“And 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, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).
This passage closes the agricultural illustration that Paul the Apostle began earlier in Galatians 6:7. These verses are important to remember during those periods when the road of life seems long and there are many miles to go before we take our rest. (1) When faced with that prospect, we can find encouragement in the agronomic word-picture given to us here in Galatians 6:9-10.
For instance, there is a period of time when there seems to be no apparent growth in the life-cycle of a crop after a farmer has planted it. But that does not serve as a source of discouragement for the farmer despite the fact that he or she has spent a great deal of effort with no immediate return on that investment. Instead, a good farmer must continue to exercise patience and work to ensure that the crop is watered and kept free of weeds and insects even when there is no visible growth.
The point is that a farmer will eventually begin to see the positive effect of his or her efforts, but that unseen process takes time. The same may be true of God’s work in our lives as well. Just as a farmer cannot perceive the germination of a seedling within the soil, our efforts to honor God within our personal area of responsibility may not produce immediate results.
Nevertheless, Galatians 6:9 encourages us to continue our efforts in expectation of a good harvest. As 1 Corinthians 3:7-8 reminds us, “…neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
Finally, one source offers some additional insight on this passage…
“Christians have a measure of responsibility to all people to do good, when the occasions arise. When Jesus fed the 5,000, both saved and unsaved participated. So the benevolence of Christians should not be restricted, except that believers are to have the priority. As in a home, family needs are met first, then those of the neighbors. This passage then speaks clearly about Christian social responsibility, but it should be noted that it is addressed to individual believers. The church is not an agency for social work, though individual Christians are charged to minister in this way as they are able and have opportunity (cf. Rom_12:17-21).” (2)
(1) See Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42891/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-evening
(2) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary [p.610]