform works of mercy. This is shown by the virgins and by Lazarus. Therefore, while we have time in this life, let us do good not only to teachers, but also to Greeks and Jews. That is, let us show beneficence and mercy.

Of course, help should not be given to these latter and to fellow believers in the same measure. Greater generosity must be shown to believers. For he indicates this by the word “especially.”

But notice how far he removes them from Jewish narrowness even in this case. The law opened the heart toward those of the same people. Grace, however, summons land and sea to the table of mercy, though not in the same measure, as has been said.

Let us do good to one another, and especially to those of the household of faith, that is, to the saints who were in Jerusalem, and to their companions who were among the Gentiles and joyfully endured the plundering of their possessions.

So the Lord also declared in the Holy Gospel: "Be merciful, just as your Heavenly Father is merciful" (Lk 6:36), for "He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous" (Mt 5:45). Nevertheless, it is especially fitting to serve those of the same faith.

Paul grounds the doing of good in the greatest necessity: time is short, life passes quickly, and the end of this world is already near. “While we have time,” he says, that is, the time of our life, or while this world exists.

Therefore let us not only act, but do good, and do good to all. Let there be no exception and no other action. Let us do good to all. For if love edifies (1 Cor 8:1), and if every man should be honored, then every good that we do, we do to all. [...]

Yet Paul makes a distinction between the good we do to all and the greatest good done to those of the household of faith, that is, to those who believe in Christ and in God. Completing his instruction, Paul speaks for encouragement, because this was most necessary for the Galatians themselves.

Thus the love called agape can be shown to all. The Apostle says of it: "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." It must be shown to all in general, so much so that the Lord commanded us to show it even to our enemies, saying: "Love your enemies" (Mt 5:44).

Farmers who sow more seed gather more at harvest. Those who sow less will also reap less. So also Christians who sow more spiritual seed in the present life will reap more fruit on the last day, the day of Christ's Judgment, when every person and every deed will appear. Those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly, as the Apostle says: "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly" (2 Cor 9:6). Our Lord is righteous: He "will render to each one according to his works" (Rom 2:6). Therefore the Apostle exhorts us: "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those of the household of faith" (Gal 6:9-10).

The fourth motive is that one cannot recover on earth the time lost for doing good. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Arousing Christians to a good and spiritual life, the Apostle says that as the life is, so will be the reward for it from the Judge of all, God. It is like the harvest that follows the sowing. He points out that everything done by man to please the flesh will end in corruption, while spiritual works will have eternal meaning. Therefore one must by every means not weaken in doing good, both for oneself and for others, and especially for those of the household of faith.

This is the direct conclusion from what precedes. If we shall reap fruit from every work, then do as many good works as possible, so that you may reap more. By the words “while there is time,” he says: now there is time, but in a minute perhaps there will no longer be any. Therefore do not postpone, and do not miss any occasion.

Use every opportunity for doing good, and seek them out yourself. Death will come, you do not know when, and will put an end to the sowing of good works. What you do not sow, you will no longer reap.