The Meaning of Galatians 6:10 Explained

Galatians 6:10

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

YLT: therefore, then, as we have opportunity, may we work the good to all, and especially unto those of the household of the faith.

Darby: So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.

ASV: So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Galatians 6:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Christians have a responsibility to do what is good to all people, including the unsaved. We have a special responsibility to other Christians as we have opportunity, as we hear of a need and have the resources to help. As in a home, family needs come first, then those of the neighbors.
"Every poor and distressed man had [1] a claim on me for pity, and, if I can afford it, for active exertion and pecuniary relief. But a poor Christian has a far stronger claim on my feelings, my labors, and my property. He is my brother, equally interested as myself in the blood and love of the Redeemer. I expect to spend an eternity with him in heaven. He is the representative of my unseen Savior, and he considers everything done to his poor afflicted as done to himself. For a Christian to be unkind to a Christian is not only wrong, it is monstrous." [2]

Context Summary

Galatians 6:1-10 - Our Own And Others' Burdens
The spirit of the world gloats over sin; the Spirit of Christ leads us to restore the sinner. Our first thought should never be of revenge or contempt, or of the adjustment of our own claims, but rather of how to help our fallen brother to regain his old place in the love of God. The memory of our own temptations and failures should make us very pitiful and tender. The Apostle does not speak, in this place, of premeditated sin, but of that by which we are entrapped and taken unawares.
The most spiritual men in the Church are needed for this holy work of restoration, and they must do it with great meekness and humility. It is thus that we bear one another's burdens; but there are some burdens that each must bear for himself alone, such as his own existence and personal accountability to God.
Life is a seedtime. It is the opportunity of preparing for heavenly harvests. The open furrows invite the seed, and every moment, in some form, we scatter seeds that we shall inevitably meet again in their fruition. Let us remember especially our obligations to God's own children. [source]

Chapter Summary: Galatians 6

1  He moves them to deal mildly with a brother who has slipped,
2  and to bear one another's burden;
6  to be generous to their teachers,
9  and not weary of well-doing
12  He shows what they intend that preach circumcision
14  He glories in nothing, save in the cross of Christ

Greek Commentary for Galatians 6:10

As we have opportunity [ως καιρον εχωμεν]
Indefinite comparative clause (present subjunctive without αν — an). “As we have occasion at any time.” [source]
Let us work that which is good [εργαζωμετα το αγατον]
Volitive present middle subjunctive of εργαζομαι — ergazomai “Let us keep on working the good deed.” Of the household of faith (τους οικειους της πιστεως — tous oikeious tēs pisteōs). For the obvious reason that they belong to the same family with necessary responsibility. [source]
Of the household of faith [τους οικειους της πιστεως]
For the obvious reason that they belong to the same family with necessary responsibility. [source]
As we have opportunity [ὡς καιρὸν ἔχωμεν]
As there is a proper season for reaping, there is likewise a proper season for sowing. As this season comes to us, let us sow to the Spirit by doing good. Comp. Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5. [source]
Let us do good [ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν]
Let us work the good. For the distinctive force of ἐργάζεσθαι see on 3 John 1:5; and for ποιεῖν todo, see on John 3:21. Comp. Colossians 3:23where both verbs occur. Τὸ ἀγαθὸν is, of course, the morally good as distinguished from what is merely useful or profitable, but includes what is beneficent or kindly. See Philemon 1:14; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 5:7. Here, in a general sense, embracing all that is specified in Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:3, Galatians 6:10. [source]
Unto them who are of the household of faith [πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως]
Πρὸς combines with the sense of direction that of active relation with. Comp. Matthew 13:56; Mark 9:16; John 1:1; Acts 3:25; Acts 28:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; Hebrews 9:20. Frequently in Class. of all kinds of personal intercourse. See Hom. Od. xiv. 331; xix. 288; Thucyd. ii. 59; iv. 15; vii. 82; Hdt. i. 61. Ὁικεῖοι ofthe household, rare in N.T. See Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 5:8. Quite often in lxx of kinsmen. It is unnecessary to introduce the idea of a household here, as A.V., since the word acquired the general sense of pertaining or belonging to. Thus οἰκεῖοι φιλοσοφίας or γεωγραφίας belongingto philosophy or geography, philosophers, geographers. So here, belonging to the faith, believers. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 6:10

1 Corinthians 4:1 Stewards of the mysteries of God [οικονομους μυστηριων τεου]
The steward or house manager Hence the under-rower They were entrusted with the knowledge of some of God‘s secrets though the disciples were not such apt pupils as they claimed to be (Matthew 13:51; Matthew 16:8-12). As stewards Paul and other ministers are entrusted with the mysteries (see note on 1 Corinthians 2:7 for this word) of God and are expected to teach them. “The church is the οικος — oikos (1 Timothy 3:15), God the οικοδεσποτης — oikodespotēs (Matthew 13:52), the members the οικειοι — oikeioi (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19)” (Lightfoot). Paul had a vivid sense of the dignity of this stewardship The ministry is more than a mere profession or trade. It is a calling from God for stewardship. [source]
Galatians 6:6  []
d But, although each man is thus individualized as regards his burdens, Christian fellowship in all morally good things is to be maintained between the teacher and the taught. The passage is often explained as an injunction to provide for the temporal wants of Christian teachers. But this is entirely foreign to the course of thought, and isolates the verse from the context on both sides of it. As Galatians 6:1-5refer to moral errors, in all good things has naturally the same reference, as do good in Galatians 6:10certainly has. The exhortation therefore is, that the disciple should make common cause with the teacher in everything that is morally good and that promotes salvation. The introduction at this point of the relation of disciple and teacher may be explained by the fact that this relation in the Galatian community had been disturbed by the efforts of the Judaising teachers, notably in the case of Paul himself; and this disturbance could not but interfere with their common moral effort and life. [source]
Galatians 6:10 Let us do good [ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν]
Let us work the good. For the distinctive force of ἐργάζεσθαι see on 3 John 1:5; and for ποιεῖν todo, see on John 3:21. Comp. Colossians 3:23where both verbs occur. Τὸ ἀγαθὸν is, of course, the morally good as distinguished from what is merely useful or profitable, but includes what is beneficent or kindly. See Philemon 1:14; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 5:7. Here, in a general sense, embracing all that is specified in Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:3, Galatians 6:10. [source]
Ephesians 2:19 No more [ουκετι]
No longer. Sojourners (παροικοι — paroikoi). Old word for dweller by (near by, but not in). So Acts 7:6, Acts 7:29; 1 Peter 2:11 (only other N.T. examples). Dwellers just outside the house or family of God. Fellow-citizens Old word from οικος — oikos (house, household), but in N.T. only here, Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:8. Gentiles now in the family of God (Romans 8:29). [source]
Ephesians 2:19 Fellow-citizens [συνπολιται]
Old word from οικος — oikos (house, household), but in N.T. only here, Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:8. Gentiles now in the family of God (Romans 8:29). [source]
Ephesians 2:19 Of the household of God [οικειοι του τεου]
Old word from οικος — oikos (house, household), but in N.T. only here, Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:8. Gentiles now in the family of God (Romans 8:29). [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:7 As when a nurse cherishes her own children [ως εαν τροπος ταλπηι τα εαυτης τεκνα]
This comparative clause with ως εαν — hōs ean (Mark 4:26; Galatians 6:10 without εαν — ean or αν — an) and the subjunctive (Robertson, Grammar, p. 968) has a sudden change of the metaphor, as is common with Paul (1 Timothy 5:24; 2 Corinthians 3:13.) from babes to nurse (τροπος — trophos), old word, here only in the N.T., from τρεπω — trephō to nourish, τροπη — trophē nourishment. It is really the mother-nurse “who suckles and nurses her own children” (Lightfoot), a use found in Sophocles, and a picture of Paul‘s tender affection for the Thessalonians. Ταλπω — Thalpō is an old word to keep warm, to cherish with tender love, to foster. In N.T. only here and Ephesians 5:29. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then [αρα ουν]
Accordingly then. The illative αρα — ara is supported (Ellicott) by the collective ουν — oun as in 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Galatians 6:10, etc. Here is the practical conclusion from God‘s elective purpose in such a world crisis. [source]
1 Timothy 6:18 Do good [ἀγαθοεργεῖν]
In this uncontracted form, N.T.oolxx, oClass. Comp. Acts 14:17. The usual word is ἀγαθοποιεῖν , see Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9, Luke 6:33, Luke 6:35; 1 Peter 2:15. oP. who has ἐργάζεσθαι τὸ ἀγαθὸν towork that which is good, Romans 2:10; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:28. [source]
1 Timothy 6:1 Their own [τοὺς ἰδίους]
Lit. private, personal, peculiar, as 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 7:7. Sometimes strange, eccentric. Contrasted with δημόσιος publicor κοινός commonSee Acts 4:32. Sometimes without emphasis, substantially = possessive pronoun, just as Lat. proprius passes into suus or ejus, or οἰκεῖος belongingto one's house into the simple one's own. See on Galatians 6:10, and comp. Matthew 22:5; Matthew 25:14. In lxx commonly with the emphatic sense. Very often in the phrase κατ ' ἰδίαν privatelyas Mark 4:34; Luke 9:10; Galatians 2:2, but nowhere in Pastorals. [source]
1 Timothy 5:8 His own - those of his own house [τῶν ἰδίων - οἰκείων]
His own relations, see on John 1:11. Those who form part of his family, see on Galatians 6:10. [source]
1 Timothy 3:15 House of God [οἴκῳ θεοῦ]
An O.T. phrase, used of the temple. More frequently, house of the Lord ( κυρίου ); see 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 6:1; 1 Chronicles 22:2, 1 Chronicles 22:11; 1 Chronicles 29:2, etc. Applied to the church only here. Paul has οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως Hebrews householders of the faith (Galatians 6:10), and οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ householdersof God (Ephesians 2:19), signifying members of the church. Christians are called ναὸς θεοῦ sanctuaryof God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16); and the apostles are οἰκονόμοι householdstewards (1 Corinthians 4:1). So of a Bishop (Titus 1:7). See also Hebrews 3:6. [source]
1 Timothy 4:10 We labour [κοπιωμεν]
Both Pauline words. Because we have set our hope (οτι ελπικαμεν — hoti elpikamen). Perfect active indicative of ελπιζω — elpizō (Romans 15:12). Saviour of all men See note on 1 Timothy 1:1 for σωτηρ — sōtēr applied to God as here. Not that all men “are saved” in the full sense, but God gives life (1 Timothy 6:13) to all (Acts 17:28). Specially of them that believe (μαλιστα πιστων — malista pistōn). Making a distinction in the kinds of salvation meant. “While God is potentially Saviour of all, He is actually Saviour of the πιστοι — pistoi ” (White). So Jesus is termed “Saviour of the World” (John 4:42). Cf. Galatians 6:10. [source]
1 Timothy 4:10 and strive [και αγωνιζομετα]
Both Pauline words. Because we have set our hope (οτι ελπικαμεν — hoti elpikamen). Perfect active indicative of ελπιζω — elpizō (Romans 15:12). Saviour of all men See note on 1 Timothy 1:1 for σωτηρ — sōtēr applied to God as here. Not that all men “are saved” in the full sense, but God gives life (1 Timothy 6:13) to all (Acts 17:28). Specially of them that believe (μαλιστα πιστων — malista pistōn). Making a distinction in the kinds of salvation meant. “While God is potentially Saviour of all, He is actually Saviour of the πιστοι — pistoi ” (White). So Jesus is termed “Saviour of the World” (John 4:42). Cf. Galatians 6:10. [source]
1 Timothy 4:10 Saviour of all men [σωτηρ παντων αντρωπων]
See note on 1 Timothy 1:1 for σωτηρ — sōtēr applied to God as here. Not that all men “are saved” in the full sense, but God gives life (1 Timothy 6:13) to all (Acts 17:28). Specially of them that believe (μαλιστα πιστων — malista pistōn). Making a distinction in the kinds of salvation meant. “While God is potentially Saviour of all, He is actually Saviour of the πιστοι — pistoi ” (White). So Jesus is termed “Saviour of the World” (John 4:42). Cf. Galatians 6:10. [source]
1 Timothy 4:10 Specially of them that believe [μαλιστα πιστων]
Making a distinction in the kinds of salvation meant. “While God is potentially Saviour of all, He is actually Saviour of the πιστοι — pistoi ” (White). So Jesus is termed “Saviour of the World” (John 4:42). Cf. Galatians 6:10. [source]
2 Peter 1:6 Charity [ἀγάπην]
There seems at first an infelicity in the rendering of the Rev., in your love of the brethren love. But this is only apparent. In the former word Peter contemplates Christian fellow-believers as naturally and properly holding the first place in our affections (compare Galatians 6:10, “Especially unto them which are of the household of faith ”)But he follows this with the broader affection which should characterize Christians, and which Paul lauds in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, the love of men as men. It may be remarked here that the entire rejection by the Rev. of charity as the rendering of ἀγάπη is wholesome and defensible. Charity has acquired two peculiar meanings, both of which are indeed included or implied in love, but neither of which expresses more than a single phase of love - tolerance and beneficence. The A. V. in the great majority of cases translates love; always in the Gospels, and mostly elsewhere. There is no more reason for saying “charity suffereth long,” than for saying, “the charity of God is shed abroad in our hearts,” or “God is charity. ” [source]

What do the individual words in Galatians 6:10 mean?

So then as occasion we have we should work - good toward all especially now those of the household of the of faith
Ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας μάλιστα δὲ τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως

Ἄρα  So 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἄρα  
Sense: therefore, so then, wherefore.
καιρὸν  occasion 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: καιρός  
Sense: due measure.
ἔχομεν  we  have 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
ἐργαζώμεθα  we  should  work 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐργάζομαι  
Sense: to work, labour, do work.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγαθὸν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀγαθός 
Sense: of good constitution or nature.
πρὸς  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: πρός  
Sense: to the advantage of.
μάλιστα  especially 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μάλιστα  
Sense: especially, chiefly, most of all, above all.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οἰκείους  of  the  household 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: οἰκεῖος  
Sense: belonging to a house or family, domestic, intimate.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πίστεως  of  faith 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.