Galatians 6:9

Commentary on Galatians 6:9

King James Version: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

1. Immediate Context: Galatians 6

Paul closes his letter to the Galatians by applying the gospel of grace to everyday Christian living. Galatians 6[i] emphasises:

• Restoring the fallen
  (Galatians 6:1): “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
• Bearing one another’s burdens
  (Galatians 6:2): “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
• Personal responsibility
  (Galatians 6:5): “For every man shall bear his own burden.”
• Sowing and reaping
  (Galatians 6:7–8): “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Galatians 6:9 sits within this framework. Paul is urging believers to persevere in Spirit-empowered goodness, especially toward others, even when the work is slow, costly, or discouraging.

2. Exegetical Commentary on Galatians 6:9

2.1 “And let us not be weary in well doing”

Paul assumes that doing good is tiring. The Greek term for “weary” carries the sense of becoming discouraged, losing heart, or giving up because the work feels fruitless. “Well doing” refers to Spirit-led obedience, especially acts of love, mercy, generosity, and restoration.

In Reformed theology, this is not humanistic moralism. It is grace-enabled obedience flowing from union with Christ. We do good because God has first done good to us in Christ.

2.2 “For in due season we shall reap”

Paul draws on the agricultural metaphor already used in Galatians 6:7–8. “Due season” means God’s appointed time, not ours. The harvest may be:

• spiritual growth
• restored relationships
• fruit in ministry
• eternal reward
• or simply God’s pleasure in our obedience

Christian theology emphasises that this harvest is God’s work, not ours. We sow faithfully; God brings the increase.

2.3 “If we faint not”

The condition is perseverance. “Faint not” means do not give up, do not abandon the field, do not stop sowing. This is not salvation by works. Rather, perseverance is the evidence of genuine faith. Those who belong to Christ continue in the Spirit’s power.

---

3. Theological Themes

3.1 Perseverance of the Saints

Galatians 6:9 aligns with the Christian doctrine that true believers persevere because God preserves them. We do not persevere by sheer willpower. We persevere because the Spirit sustains us.

3.2 Grace-driven effort

Paul expects Christians to work hard in doing good, but always as those who rely on grace. This guards us from legalism (working to earn God’s favour) and from laziness (neglecting obedience).

3.3 The certainty of God’s harvest

The promise “we shall reap” is grounded in God’s faithfulness. The harvest may be unseen in this life, but it is guaranteed in the life to come.

3.4 Community-centred goodness

Galatians 6 emphasises burden-bearing, restoration, generosity, and kindness. Doing good is not abstract. It is relational, practical, and often inconvenient.

---

4. Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

4.1 When ministry feels slow

Whether teaching, discipling, parenting, or serving in church, progress often feels invisible. Galatians 6:9 reminds believers that faithfulness matters more than visible results.

4.2 When relationships are difficult

Restoring someone “in the spirit of meekness” (Galatians 6:1) is emotionally taxing. Perseverance in gentleness is part of “well doing.”

4.3 When generosity feels costly

Supporting gospel work and caring for others (Galatians 6:6, 10) can feel draining. Paul says: keep sowing. God sees. God remembers.

4.4 When personal holiness feels uphill

Sowing to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8) requires daily repentance and obedience. Galatians 6:9 encourages believers to continue, trusting that God will produce fruit.

4.5 When society seems indifferent

Christians may feel weary doing good in a world that does not value righteousness. Paul’s words remind us that our audience is God, not the world.

5. Meditation Guide

5.1 Reflect

Read Galatians 6:9 slowly.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Consider where you feel weary. Ask: Where am I tempted to give up doing good?

5.2 Pray

Ask God for renewed strength. Pray: Lord, help me sow to the Spirit. Sustain me when I feel weary.

5.3 Remember

Recall God’s promise: “We shall reap.” Meditate on the certainty of God’s harvest.

5.4 Act

Choose one concrete act of goodness today:

• encourage someone
• restore someone gently
• give generously
• bear a burden
• pray for a struggling believer

5.5 Rest

Trust that God sees your labour. Rest in the truth that perseverance is the Spirit’s work in you.

---

[i] Galatians 6

King James Version

6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

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

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.