30. To Do, Practice

 
The word ποιέω signifies to make 'or to do,' but indicates design and acquired habit of life: it is often applied to ‘practicing' what is good. Matt. 12:12; 19:1612How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. (Matthew 12:12)
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19:16); John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29); but also to the reverse, Matt. 13:4141The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (Matthew 13:41), Rom. 3:88And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. (Romans 3:8). The word πράσσω is applied to what we do naturally, easily. and is frequently connected with what is evil, though not absolutely restricted to this, see Rom. 9:1111(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (Romans 9:11). Still the tendency is (where the words are used morally) to employ πο. in a good, and πρ. in an evil sense. In several passages both words occur. "Every one that doeth (πρ.) evil hateth the light.... but he that practices (πο.) the truth cometh to the light." John 3:20, 2120For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:20‑21). These "shall come forth, they that have practiced (πο.) good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done (πρ.) evil unto the resurrection of judgment," chap. 5:29. Paul thought he ought to do (πρ.) many things contrary to the name of Jesus, which he also practiced (πο.) in Jerusalem. Acts 26:9, 109I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. (Acts 26:9‑10). See both words also in Rom. 2:3; 7:15, 19; 13:43And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (Romans 2:3)
15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (Romans 7:15)
19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Romans 7:19)
4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (Romans 13:4).