So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.
Paul ends his warning about sowing and reaping with a plain instruction: keep doing good, and do it now. It answers three questions. When do we act? Who is included? Who comes first?
Rooted in Sowing and Reaping
The words "so then" tie this command back to the harvest law of the previous verses. One writer explains that picture, and what to do when we see little result:
Hamilton SmithHe pictures God's government of our path through this world as sowing and reaping. Let us not fool ourselves. We are Christians by the grace of God, but that does not mean we escape the results of our own foolishness in this life... In the presence of opposition and conflict we may faint, seeing little result of "well doing" we may grow weary, but let us press on, waiting God's "due season."
Another writer widens the picture to cover everything we do:
Leslie M. GrantVerses 9 and 10 widen the principle of sowing to cover our whole way of life. Well-doing of whatever sort is sowing pure seed... Chances to do good are everywhere if we keep our eyes open. We are to leave no one out of our thoughtfulness and care... This is not just enjoying people and giving them what they want. It is real, positive good done to them.
The Word "Opportunity"
The Greek behind "opportunity" is the same word for "season" used in verse 9. That gives the sentence a deadline, and the word for "do good" carries the sense of effort:
G C WillisThe word for "labor" makes us think of the hard work that is needed. And if we are to do good towards all, it does require hard work... And it is only as we have time! "But this I say, brothers: the time is short!" (1 Cor. 7:29, older translation.) Soon our opportunities will be gone. Soon it will be too late. We will not have the opportunities in heaven to do good towards all as we have now down here.
Good to All
"All" means all. One writer lists what else the New Testament tells us to do for all people:
VariousWe are to love all (1 Thess. 3:12), to pray for all (1 Tim. 2:1), to do good to all (Gal. 6:10), to love and to help our enemies (Rom. 12:19-21), and to be kind to the unthankful and the evil (Matt. 5:43-48). At the same time we are especially to do good to the household of faith. We are to love our brothers and sisters as Christ has loved us. That means we must be willing to lay down our lives for them. (1 John 3:16.)
Kindness also reaches people who never read the Bible:
Truth & TestimonyThe power of our testimony for the Lord depends more on our actions than on our words! The world may not study Scripture, but often it knows how to judge our behaviour. How many a soul has been broken down, not only by the pure gospel, clearly presented, but also by the mercy shown!
Especially the Household of Faith
Why do believers get the first claim? Because of two different ties, and one outranks the other:
F. B. HoleWe are to be givers and doers of good to all men; while the household of faith has the first claim on us. By creation we are connected with all men. Redemption and its results place us in the household of faith. The first tie is natural, the second is spiritual, and the spiritual comes before the natural.
The phrase itself must not be shrunk to fit our own group:
G C Willis"The faith" is a term which tells us of the faith in Christ Jesus, and the household of faith includes every believer. May we remember that we all belong to the same household. People may build walls. They form groups and societies that shut other believers out. But in God's eyes we all belong to the same household.
The Motive Behind the Kindness
Believers and unbelievers can do the same kind act. What separates them is why they do it. And helping the world is not a partnership with it.
William KellySurely, if there is a special duty to the household of faith, I am also bound to do good to all men. But in this there is no yoking together with those outside Christ, and no communion. The worldly man gives because he is generous, or feels for the need of the person, or is expected to give. The child of God does it because it is the will of God. The one acts on the ground of nature, the other in faith.
Summary
- Sow — this command grows out of the harvest law. Whatever you scatter, you gather. So keep scattering good, even when you see no crop.
- Season — "opportunity" is the same word as "due season"; the window is open now and closes at death, so the work is urgent.
- Labour — the verb means expended effort, not warm feeling; doing good to all is hard work.
- All — the circle takes in everyone: enemies, the unthankful, the evil. Mercy shown often reaches people that words never touch.
- Especially — creation links us to everyone; redemption links us to believers. The second tie comes first. And that household holds every believer, not only our own circle.