τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες μὴ ἐκκακῶμεν· καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσομεν μὴ ἐκλυόμενοι.
In the closing exhortations of his letter to the Galatians, Paul issues a pastoral rallying cry that has echoed through the centuries:
τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες μὴ ἐκκακῶμεν· καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσομεν μὴ ἐκλυόμενοι.
“And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” This verse is both a warning and an encouragement—a call to perseverance in Christian living. At its core lies a rich interplay between present tense imperatives and future indicative promises, which together form a theology of endurance rooted in grammatical precision.
Our focus will be on how the progressive aspect of the present tense verbs—especially ποιοῦντες (“doing”) and ἐκλυόμενοι (“giving up”)—shapes our understanding of sanctification as a lifelong process marked by struggle, continuity, and divine assurance.
Morphological Breakdown of Key Terms
| Word | Root | Form | Literal Translation | Grammatical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ποιοῦντες | ποιέω | Present active participle, masculine plural, nominative | “Doing” | Denotes ongoing action—habitual or continuous behavior |
| ἐκκακῶμεν | ἐκκακέω | Present subjunctive, active, first person plural | “Let us not grow weary” | Negative prohibition with μὴ + subjunctive |
| θερίσομεν | θερίζω | Future indicative, active, first person plural | “We will reap” | Indicative mood indicates certainty of future outcome |
| ἐκλυόμενοι | ἐκλύω | Present middle/passive participle, masculine plural, nominative | “If we do not give up” | Used adverbially with conditional force |
The Present Participle: A Lifestyle of Doing Good
The phrase τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες (“while doing good”) begins with a present active participle, ποιοῦντες, which carries a continuous aspect—indicating habitual or ongoing action. This is not about isolated acts of kindness, but a settled way of life characterized by moral consistency and spiritual momentum.
In Greek grammar, the present tense often conveys more than just temporal “now-ness”—it expresses aspectual progression. Here, it suggests that doing good is not merely something believers do occasionally, but something they are continually engaged in. It reflects a pattern of character, not a momentary impulse.
This aligns with Paul’s broader ethical vision: sanctification is not a single event, but a lifelong pursuit. The present participle captures this truth with linguistic precision—it is not enough to do good once; we must keep doing good.
The Subjunctive Prohibition: Let Us Not Grow Weary
The next clause intensifies the exhortation:
μὴ ἐκκακῶμεν
“Let us not grow weary.” This is a negative command using the subjunctive mood, introduced by μὴ. In Koine Greek, such constructions often express prohibition—a strong discouragement from engaging in an action.
- ἐκκακῶμεν: From ἐκ- (out) + κάκος (evil), meaning “to become exhausted” or “to lose heart”
- μὴ + subjunctive = a formal negative imperative
Paul is not merely advising against temporary discouragement—he is warning against the deeper danger of spiritual fatigue, of letting weariness erode conviction. The use of the subjunctive allows for the possibility of growing weary, but urges the believer to resist it.
The Future Indicative: Certainty Beyond Fatigue
The promise that follows is framed in the future indicative:
καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσομεν
“For in due season we will reap.” The verb θερίσομεν is a future indicative, indicating certainty rather than mere possibility. Unlike the subjunctive, which expresses potentiality, the indicative affirms what will happen.
This shift in mood—from subjunctive prohibition to indicative promise—is crucial. Paul acknowledges the reality of weariness, but counters it with the assurance of harvest. The future indicative functions like a theological anchor: even when we feel like giving up, God guarantees the fruitfulness of faithfulness.
The Weight of a Continuing Verb
At its heart, Galatians 6:9 is a verse about time—how we live in the tension between now and not yet. The present participles remind us that sanctification is a process, not a product. The subjunctive warns us against surrendering before the season of harvest arrives. And the future indicative assures us that our labor is not in vain.
Paul does not promise ease. He does not guarantee immediate results. But he does offer something far greater: a theology of endurance shaped by grammar. In the progressive aspect of ποιοῦντες and the enduring hope of θερίσομεν, we find a rhythm for the Christian life—one of persistent goodness, patient waiting, and certain reward.
So let us hear this verse not as a fleeting encouragement, but as a call to remain faithful long after the applause has faded. For in the grammar of grace, the harvest is sure—and the One who promised it is faithful.
