“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
One of the errors we tend to make is quoting a verse that sure sounds like the heart of God, yet we still quote it partially. You could say this is true for the statement above. Just this morning, I read this verse in a devotional as you see it. While I don’t think this verse is commonly misquoted, this instance does demonstrate how we sometimes omit part of a verse for the sake of expediency or to prove our own point.
The actual verse in Galatians 6:10 contains a very important statement at the end. It says:
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
The Apostle Paul was writing the church in Galatia, encouraging proper behavior among the Body of Christ there. In this chapter, he mentioned topics like carrying each other’s burdens, not comparing themselves to others, and sowing and reaping in the flesh or spirit among other topics.
In this verse, it seems that Paul was telling the believers to do good to everyone, but especially to the other believers in Galatia. Does God want you to do good to all people? Of course! You can argue that from other Scriptures. The point is to avoid quoting part of a verse to make your point. It is an unhealthy practice.
A similar verse that Paul wrote to his audience:
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16
