What Does it Mean to 'Be Not Weary in Well Doing'?

Vivian Bricker

In Galatians 6:9 the Apostle Paul tells us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” In this passage of Scripture, Paul is telling believers that they do not need to become weary in doing good.

Oftentimes, it can be tough not to grow weary in doing good, but God does not want us to grow weary in doing good. God wants us to continue to do good and shine His bright light to others.

Why Do We Grow Weary?

Believers do not need to grow weary in doing good because God makes a promise to all believers that if they stay strong and continue to do good, believers will reap a harvest at the proper time (Galatians 6:9).

When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Galatia, he knew that they were feeling weighed down by the responsibilities of daily Christian living. Maybe you have felt this way before too. Paul writes the statement of not growing weary in doing good to uplift their spirits and give them encouragement. 

The Christian life is not easy, but as believers, we have the help of the Holy Spirit. He will help, support, and encourage us each day. The Holy Spirit is ready to help believers at all times and in any way He can. He can help us walk in accordance with the right way rather than in the way of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Whenever you feel weary and tired of doing good, turn to God. He can uplift you with His mighty hand (Isaiah 41:10). When you start becoming weary, discouraged, or depressed, remember that whatever you are working at, you are working for the Lord. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23). God sees every kind act, every kind word, every good thing that you do.

Absolutely nothing that you do goes unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. Hebrews 6:10 tells us, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” You are not serving mankind--you are serving the Lord. Never forget this vital truth and never grow tired of doing good. Your efforts will be rewarded.

What Does it Mean to Do Good?

Christians should want to do good because God has called us to do good. When we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and do good, we shine bright for Jesus (Matthew 5:16). By doing good, we show Christ to a lost and hurting world. God has created us with the ability to do good and help others.

If we choose to not do good, we sin (James 4:17). The Bible tells us sin separates us from God, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). When we do good, we are acting in obedience to our Heavenly Father. Nothing brings God greater joy than to know that His children are obeying Him.

God has special purposes for each of our lives and these purposes include doing good works for Him. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

This passage of Ephesians tells us that we have been created to do good works, which will ultimately point people to Christ. Our lives are not our own. Our lives were bought at the price of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Since Jesus paid such a great price for our freedom, we should want to do good things that honor Him and not grow weary in the process. Jesus is our Master Teacher as He is the best example to follow in our lives.

Jesus always did good and He never grew weary of doing good. Likewise, as followers of Jesus, we should also not grow weary in doing good. Jesus paid the greatest price by dying on the cross for our sins in order to redeem us.

In this entire process, He never grew weary, and He never gave up. He continued despite being in great pain, anxiety, and agony (Luke 22:44). He never gave up on us His mission of redeeming mankind from our sins. Jesus loved us that much. He looked beyond His pain and saw the future of mankind being reconciled to the Father through His death.

Jesus could have said He was too tired, or mankind was “too lost in their sins” to be redeemed, but He did not. Rather, Jesus chose to endure the pain of the cross and die the death we deserved to die. As a result of Jesus’ great sacrifice, all people can be saved who place faith in Him.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Why Are We Told Not to Grow Weary in Doing Good?

There are many things we can do in order to avoid growing weary. The number one thing we should do when we feel weary of doing good is to turn to God. Pour out your heart to Him and tell Him your struggles. God tells us to pour our anxieties out to Him and to place them at His feet (1 Peter 5:7).

God does care about you, and He wants to strengthen you to do good. If you are genuine when you come before the Lord and ask for His help, He will help you to be strengthened. God does not grow weary like we do (Isaiah 40:28), but He did experience it while He was on earth.

Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:6-7).

God understands that we can grow physically, mentally, and emotionally weary, and He desires to give us peace. Turn to God and He will help you. A second tip to avoid growing weary is by remembering God’s faithfulness in the past.

Maybe you were going through a difficult season in the past, but you still managed to be kind and good to others. God got you through the weary season before and He will get you through it again. Trust God in the process and wait for Him (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 27:14).

For further reading:

What Does it Mean That Good Works Are the Result of Salvation?

Do Actions Really Speak Louder Than Words?

Is There Such a Thing as Christian Duty?

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Tiago Bandeira


Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.

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