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I. I will call your attention, in the first place, to THE SPEAKER, or rather THE WRITER. The language was written, as we find, under inspiration, by Paul to the Church at Galatia. It is very important when we hear an exhortation to consider the character of the person who gives it. And here we see the importance, if we first consider what was the issue of the apostle's labours. What was the issue of his labours amongst the Gentiles and Jews? Yet he was not weary in well-doing.

II. As to the "WELL-DOINGS" of the apostle, scarcely any doubt can be left on the mind with reference to these, if we attentively peruse the records of his commission. His well-doings were not to make himself a name or a praise in the earth; he was no mountebank, who for a season sought to attract the gaze and admiration of men, in order that upon the pinnacle they should raise for him he might stand and enjoy his transient life of honour and worldly reputation. No; his desire was to do that which Christ did; he desired so to follow Christ as he himself exhorts others to follow Christ.

III. What the apostle means by his expression, "due season." It is evident the apostle referred not first to his labours. The apostle doubtless understood that while the end is the first in God's purpose, it is the last in manifestation. He could see that his own season might not be God's season. And therefore he was content to say, "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." The expression "due season," then, I conceive refers to a time which is known only to the Father, who hath put the times and seasons in His own power. The expression "due," is a word which is elsewhere translated "own." It is a pronominal adjective, which signifies possession; which signifies a peculiar appropriateness when it is joined with any particular substantive. To give you an instance of the use which is always made of it, I may mention the place where we are told that the Jews found fault with Christ because He made Himself equal with God, saying that God was His Father: "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." The expression there is the same that is found here; His own Father; God was His own Father. So in His "own season" — that is, the season which is peculiarly adapted for the purpose; the season which God knows to be the most appropriate; the season that shall best fit in to all the other declarations which God shall make of His majesty, His justice, and His power, as well as His love, His mercy, and His grace: at that time "we shall reap, if we faint not." That season may not be ours, as, doubtless, many times it is not: that season may not be ours, not the one which we, in our fleshly wisdom, should choose; but it is the season which God chooses, the season which is best adapted, which is most peculiarly suited for the purpose of mercy and truth meeting together, and righteousness and peace kissing each other. Paul was thus content to look forward to the time when he should reap the reward of his labours, The husbandman was first to endure toil, that afterwards he might receive the joy of the harvest.

(J. L. Galton, M. A.)

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KJV: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

WEB: Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.