Let Us Do Good to All
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: Galatians 6:1-10
I. What is meant by “doing good”?
A. Often we think of giving money to the poor, feeding the hungry, etc. And these are good things.
B. But when we read Galatians 6:10, is that what Paul was talking about?
II. Understanding the context
A. Galatians 5:13-17
1. Freedom for the law does not mean freedom to sin - I Peter 2:16
2. Freedom means the opportunity to serve each other in love.
a. A freedom to win others to Christ - I Corinthians 9:19
3. The Old Law taught to love one another - Leviticus 19:18
a. It summarizes the Law - Romans 13:8-9
b. But internal feuds, pulling people away from the truth is not love - Ephesians 4:31-32
c. Such are generated by people putting themselves first - James 3:14-4:3
B. Galatians 5:24-26
1. We crucify the flesh with its desires - Galatians 2:20
a. We abstain from lust - I Peter 2:11
b. We make no provisions for the flesh - Romans 13:13-14
2. We walk by the Spirit
a. It is the spirit that gives life - John 6:63
3. We don’t put ourselves first - Philippians 2:1-3
a. Clothed in humility - I Peter 5:5
C. Galatians 6:1
1. The spiritual are to rescue those caught up in the ways of the flesh
a. We have to work with the weak - Romans 15:1
b. Admonish as a brother - II Thessalonians 3:15
c. Gently correcting - II Timothy 2:23-26
2. We are talking about the saving of souls and not physical needs.
3. This is why the warning that to be careful that we are not caught - I Corinthians 10:12
D. Galatians 6:2
1. The burdens then are spiritual burdens and not physical ones. Burdens that come about from getting involved in sin - Isaiah 58:6
a. Support the weak - I Thessalonians 5:14
b. Remember, Paul said we were called for freedom - Galatians 5:13
c. We were freed from sin and we strive to free others - Romans 6:17-19
2. This fulfill’s Christ’s law - John 13:34
E. Galatians 6:3-4
1. Recall that it is by selfishness that we are pulled to the flesh - Romans 12:3, 16
2. We cannot be caught thinking we are better because we weren’t trapped in sin - Proverbs 26:12
3. So we must put ourselves to the test – not in comparison to others but in comparison to what God wants of us - Galatians 6:4; I Corinthians 4:6-7; II Corinthians 13:5
4. If we going righteously, then we will be satisfied - Proverbs 14:14
a. The joy comes from within, not because men praise you
F. Galatians 6:5
1. We each carry the responsibility of our own choices - Ezekiel 18:20
2. You are not better because someone else failed. You are not worse because someone else succeeded - Romans 14:10-12
3. We each receive the reward for our own labors - I Corinthians 3:8; Philippians 2:12-13
4. The word “load” is phortion. It means an obligation, service, or duty
a. We help those caught in sin bear up under the load of sin. This is a part of our duty that cannot be pushed off onto anyone else.
b. And the success or failure in help others does not change our status, only whether we make the effort
G. Galatians 6:6
1. The one who is taught – the one is sin who is being helped out of sin by the spiritual – should share with his teacher
a. Can be a monetary sharing, but not necessarily
b. The Gentiles shared spiritual things and material things - Romans 15:27
c. The student should take up common cause with his teacher, sharing all that is good or righteous.
d. Material things is just one aspect. This is talking about all good things - I Corinthians 9:11, 14
e. Pursue what is good - I Thessalonians 5:15
f. A pattern of good works - Titus 2:7-8
H. Galatians 6:7-9
1. That Paul is chiefly thinking of spiritual things is shown by the contrast of the flesh and Spirit again.
2. The harvest follows what is planted
a. You get back more than you planted, whether wickedness - Hosea 8:7
b. Or righteousness - Hosea 10:12
3. Judgment is based on what you do - Romans 2:6-10
4. Thus, we cannot tire of doing good - II Thessalonians 3:4-5, 13; Hebrews 3:14
III. “Therefore” – the conclusion of all that Paul has discussed - Galatians 6:10
A. As we have opportunity, do good to all - Ephesians 2:10
1. Not limited or even focused on monetary aid. The chief concept is doing righteousness - I Thessalonians 5:15 (again)
2. Monetary generosity is just one aspect - I Timothy 6:18-19
3. Careful to maintain good works - Titus 3:8
B. If there is a group whom we ought to do good to, it is our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ
1. We are of the same family - Ephesians 2:19
2. Help in the work - III John 5-8
3. Help in needs - I John 3:13-19
4. For Christ takes note - Matthew 25:40
IV. When we use a single verse, sometimes we lose the richness of what is being expressed because we lose track of the context.
A. When we forgive, we are doing good - Colossians 3:12-17
1. When we teach, when we show patience, when we give thanks, etc.
2. And, yes, when we help each other’s needs.
B. But our needs are not always monetary, but more deeply they are spiritual needs
C. The greatest joy is to see those we love receiving eternal life - III John 4
