COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSOJ NUMBER 58
Gal 6:6 "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Gal 6:6-8)
THE TEACHER AND THE TAUGHT
INTRODUCTION
Paul now enlarges on the subject of bearing one another's burdens. He touches on, what many consider to be, a very sensitive subject. However, in a spiritual economy is in place that calls for the crucifixion of the flesh, and the violent overthrow of self-centered thinking, This matter is considered germane to the subject. The principle of selflessness and the consideration of others is often underscored in apostolic doctrine. "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil 2:4). "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth" (1 Cor 10:24). This, of course, was lived out by our Lord, as He placed the need of humanity above His own personal interests, becoming "poor" that we might become "rich" before God (2 Cor 8:9). In this He set the example for us, how we are to manage our lives. Thus Paul wrote, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Phil 2:5-7).
This is part of walking in the Spirit, as opposed to walking in the flesh (Gal 5:17,25). It is integral to the crucifixion of the flesh, which is something that is done by those who are in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:24). Now Paul; comes to an aspect of crucifying the flesh that is rarely mentioned in contemporary religion. In citing this distinction, he highlights the transgression of the Galatians. Rather than his labors among them moving them to a good and godly consideration of Paul, they had actually come to despise him. They preferred to hear "another gospel" that was in sharp conflict with the one that Paul preached. They received teachers who had no respect for Paul or the gospel that he preached - teachers that sought to capitalize upon the Galatians rather than being eternal benefit to them. They only sought to add the Galatians to the number that adhered to their tradition (Gal 6:13). They were not seeking to be "helpers" of their joy, but sought to have dominion over their faith (2 Cor 1:24). In so doing they were disqualified from being ministered to by the Galatians, as this text teaches.
THE TEACHER AND THE TAUGHT
Gal 6:6 "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."
Here is a second example of bearing one another's burdens. The first is the very letter that Paul is writing to the Galatian churches. He writes it because of the burden of their condition upon his own soul, as well as upon their's. He also writes because they have not detected the burden. Now he mentions another kind of burden that belongs to one person, yet the carrying of it is shared by others. The suggestion of the text is that the Galatians had not continued to support Paul, but had given their attention to others who had not taught them properly.
HIM THAT IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD. Other versions rea, "taught the Word," NKJV "receives instruction in the Word," NIV "gets teaching in the Word," BBE "is being instructed in the Word," CJB "is taught the message," CSB "learning about ]the] message," IE "receive instruction in Christian truth," WEYMOUTH "taught the truth," WILLIAMS "being taught in the message." MONTGOMERY "receives instruction in the Word [of God]." AMPLIFIED
What does it mean to be taught "in the Word?" Does this mean that a person is simply taught the Bible? I suggest that it does not. The term translated "Word" is the word "logos," which means a message - a primary message. In this case, it would be the Gospel of Christ. Being taught "in the Word," therefore, means to be taught the fact and the meaning of the Gospel. This includes such pivotal matters as the Person and mission of Christ, together with His accomplishments and how they impact upon the salvation of men. In the case of the Galatian teachers, they had not taught the people "in the Word." Rather than perceiving the message of a coming Savior in Moses and the Prophets, they had seen the duties and obligations of men. That is why they taught that men ought to be circumcised. When they taught this message to those who had heard the real message from the mouth of Paul himself, they caused the people to swerve off course, removing from Him that had called them into the grace of Christ to another Gospel.
This same thing is challenging on an alarming scale in our day. For the most part, professing Christians are not being "taught in the Word." They are rather being taught the principles of marriage, and how to be successful. They are being taught the tenets of a particular denomination - "what WE believe." Some are even being taught what other world-religions believe. Those who are hearing such emphases are not being "taught in the Word." At the very best, they are being taught what someone thinks about the Word. the overriding message of Scriptures is not being delivered to the people. Teachers who do not teach the people "in the Word" are excluded from the following consideration.
COMMUNICATE UNTO HIM THAT TEACHETH. Other versions read, "share in all good things with him who teaches," NKJV "must share all good things with his instructor," NIV "give a part in all good things to his teacher," BBE "make him that hath taught him, partaker of all his goods," GENEVA "would give his teacher a share in all his possessions," NJB "minister unto him that teacheth him, in all good things," TYNDALE and "share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]." AMPLIFIED
Elsewhere Paul stated this same thing in another way: "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Cor 9:14). The Amplified Bible reads, "On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel." The principle to which he refers was the means by which the ancient priests were supported - a portion of the offerings of the people (1 Cor 9:13; Lev 8:16-18; Num 5:9-10; Deut 18:1-5).
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS. The ultimate example of this teaching is Jesus Himself. During His ministry among the people, there were some who regularly ministered to Him. It is written, "There were also women . . . among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; who also, when He was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with Him unto Jerusalem" (Mark 15:41). Concerning an earlier period, Luke records, "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance" (Luke 8:3). Martha was also noted for ministering to Jesus (Lk 10:38. John also testified of the hospitality of Martha (John 12:2).
There was also the fact that there was a general money bag maintained among Jesus and His disciples. Judas was responsible for this, even though he was dishonest and covetous in his handling of the funds. Apparently some dispersements were made from this "bag" to the poor (John 12:6; 13:39). When Jesus fed the five thousand, the disciples observed that "two hundred pennyworth" (8 month's wages NIV) was not sufficient to feed them. Apparently this is how much was in "the bag" at that time. We assume that these funds came from those to whom the Lord Jesus ministered, and were given out of thanksgiving for His ministry.
Thus in the Law, the ministry of Jesus, and apostolic doctrine, it is clearly taught that those who are taught in the Word should give to the teacher.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED
6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
This is a very strong elaboration of the statement just made. It confirms that what God has ordained cannot be ignored with impunity. If one cites the fact that Paul labored with his hands to support both himself and those with him, it is to be noted that this was not his practice when he was among those who freely supported him. He did receive gifts from Philippi (Phil 4:15-16), and Macedonia (2 Cor 11:9). Philippi even supported Paul when he was in Thessalonica, for he was not allowed to stay there long, and the church was small and fledgling at the time (Phil 4:16). The brethren in Macedonia supported Paul when he was in Corinth because he refused to take support from them, apparently because of their spiritual slowness (2 Cor 11:9).
Paul gives extensive teaching on this matter to the Corinthians. (1) He affirmed that he and Barnabas had the power, or right, to not work for their living. (2) He affirmed it was unreasonable for a soldier to go to war at his own expense. (3) A person who plants and tends a vineyard has a right to partake of its fruits. (4) The shepherd who feeds the flock has a right to partake of the milk that comes from it. (5) The Law commanded that the mouth of the ox that treaded out the grain should not be muzzled. (6) The person who plows, should plow in hope of receiving something. (7) If Paul and Barnabas had sown spiritual things among the Corinthians, it was no great thing if they reaped their carnal things. (8) The Law specified that those who labored in the Temple were to partake of the gifts stored in the Temple. (9) The priests who served at the altar were partakers of the offerings made there. (10) God has ordained that they who preach the Gospel should "receiving their living from the Gospel" NIV (1 Cor 9:6-14).
Even though Paul did not avail himself of this ordained right, and did not write so the Corinthians would start supporting him, yet it was necessary that he write these things to the Corinthians. He told them why he did not receive from them (1 Cor 9:15-19). He expected a reward from the Lord. Apparently, the Corinthians had fallen short in convincing Paul they had actually received what he had preached. Anything received from them would not have been a fruit of the Gospel. That is how sensitive Paul was to the manner in which he was received.
BE NOT DECEIVED. It was necessary to say this word because the manner of the Galatians, like that of the Corinthians, was not consistent. Both the Corinthians and the Galatians had readily received "another gospel" from false teachers. It is assumed they had freely supported these false teachers, thereby encouraging them to continue in their diabolical work.
In receiving these false teachers, however congenial and learned they may have appeared, they had been "bewitched" (Gal 3:1). Now Paul admonishes them to be on guard that they are not deceived. It is therefore the responsibility of every person in Christ to see to it that they are not "deceived" - that they are not led to embrace a lie as though it was the truth - like Eve did in the Garden. Jesus said to His disciples, "Take heed that ye be not deceived" (Lk 21:8). Concerning those who would and would not inherit the Kingdom of God, Paul told the Corinthians, "Be not deceived!" (1 Cor 6:9). Concerning the impact of "evil communications," he wrote, "Be not deceived!" (1 Cor 15:33). Now, concerning the matter he is addressing, Paul says the same words.
GOD IS NOT MOCKED. Other versions read, "cannot be mocked," NIV "God is not made sport of," BBE "no one makes a fool of God!," CJB "God is not to be fooled," NJB "you cannot mock the justice of God," NLT and "God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] AMPLIFIED
This word addresses the matter of the seriousness of neglecting Paul and his message in deference to "another gospel." and teachers that were not sent to them by God (as in 1 Cor 3:5). How will the Lord view a person or a church that has been told the truth, yet failed to conform to it? If God overlooks their insolence, He shall have been "mocked" - and this text affirms this to be an impossibility. It is rather written that God will be "justified" in all of His sayings, and "overcome" in ever instance in which He was judged (Rom 3:4). Further, whoever does not conform to the Word of God, has, in fact, judged Him to be untrue in His sayings.
WHATEVER A MAN SOWETH. Here the life of the individual is what is sown. He lives for some reason, and invests his time and abilities in what he deems to have the priority. Jesus spoke of a man giving his soul, or life, in exchange for something: "what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:37). The Amplified Bile reads, "For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life [in the eternal kingdom of God]? What is a man willing to do to be justified and dwell forever in the house of the Lord? Keep the Law? Be circumcised? Keep the traditions of men? Believe a false gospel? Will he live basically for his own interests, expecting to be applauded by the Almighty?
THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. What a person chooses to do with their life will be precisely compared to what God has required of him. He will reap according to his investment.
REAPING IS INEVITABLE
6:8 "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
This is the inviolable law of the Kingdom. There is no provision for these sayings to be ignored, and yet be at last among those identified with Christ - His "children" (Heb 2:13).
HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH. Other versions read, "his own flesh," NASB "sows to please his sinful nature," NIV "your own flesh," NRSV "his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality)," AMPLIFIED "in the field of their old nature, in order to meet its demands," CJB "plant in the soil of your corrupt nature," GWN "sows for his flesh," NAS "in the field of self-indulgence sows to please his sinful nature," NJB "live only to satisfy their own sinful nature." NLT
Here one's "own flesh"is depicted as a field in which one's resources are sown. That field can also be viewed as the domain of the "temporal" and the "seen" (2 Cor 4:18). It is also comprised of things with which "newness of life" cannot be "yoked" (2 Cor 6:14-16). The "flesh"is that in which nothing essentially good dwells (Rom 7:18). It is the domain in which it is impossible to please God (Rom 8:8). "The flesh" is part of what is going to "pass away" (1 John 2:16-17).
When one's own flesh is treated as though it was not going to pass away, and life is lived as though it is properly focused and summarized in "the natural man," a person is sowing to the flesh. Such an one is investing all that he has and it is in something that will abruptly terminate with the heavens and the earth, when they pass away.
REAPING CORRUPTION. For a person to invest in what God has cursed, fully expecting to be received by God, is living as though God could be mocked, His word ignored, and His great salvation neglected. The Word of God concerning the destiny of the distracted would not be true, and heaven would be populated with disinterested and uncommitted people.
However, this will not be the case. Those who sow the flesh, deferring to the sinful nature, and answering the calls of the flesh to be released from the cross, will "reap corruption." They will spend eternity in a defiled realm that has the characteristics of decay, yet does not decay. In this world, suffering concludes in death, but no such relief will be granted to those who sow to the flesh. They will reap corruption in its most definitive and exact eternal form.
For those in Galatia who had subscribed to circumcision in order to justification, how will circumcision appear when one is stripped of the flesh, and raised with an immortal body? What difference will circumcision in the flesh make then? For that matter, how will a happy family, a financially stable life, or worldly honor and fame appear then? To be sure, there will be such people among the elect. However, they will not be there because they shaped their lives around such things. It is their investment in eternity that will chronicle the cause for their presence.
HE THAT SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT. This has to do with committing our persons and our resources to the Lord - planting, as it were, in the field of the Holy Spirit, where His fruit grows, He directs, and where He intercedes for us in matters for which we do not know how to pray (Rom 8:26-27). The marvelous ministry of the Holy, Spirit is not realized in the domain of the flesh, or where only temporal things exist. The field of the Spirit is one in which "the world to come" is fundamental (Heb 2:5), and this present evil world is incidental (1 John 2:15).
The person who "sows to the Spirit" employs his mind in the survey of eternal matters, pondering them, and shaping life to reflect the priorities revealed therein. Such a person lives in the interest of eternity, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
The life of such a sower depends more upon the resources found in the body of Christ than those that are found in the world. The approval of God is more to be desired than the approval of men. The will of God is preferred above ones own will. Those who are so characterized are sowing to the Spirit, and they can expect a good harvest to come from their deliberate activity.
REAPING ETERNAL LIFE. What a harvest! Eternal life, in which there is not a single aspect of death, decay, weakness, or dissatisfaction. This is why Jesus has received "power over all flesh," in order that He might "give eternal life" to those who have been given to Him (John 17:2-3). This is what will be given to those "who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality - eternal life" (Rom 2:7). Eternal life is "the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Eternal life is what God "promised before the world began" (Tit 1:2). He has "saved us" and "justified us" "that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5-7).
This is the consummate promise that God has given: "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25). This is the ultimate answer to the dilemma of sin, and it will be realized by everyone who "sows to the Spirit" - who plants in the spiritual field where all good and eternal things grow, and where alone the plentiful harvest of the Spirit is realized. As it pertains to our text, those who emphasize and bind wrong things upon God's people are calling upon them to sow their resources in a bad field which will yield corruption.