The sowing and reaping proverb (6:7–8)

Says “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return” (Gal 6:7; θεὸς οὐ μυκτηρίζεται, “God is not mocked”). “The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction”, “but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (6:8; ὁ σπείρων εἰς τὴν σάρκα ἑαυτοῦ, “the one sowing into his own flesh”). Paul goes on, “in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (6:9).

The image of sowing and reaping is old in Scripture: “those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same” (Job 4:8); “He who sows injustice will reap disaster” (Prov 22:8); “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” (Hos 8:7).

Implies Because the saying of 6:7 is followed by two kinds of sowing with two harvests (6:8), the text applies a familiar rule of the field to the flesh and the Spirit.

Uncertain Whether Paul draws on a saying current outside Scripture is open; this background does not fix the meaning of the text.