"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Galatians 6:9 is the "do not grow weary in doing good" verse, from the closing chapter of Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Galatians 6, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about perseverance, Bible verses about endurance, and Bible verses about serving others.
Free PDF
Get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF
Sign up for the daily Bible verse email, and get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF. 30 Days of Love Verses · Open the PDF
The verse
The King James reads: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
"Become weary" is ekkakeo (G1573), to lose heart or give in to weariness. "Good" is kalos (G2570), what is right and fine, and "doing" is poieo (G4160). "At the proper time" (KJV "in due season") uses kairos (G2540), an appointed or fitting time. "Reap" is therizo (G2325), to harvest, and "give up" (KJV "faint") is ekluo (G1590), to grow slack or give out.
Where it sits in Galatians 6
The chapter opens with "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Just before verse 9, Paul uses the picture of a field: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8).
Verse 9 carries the farming picture forward, and verse 10 turns it into practice: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
What the verse is saying
Paul is speaking to people who are already doing good and are tired. He does not tell them to try something new. He tells them not to quit. Sowing and harvest are separated by time, and the harvest comes "at the proper time," not on the sower's schedule.
The condition is simple: "if we do not give up." The same thought shows up in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, "never tire of doing what is good." For strength when you are worn out, see Isaiah 40:31.
Questions people ask
What does Galatians 6:9 say?
In the NIV it says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The KJV reads, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
What does Galatians 6:9 mean?
It is Paul's encouragement to keep doing good even when it is tiring and the results are not yet visible. It follows his teaching that a person reaps what they sow (Galatians 6:7-8), and it promises a harvest at the right time to those who do not give up.
What does "in due season" mean in Galatians 6:9?
"Due season" translates the Greek kairos, an appointed or fitting time. The harvest comes when God's timing says it is ready, not necessarily when the person sowing expects it.
What comes after Galatians 6:9?
Verse 10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
What other verses are like Galatians 6:9?
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (never tire of doing what is good), 1 Corinthians 15:58 (your labor in the Lord is not in vain), and Isaiah 40:31 (those who hope in the Lord will run and not grow weary) are close companions.
