Big Idea and Context
Big idea: God is never mocked. Every believer's use of time, money, and resources — starting with support of those who teach — is seed that will yield either decay or lasting reward, so keep sowing to the Spirit without growing weary.
Paul applies walking in the Spirit to the believer's resources. Sowing to the Spirit (6:8) is walking in the Spirit (5:16, 25), put into practice.
- 6:1–5: restore one another; carry your own load.
- 6:6–10: sow to the Spirit; do good to all.
- 6:11–18: Paul's closing, in his own hand.
Sowing to the Spirit — Three Anchor Verses
| Verse | What it says | Teaching point |
|---|
| 6:6 | Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches | Believers share responsibility to support those who teach them (1 Cor 9:1–18). |
| 6:7–8 | Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap … sows to the Spirit will … reap everlasting life | Reaping everlasting life here means its reward — ruling with Christ — not receiving the free gift. |
| 6:9 | In due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart | Finish your own course (2 Tim 4:7). It's a marathon, not a sprint. |
Why 6:8 isn't about earning salvation (Grace NT Commentary): Paul writes to brethren who already have eternal life; 5:21 is about ruling, not entering; 2 Timothy 2:12 is a parallel; and reaping a reward differs from receiving a gift.
Paul's own practice: he had the right to be supported but often chose not to use it, so no one could hinder the gospel (1 Cor 9:12, 18).
Teaching Flow
- The Performance of Sowing and Reaping (6). Support the pastor-teacher. Paul defends that right in 1 Corinthians 9 from warfare, farming, the ox, and the temple — then sets it aside for himself.
- The Principles of Sowing and Reaping (7–8). God is not mocked. You reap only if you sow (John 12:24); you reap what you sow — flesh brings corruption, Spirit brings everlasting life; you reap more than you sow; and you reap later than you sow.
- The Pledge (9). Don't grow weary; the harvest comes in due season if you don't lose heart.
- The Priority (10). As we have opportunity, do good to all, especially the household of faith — that's what families do.
Clarify While Teaching
- Tithes and temple tax: the yearly temple tax was a half-shekel (Exod 30:13; Matt 17:24), separate from the tithes. Estimates that Israel's several tithes totaled about 20–23% are approximate.
- "Brethren" in 3:29: the word isn't in 3:29. Paul calls them brethren in 6:1 and 6:18.
- Two views of 6:10: Sellers prefers the use of resources over the law-and-grace contrast. Both fit Galatians; mention both briefly.
Discussion and Close
- What are you sowing your time and money into right now — the flesh or the Spirit?
- Where are you tempted to grow weary in doing good? What would help you keep going?
- Who in your "household of faith" has a need you could help meet this month?
Close: Point ahead to 6:11–18: Paul takes the pen himself, boasting only in the cross. Let the household of faith be the first place, though never the only place, your good lands.
Full study: Sowing and Reaping — Galatians 6:6–10 · Source: Dr. C. Norman Sellers, SellersBibleInstitute.com
Big Idea and Context
Paul applies walking in the Spirit to the believer's resources. Sowing to the Spirit (6:8) is walking in the Spirit (5:16, 25), put into practice.
Sowing to the Spirit — Three Anchor Verses
Why 6:8 isn't about earning salvation (Grace NT Commentary): Paul writes to brethren who already have eternal life; 5:21 is about ruling, not entering; 2 Timothy 2:12 is a parallel; and reaping a reward differs from receiving a gift.
Paul's own practice: he had the right to be supported but often chose not to use it, so no one could hinder the gospel (1 Cor 9:12, 18).
Teaching Flow
Clarify While Teaching
Discussion and Close
Close: Point ahead to 6:11–18: Paul takes the pen himself, boasting only in the cross. Let the household of faith be the first place, though never the only place, your good lands.
Full study: Sowing and Reaping — Galatians 6:6–10 · Source: Dr. C. Norman Sellers, SellersBibleInstitute.com