Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Galatians 6:6 - 6:10
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gal_6:6-10
6The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Gal_6:6 "the word" This is from the same root as "Word" in Joh_1:1, referring to Jesus. The "word" is the gospel of and about Jesus. Paul uses a variety of ways to refer to this "word."
1. "the word of God" – 1Co_14:36; 2Co_2:17; 2Co_4:2; Php_1:14; Col_3:16; 1Th_2:13
2. "the word of the Lord" – 1Th_1:8; 2Th_3:1
3. the word – Gal_6:6; 1Th_1:6; Col_4:3; 2Ti_4:2
▣ "is to share" This is another present active imperative which relates either to
1. Gal_6:1-5, a call on the mature to help weaker Christians
2. Gal_6:7-10, a description of the law of spiritual sowing and reaping (see note at Gal_6:7)
Those who are taught are under the spiritual responsibility to share in the ministry of those who teach them (cf. Luk_10:7; Rom_15:27; 1Co_9:9-14). This is a general principle, and although Paul did not personally take advantage of personal remuneration, he advocated it for other ministers. The English word "catechism" is derived from the Greek [katechçô] translated as "taught" and "teaches" which are found in this verse.
▣ "good things" "Good things" is purposefully ambiguous, referring to physical needs, spiritual needs or both. The obvious truth is that those who are being taught should be grateful and responsive. Exactly how this verse relates to the false teachers is uncertain. Paul could have been referring to himself and the Gentile contribution for Jerusalem.
▣ "with the one who teaches him" The teacher ("the one who teaches") refers either to
1. the spiritual gift of teaching as in Act_13:1 and 1Co_12:28
2. a teacher in the local congregation who trained new believers and children
3. one who taught the entire congregation the implications of the teachings of the Apostles as they applied to their daily lives, as in pastor/teacher of Eph_4:11
This last option would be similar to the OT task of the local Levites and, later, professional scribes.
Gal_6:7 "Do not be deceived" This is a present passive imperative with a negative particle which usually means to stop an act which was already in process. They were already being deceived (cf. 1Co_6:9; 1Co_15:33; 2Th_2:3; Jas_1:16).
▣ "God is not mocked" This verb means "to turn one's nose up at" something or someone. This may refer to those who are called to minister as God's representatives, that is, the teachers of Gal_6:6. To scoff at Christian ministers is, in a sense, to scoff at God. Jesus, in Mat_10:42; Mat_25:40, mentioned that when we help others in His name we are helping Him. This is the same truth but from the opposite direction. However, how these verses relate to one another is uncertain. This may be a general proverb connected with "sowing and reaping" applied in a figurative sense.
This verse may relate to Gal_6:8-10 and not to Gal_6:6 at all. This is a moral universe. We do not so much break God's laws as much as we break ourselves on God's laws. Be it known, believer or unbeliever, we reap what we sow. Sin always runs its course, even in the life of believers. Wild oats are very, very expensive—so, too, is self-centered sowing!
▣ "for whatever a man sows" This is a spiritual principle. God is ethical-moral and so is His creation. Humans break themselves on God's standards. We reap what we sow. This is true for believers (but does not affect salvation) and unbelievers (cf. Job_34:11; Psa_28:4; Psa_62:12; Pro_24:12; Ecc_12:14; Jer_17:10; Jer_32:19; Mat_16:27; Mat_25:31-46; Rom_2:6; Rom_14:12; 1Co_3:8; 2Co_5:10; Gal_6:7-10; 2Ti_4:14; 1Pe_1:17; Rev_2:23; Rev_20:12; Rev_22:12).
Gal_6:8 "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption" This refers to the two basic approaches of being right with God (cf. Gal_5:13; Gal_5:16-17), human effort (cf. Rom_8:6-8; Rom_8:13) and free grace (cf. Rom_8:2-4; Rom_8:6; Rom_8:12-14).
▣ "corruption" See Special Topic following.
hyperlink
▣ "eternal life" The concept of eternal life which is found in Gal_6:8 is from the Greek word zoç. It is used particularly by John to refer to resurrection life, the life of the new age (cf. Rom_5:21; Rom_6:22-23; Tit_1:2; Tit_3:7). It has the same implication here. Gal_6:8-10 show the consequences of our sowing and reaping.
Gal_6:9 "Let us not lose heart in doing good" This is literally "to despair" or "to lose heart" (NEGATED PRESENT ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE cf. Luk_18:1; 2Th_3:13; 2Co_4:1; 2Co_4:16; Heb_12:3.) Often Christians grow weary of the very things that they have been called to do.
▣ "for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" Notice the conditional element (not conditional sentence). It is conditioned on our continued faith response. Also, note the element of God's sovereign timing in our lives. We do not understand why things happen as they do, but because we believe in the sovereignty of God and the specific demands of the free gospel, we direct our lives to certain ways of service and giving. See Special Topic on Perseverance at Gal_3:4.
Gal_6:10 "So then, while we have opportunity" Believers must continue to watch for opportunities to live out their faith in Christ (cf. Eph_5:15-21; Col_4:2-6). This phrase will refer to
1. opportunities in daily like
2. before persecution comes
3. before the Second Coming
This may be an allusion to Psa_69:13 or Isa_49:8 (cf. 2Co_6:2).
▣ "let us do good" This is a present middle (deponent) subjunctive. Paul states with conviction that our standing with God does not come by human effort, but he is equally emphatic that once we know God we should live a life of strenuous service (i.e., Tit_3:8; Tit_3:14). These twin truths are found in Eph_2:8-9 and then Gal_6:10. We are not saved by good works, but we are most definitely saved unto good works.
▣ "to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" Notice that our love is meant for all people for there is always a view toward evangelism in all of our actions (cf. Mat_28:19-20; Luk_24:47; Joh_20:31; Act_1:8; 1Co_9:19-23; 1Pe_3:15). However, our primary focus, as far as fellowship, is on the members of the family of God. This is not denominationally focused for we are to take a person at his word that he has trusted in Christ. Once he has made that confession we are to serve him as Christ served us.
I very much like Gordon Fee's insight in to the corporate nature of this book, not the typical western individual emphasis. This book is about the Spirit-filled life of the community of faith and beyond (cf. To What End Exegesis?, p. 163).