Commentary on Galatians 6:7-10

WE MUST DO GOOD IN VIEW OF THE JUDGMENT TO COME

A Summary of Galatians 6:7-10~As a last and supreme motive why the Galatians should be zealous and instant in good of every kind St. Paul reminds them of the judgment to come. Reflection on this salutary truth will give weight and fuller meaning to all the advice he has given them.

Gal 6:7. Be not deceived, God is not mocked.

Some scholars connect this verse and its severe warning with what has been said in the preceding verse regarding the duty of giving temporal assistance in exchange for spiritual benefits. But since that duty, while certain, is after all not of the most serious nature and not the most definite and precise, it would seem that the grave admonition of the present verse has reference rather to the obligation of living a Christian life in general, of living by the spirit and not according to the flesh. To profess Christianity, and yet obey the lusts and promptings of the lower nature is surely to mock God, and to prepare for one’s self a terrible judgment.

Gal 6:8. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.
This verse is explanatory of the preceding one. The harvest depends chiefly upon the kind of seed that is sown and upon the soil in which it is sown. If one sows in the flesh, then he must expect the corruption which alone the flesh can produce; but if, in the spirit, i.e., if one performs good works which proceed from the grace of God in his soul, he will reap as his harvest life everlasting. This verse is a proof that good works done in and through grace can merit eternal life as their recompense.

Spirit here does not mean the Holy Ghost, but grace, the supernatural principle of the spiritual life.

Gal 6:9. And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing.

There is question here of perseverance in doing good, in performing those acts and deeds that proceed from God’s grace in the soul.

Let us not fail, i.e., let us not grow weary or faint-hearted, for at the time appointed by the Master of the field we shall reap our eternal harvest, provided we persevere.
The Greek Fathers give a peculiar interpretation to not failing, namely, that the reaping of the heavenly harvest will be without lassitude or fatigue.

Gal 6:10. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

The practical conclusion now drawn is that during the present life we should try to do as much good as possible (Cornely, Lightfoot) to all the world, but in particular to those of the faith of Christ. Christians are considered as members of the household of God.