Galatians 6:9

The holy apostle, in these words, exhorts the Galatians, and in them all Christians, to the practice of one of the most important parts and duties of the Christian religion, namely, that of doing good one to another: and he doth not barely excite us to the duty, but he exhorts us also to an unwearied diligence in the doing of it, according to our ability and opportunity.

In the exhortation before us, observe, 1. The grand comprehensive duty we are exhorted to: well-doing, and an unwearied diligence therein. This comprehends all those ways and means whereby we may be beneficial and useful one to another, both to soul and body, in spiritual and temporal good things, and promote both the present comfort and future happiness of each other.

Observe, 2. The extent and latitude of the duty, with respect to its object, which is all mankind: Let us do good unto all. The Galatians were in danger of judaizing in their practice, as well as in their doctrines; that is, of loving none but themselves and their own countrymen. For the Jews were grown so sour and churlish in their temper, that they would not do the least office of kindness to any that was not of their own nation: therefore St. Paul here exhorts them to extend their charity universally to all and every one that is of the same nature with themselves.

Observe, 3. The special and particular objects of our charity: the household of faith. Do good to all, but especially to them. By the household of faith, as appears by the context, Galatians 6:6. are primarily meant the ministers of God, the teachers of his word; these are God's domestic servants. Wherever there has been. people, there has been. religion professed, such as it was; wherever there has been. religion professed, there have been persons consecrated and set apart to attend the service of that religion, and. maintenance provided for those attendants; it was so by God's appointment under the law, and by Christ's under the gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:14.

But farther, by the household of faith, we are to understand the whole collective body of believing Christians, all the members of Christ's mystical body; such are very dear to God, and ought to be so to us.

Observe, 4. The subject of this duty, or whom it doth eminently concern, all Christians: As we have opportunity, let us do good; that is, every one of us; for verily there is no condition in the world so mean and despicable, but it yields persons an opportunity one way or other of doing good, if not by their purse, yet at least by their prayers and by their example.

Observe, 5. The frequency of the duty: As we have opportunity; that is, as often as the occasions of doing good are presented to us, and as long as ability for doing good is found with us. Some men defer doing good till they come to die, till they come to make their will; that unwilling will in which they give God. small pittance of his own, because they can keep it no longer; they will repent when they are dying, and be charitable after they are dead.

Good God! how unwilling are men to part with either their money or their sins, as long as they can keep them! But verily. death-bed charity may be as unavailable as. death-bed repentance. The rule is, As we have opportunity, that is, as often as an opportunity is offered. Let us decline no opportunity by getting out of the way, with some, when. work of charity presents itself unto us.

Observe, 6. The measure of this duty; as we have ability, let us do good unto all; that is, proportionably to what God hath given us, let us be willing to give to others: God could easily level the world, and give every man alike; but he is pleased to give some more than others, on purpose to try their graces, the charity and bounty of the rich, the faith and patience of the poor. And verily an estate above what sufficeth our occasions and necessities, is no farther. blessing to us, than as it puts an opportunity into our hands of doing more good than others.

Observe, 7. An unwearied perseverance in doing good required at our hands: Let us not be weary in well-doing. Though we have done much good, there is room for more; new objects will appear, new occasions will arise, new opportunities will present themselves unto us. Let us never think we can do enough, much less too much good; the best of beings are most unwearied in well-doing. God, Christ, the holy angels, are never weary of this blessed work; let us never be weary in imitating them in that which is their highest and chiefest excellency and perfection.

Observe, 8. The argument and encouragement to the cheerful discharge of this duty: In due season we shall reap, if we faint not; that is, sooner or later, either in this world, or in the next, or in both, we shall certainly receive the reward of well-doing.

We shall reap; but what? Answer, We shall reap the blessing of God upon all we have, are, and do; we shall reap the benefit and blessings of their prayers, to whom we extend our charity; we shall reap the highest pleasure and satisfaction in our own minds of doing good, with which no sensual pleasure can be compared. The reflections upon any good we have done, is. perpetual spring of peace and pleasure to us; the thoughts of it lie even and easy in our minds, and the remembrance of it refreshes the soul with. strange kind of delight and joy.

But, Lord; what tongue can utter, or what heart conceive, that vast and unspeakable reward, which an unwearied diligence in well-doing will meet with in the world? It will plead for us at the day of judgment, and procure at the hands of. merciful God, for the rich merits of our Lord Jesus Christ,. glorious recompence at the resurrection of the just: and proportionable to the degrees of our charity, will be the dispensations of this reward.

From the whole learn, That great are the obligations which all Christians do lie under of doing good one to another, according to their abilities and opportunities.

Learn, 2. That great is the reward of well-doing; which Christians may eye as. motive to an unwearied diligence, and unfainting perseverance in well-doing.