Fathers

Galatians 6

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Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. For each man will bear his own burden. But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised; just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel. From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Galatians 6:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

And here he points out the difference between ambition of this kind, and in temporal affairs, by saying, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 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." As in the case of seeds, one who sows pulse cannot reap corn, for what is sown and what is reaped must both be of one kind, so is it in actions, he that plants in the flesh, wantonness, …

Homily on Galatians 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since often some accused teachers of a bad life, despised them, and did not feed them in their poverty, he, although he says this later too: "let us not grow weary in doing good," nevertheless even now shows that one must be generous even toward such teachers, since this expenditure goes toward a spiritual matter. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Oecumenius

"God is not mocked." He is not deceived, nor does he give evil to the good, or good in return to the evil. For it is necessary that the unfruitful be equal to the seed. And no one, having sown beans, would reap wheat.

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a person sows, that will he also reap. By foreseeing with the Spirit, those who are being taught are able to provide for the needs and expenses of their teachers and to claim poverty, saying, 'My field has withered this year due to drought, my vineyard has been destroyed by hail, the taxes that could have been paid have been seized.' I do not have what is required to give. Therefore, do not be deceived, God is not mocked. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked," he forestalls an excuse. He says, therefore: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked." This can be taken in two ways, according to the two explanations given above. According to the first, this way: You say that we ought to imitate our teachers even in good things, but I cannot imitate them save in the things they do; and the only thing I observe in them is evil. Therefore, I ought to imitate them in evil. But he dismisses this, when he says, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked". …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Bonaventure

"What a man shall sow, that also shall he reap." If a lord were to give his servant grain to sow his field, and that servant were to put the grain in a sack and not sow it: the land would bear fruit poorly, indeed it would cry out against him. Just as mercy is a friend of wisdom, so avarice is its enemy. The avaricious deride all who do not love money.

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 9 ↗