In Galatians 6:9 Paul writes: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” One of my favorites Verses in all the Bible!
Really, I can recall the day I committed this great verse to memory. I was a teenager, sixteen I believe. I was working an afternoon job, after school. In Greenville, South Carolina … and this Sentence (Galatians 6:9) I read over and over again! Until I had hidden it “in my heart!” (Running the paper cutter, trimming Gospel tracts, for a Christian Radio Ministry!)
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What an encouragement Paul has given us here!
The verb “be weary” is “ekkakio” in Greek. It is found 6 times in the New Testament, and means “to faint” 4 of those 6 times! The other 2 times, just like here (including here in fact) … “to be weary.”
It means “to be spiritless.”
It means “to be tired out!”
The literal idea is “yielding to anything evil.”
Even “semi-evil!” (The very “appearance” of evil!)
More specifically, “to give in to anything good-for-nothing.”
Wow!
Then the substantive “well doing” must be studied.
“Kalos” is the adjective now. (Doing is merely “poieo,” any “activity” diligently pursued.) Whereas “kalos” means “well/good” in this sense: “lovely, excellent!” Even “choice, surpassing, excellent!”
“Kalos” is as helpful, gracious … every bit as much as “kakos” is harmful, ugly!
Do not slip into lethargy, complaint (or anything else that will hurt your spiritual progress) … rather, pursue (chase after) the doing of good things, lovely things, profitable things! That is what Paul is saying!
Then comes the promise … “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
See the nexus , the linkage, between the last verse’s (yesterday’s lesson) sowing/reaping … and this verse’s (today’s lesson) reaping of good things … if we do not quit? Or (not) fall into some “good-for-nothing” situation.
Wow!
Now the verb “faint” (at the end of the verse) is “ekluo,” basically meaning “to fall apart!” Literally “to come loose!” To give up, to ease off, to retire (in a lazy sense)!
And then I am thinking “in due season” (“kairos”) … well, that is up to the Lord, the “Lord of the harvest” (as Luke 10:2 calls Him)! “Kairos” specifically means “at just the right moment, the right ‘window of opportunity,’ in God’s perfect time!”
What a verse!
What a help!
What an exhortation!
Galatians 6:9 … “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Now, everybody, this being Election Day in America (lesson written Tuesday morning, November 6, 2018) … let’s practice Galatians 6:9 … AND GO VOTE! Even if it means standing in line! (Do not be weary in well-doing!)
We voted early and had to do just that … a slow moving line as well … for over an hour and a half!
God bless America!
May God today stop (or at least slow it down) the advance of evil … and strengthen the cause of godliness in our Land!