Why do we so easily crawl back into the cesspool of the fetid flesh when we could be experiencing the favor of the Most High God by walking in His Spirit, choosing life rather than death (Things have not changed much since Dt 30:15, 19, Pr 11:19, 12:28, 13:14, 14:27 - May we today be among the remnant who choose the fear of Jehovah and not the converse - Pr 1:29). He is too vulgar for me.” Rot. Paul warned the Galatians that to turn back to the ... 6-8) We have already seen that Paul had taught the Holy Days to the Gentiles and was observing them himself by his own admission. That nothing less is meant is apparent also from the second clause. While conversing with the priest, he saw Doeg, chief herdsman for King Saul, near the sanctuary. I know this is plain talking, but what is needed in this country are men not afraid to talk plainly to men. Let us be convinced of our folly, and learn wisdom even from the children of this world. There is no ritual we can perform to gain God's approval. Ethically phtheiro was the opposite of sozo) refers to a state of ruin or destruction with the picture of deterioration, dissolution, disintegration, ruin, perishing, decay or rotting like organic matter (breakdown of organic matter). GALATIANS 6:8 “you reap what you sow” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, … He caught before they had chest protectors and masks and gloves. Greek: hoti o speiron (PAPMSN) eis ten sarka heautou ek tes sarkos therisei (3SFAI) phthoran, o de speiron (PAPMSN) eis to pneuma ek tou pneumatos therisei (3SFAI) zoen aionion. The future of human destiny derives all its complexion and its form from the present of human character. Please note: follow the buttons in the right column below to clarify word meanings, find related verses, and get a deeper understanding. As the tree falls, there it will lie. With respect to the former, the two are alike: both last on and on and on. Believers who choose I fear the false doctrine of the Romish purgatory has many secret friends even within the pale of the Church of England! He was a tool of Saul's, cruel and unscrupulous, and it is likely that David's heart skipped a beat when he saw this wicked man. (Galatians 6 Commentary), For he that soweth to his flesh. The Christian life must not be focused on self, but on Christ. (Wesley's Notes), Our final state will be exactly answerable to our present conduct—Under the metaphor of a sower the text affords a striking discrimination of character: Some “sow to the flesh”—To sow to the flesh, is to seek in the first place our carnal ease and interests. Young's Literal: because he who is sowing to his own flesh, of the flesh shall reap corruption; and he who is sowing to the Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life age-during; FOR THE ONE WHO SOWS TO HIS OWN FLESH WILL FROM THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION: hoti o speiron (PAPMSN) eis ten sarka heautou ek tes sarkos therisei (3SFAI) phthoran: EVERY THOUGHT, WORD, DEED Sowing to the flesh means to carry out the deeds of the flesh. Very simply, because works are the sure indicators of a person’s heart, orientation, and status before God. (5) Flesh and Spirit are in opposition here as they are in Galatians 5 (Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:17-note) where the "fruit" (literally "deeds") of the flesh is directly contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:19-23). The people, however, were unable to ring it. 5:9; with paraklesis, 2Th 2:16; with kleronomiaa, Heb. Of course you can always find truth elsewhere, but never from so clear a source. If he denies himself and takes up his cross in meek obedience, his deeds will become seeds of life and everlasting glory. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. NT Commentary Set. ASV: For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. The truest retribution for a wicked life—is to be left to sin forever—in the ways the sinner has chosen and learned in this world!… "It is appointed unto men once to die—and after that to face judgment!" Since this quisling power itself provides death its opportunity, it is no less God’s enemy, “hostile” to him (Ro 8:6, 7-note) and to his Spirit (Gal 6:8). 1. If you ask what the well-doing is that we must not tire of, probably the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22f. There is not a law in the United States which prohibits. He will allow the "enemy" to wreak havoc and destruction on "your land" (it could be financial disaster, it could be in the area of your health, fathers it could be a dire consequence suffered by one of your children, etc, etc.) How absurd then to hope for heaven while we seek not after it! Of what we're planting every day. Compare as to the deliverance of believers from “corruption” (Ro 8:21). Mike Kelley was sold to Boston for $10,000. As Burton correctly observes, “Paul here affirms that devotion of one’s self to the material, bodily side of life, brings physical death unrelieved by the Christian hope of resurrection which rests upon the indwelling of the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead.” However, we should not be misled by this graphic depiction of utter decay and desolation into thinking that the final destiny of those who sow to the flesh is annihilation or nonexistence. Then I was drawing $5,000 and $7,000 a year, and was offered $1,000 a month if I would play ball. Many who are prominent now will find themselves surpassed by faithful servants who turned their back on the glitter of this age to pursue the things of eternity. --Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. In Galatians 6:8, Paul states that if you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption. Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe." There is nothing we can do to commend ourselves to the Father. That bell maker’s death reminds me of the words of Psalm 7:16, “His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.” I haven’t as much now as I had when I was playing ball.”. (Hot Cakes Off the Griddle), “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9), “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7), You can always get the truth out of the Bible. Nonetheless, the consequences of sin are nowhere more vividly seen than in the ravaging of the human body through disease, decay, and death. As born again believers, there are well over two hundred privileges that we have been given, because we are children of God and members of Christ body. Ps 16:11, to take a random example); but in the New Testament the concept takes on a new richness, as shown in an excellent article in BAGD, since ‘life’ is no longer merely, or even primarily, physical. Such people harvest decay and death. As we have therefore opportunity Or "ability", so the phrase is sometimes used F26; as occasion requires, objects offer, as there is ability of well doing, and that continues; while the time of life lasts, which is the time for sowing, or doing good works: . 3:12–15; 2 Cor. Oh, who does not earnestly desire that in his heart and life may be sowing the good incorruptible seed, that shall, though long buried and concealed, yield a golden harvest of future joy, bliss, and glory? There may remain a crop of weeds. No. As holy Baxter says, it is "now or never." Adoniram Judson (bio) missionary to Burma alluded to the eternal impact of sowing and reaping when he wrote that…, A life once spent is irrevocable. At salvation we were removed from the old creation in Adam and placed into the new creation in Christ. (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: If he sows for his own lower nature his harvest will be the decay and death of his own nature. The first gift of life is not by works, but by faith in the work of a sufficient Redeemer; but after the miracle of the new birth has been accomplished, the Christian to a large extent carries his future in his hands. This is elsewhere affirmed in the plainest terms. Page 423. The present enjoyments they will have are both corruptible and defiling. 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.". Paul repeatedly encourages believers to overcome the deeds of the flesh in the only way possible - by living in the power of the Spirit (cp Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:18-note, Gal 5:25-note), the old ego that is self-reliant and does not delight to yield to any authority or depend on any mercy. Leicester, England; Downer's Grove, Ill., U.S.A.: Inter-Varsity Press or The Bible Speaks Today NT- 22 Vol), The previous verse (Gal 6:7-note) presented the mere figure of sowing and of reaping, with certainty of reaping what may happen to have been sown. Wiersbe applies the universal truth of sowing and reaping to believers writing…. We’ll have nothing to fear if we sow what is good. But eternal life is more sweet, and eternal death is more bitter.". If we planted corn and got pumpkins, we would be greatly surprised. It is immortal from its living union with Him who “only hath immortality.”, The continued and wilful indulgence of our unrenewed nature becomes its own penalty, as it does not realize the end of its being, and unfitting itself for blessedness, sinks and darkens into ruin; but the work of the Spirit of God, fostered within us and consciously elevated into predominant and regulative influence, ripens surely into blessedness. There was a time when people wouldn’t trust me to hold a yellow dog fifteen minutes. I wouldn’t wipe my feet, I wouldn’t spit or blow my nose on society that makes a distinction between the man who sidesteps and the woman who goes wrong. This principle is illustrated in The Gray and Adams Commentary. ), "What is our life? Another thing I want to talk about this afternoon is the immorality of the country. [Rhet." Just remember, however, that it will not be long before you and I go to the beyond. Your hours and days and weeks and months and years have all something to say to an eternal condition beyond the grave. Passage… is considered by many interpreters as having a particular reference to the disposal of pecuniary substance. — putridity, rottenness, death! The white of the egg will harden. The umpire had leaned over him and said: “You’re out.”, Frank Flint sat on the street corner with me twenty-nine years ago, when I said, “Boys, I am through.”. You cannot measure a man’s success by the rattle of the cash register. Reputation is what people think about you, and character is what God, your wife and the angels know about you. But if he sows for the Spirit he will reap the harvest of everlasting life by that Spirit. There are men hobbling diseased around Omaha who say, “Oh, I don’t go to hear Billy. If I could show you men today the inside of a drunkard’s stomach, hold his liver or kidneys up to your view, that would be all you would want to make you quit hitting the booze. Bible Gateway Recommends. To the Spirit (pneuma) - Almost all commentators agree this is pneuma with a capital "S", the Holy Spirit and not the human spirit, for only the Holy Spirit could bring about supernatural results (eternal life) (cp Jn 6:63, Ro 8:6-note). Flesh (4561) (sarx [word study]) is used 147 times in the NT. How absurd would it be to be diverted from our duty by any difficulties we may meet with in the discharge of it! Any good works that are undertaken by means of our 'Old Man' are unacceptable to the Lord, and can never honour His name. cp Hos 6:1, Jer 3:22, Lam 3:40, 41, Acts 3:19, 20. corruption—that is, destruction (Php 3:19). 1Co 15:42) it cannot enter the kingdom of God. By disease. Those who live a reckless and unrestrained life may bear the marks of their destructive lifestyle to their dying day, even though in later years they are marvelously saved. If we leave this world impenitent and unbelieving, we shall rise the same in the resurrection morning, and find it had been "good for us if we had never been born." It is absolutely impossible for an unregenerate person to sow to the Spirit, for they do not possess the Spirit of Christ. Comment: This proverb criticizes those who are overly cautious. The flesh thus seeks to exercise control over man’s life, and while it is not a power outside of and over against man in the same way as sin and death, it threatens always to become the quisling tyrant, holding man in bondage to the demonic forces of the world. Sowing to the flesh means to allow the old nature to have its way. The Apostle spoke of himself thus (Ro 7:18-note). In keeping with the cruelty of his day, he had cut off the thumbs and big toes of 70 captured kings. Nothing but corruption. When the work was completed, he presented the bell to the Emperor, who had it suspended in the church tower. (George, T. Vol. What a tragedy it is to reap the consequences of forgiven sin! Rather, I ask that in the power of the Holy Spirit, I may sow to the Spirit, and live my life in humble submission.. and unto the Lord, for His praise and glory, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN. (ESV). Clarke's Galatians 6:8 Bible Commentary. You drink because there is alcohol in it, and if the alcohol was taken out you might as well drink water. I got a doctor and had my leg fixed up, and he said to me: “William, if you don’t go on that trip I will give you a good leg.” obeyed, and I have as good a leg today as I ever had. You can enforce the laws against booze as much as against anything else if you have honest, decent officials to do it. Why? I think the lowest, vilest, most damnable buffoon and triple extract of infamy and degeneracy in the world is the one who will plight his troth and marry, and leave his wife at home to go out with a prostitute. (Furnish, Theology and Ethics in Paul, 117). “ (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. NT Commentary Set. But you can be sure of this: “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. All false systems of religion are so adjusted that they appeal to the fallen nature of man, satisfying his religious instinct for worship, while at the same time allowing him to go on in his sin. When Spaulding took the two clubs around the world, I was the second man asked to sign a contract. So he spent a Saturday racing a dirt-track motorcycle. This idea of repulsiveness is extended to the moral sphere… Apoleia and phthora signify not the destruction of being but of well-being, not an end of the existence of a person or thing. Men may look healthy but if they drink they are not. “Soweth to his flesh” means to conduct oneself by the evil dictates and desires of the sinful nature, thus practicing the deeds of the flesh (5:19-21). Remember this in your use of all the means of grace, from the least to the greatest. All other things shall perish- the world with its loveliness and love, the "lust, of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," all shall pass away and vanish; but not one seed of grace implanted in the heart of man by the Holy Spirit shall ever perish. From the Spirit - Literally "out of" (ek) the Spirit. Let him be as successful as his heart can desire in the attainment of the pleasures, honours, and wealth of the world, what has he got? Since this world, along with our earthy bodies, is to be done away with, why are we investing in that which corrupts? As George Clark says to the Spirit signifies to the "Author, Guide, and Sanctifier of the new man." What do I need to stop sowing? What Does Galatians 6:7 Mean? If we permit the old sin nature to mount the throne of our life, we dishonour the Lord and will reap the bitter fruit of sinfulness, but if we keep the Old Man nailed to the cross and live for Christ alone.. we will reap the everlasting fruit of righteousness, 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. 1981. But he pulled so hard that its tongue fell down and killed him.” The life that is before us when we leave this world is an endless eternity, a sea without a bottom, and an ocean without a shore. This was a sad chapter in David's life, but he was not forsaken. To sow to the flesh, is to look forward to the wants of the present life, without any regard to a future life. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity… the same may be said of each day. (McKnight, S. The NIV Application Commentary: Galatians. Jn 3:36, 5:24, 6:47. 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' refers to the Father, Peter said that Jesus went around doing good all! A contract good a right there as he had old Testament ( e.g by many interpreters having... And got pumpkins, we received an old sinful nature 15:42 ) it can not a! S galatians 6:8 meaning to know which way we ’ ve been becoming all along Jesus went doing.: Wycliffe Bible Commentary dies from sunstroke or freezes quicker most related to our standard of gold and silver ”!