Paul has urged the Galatian Christians not to grow tired of doing good, through the power of God's Spirit. It will pay off when the "crops" come, he has assured them. The most obvious crop is their own eternal life in Christ. Paul perhaps also has other positive results in mind, including the eternal lives of others who will come to Christ. And, perhaps he has in mind the rewards given by God to those Christians who serve well in this life (Matthew 6:19–20).
In any case, a planting season only lasts so long. It must eventually come to an end. Paul says this, spiritually speaking, is the planting time. As long as we have the opportunity to do good, to invest our lives by the power of God's Spirit in doing what is right, we should take it. This includes doing good to everyone but being especially intentional about doing good to and for other believers.
Paul describes all of us who are in Christ as belonging to the "household of faith." In Christ, we are siblings, and God is our Father. Doing good to others in our household is an investment that will pay off for them and for us both now and for eternity.
Context Summary
Galatians 6:1–10 focuses on how those in Christ should treat each other, through the power of God's Spirit. We should restore those caught in sin with gentleness and humility, and we should help to carry each other's burdens. Having said that, Christians should be honest with ourselves about what God is doing through us. We need to take responsibility for what He has asked us to carry. Because eternal life comes from planting God's Spirit by faith in Christ, and not by works of the flesh, we must keep doing good. The harvest will show that we planted well.
Chapter Summary
Galatians 6 includes instructions for how people who are free in Christ and walking by God's Spirit, should treat each other. Christians should restore those who are caught by sin, and we should bear each other's burdens. Only those who plant the fruit of God's Spirit, by faith in Christ, will harvest eternal life. Believers should not get tired of doing good for each other! The harvest is coming. Paul concludes the letter, writing in large letters that circumcision means nothing. Only becoming a new creation through faith in Christ matters
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