Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

God is Not Mocked
Galatians 6: 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load. 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians at the church in Galatia. He is writing of how we Christians should carry our own load. 

In dealing with sin in others, Paul writes “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (v.1a). Christians should help those Christians who have fallen away. We should gently help to restore them. As we help them we should also be careful not to let ourselves fall into the same temptations (v.1b). 

Christians should show love for one another by carrying their burden (v.2a). This is an act of Christian love (v. 2b). We should not deceive ourselves by thinking that we are better than them (v.3). We should “examine” our “own work” (v.4a). Are we sinning just like those we are helping, only in a different way (v. 4b)? We can only “rejoice” when we remove the “plank” (Mt. 7:1-5) from our own eye (v. 4c-5). 

That “plank” could be our own sin of not providing for those who do God’s work. We “should share in all good things with him who teaches” (v.6). Believers are responsible to support their Christian teachers. 

Paul writes not to be deceived (v. 7a). “God is not mocked” (v. 7b). Do not try to mock God by pretending to be righteous while ignoring the needs of His servants. There will be a consequence. We reap what we sow (v.7c). 

Those who spend to please their “flesh”, earthly pleasures and comforts, will reap “corruption” (v. 8a). But those who spend to support “the Spirit”, the works of the Holy Spirit, will reap “everlasting life” (v. 8b). 

Paul exhorts us not to become discouraged (v. 9a). Our rewards are certain even though they may not be immediate. The harvest will surely come, in its own “season” (v. 9b). He encourages us not to give up doing good (v.9c). Paul concludes that we should do good to all people, but most especially to our fellow Christians who are doing the work of God (v.10). 

In this passage, Paul is writing of sin. He is reminding us that it is sin to ignore the needs of those who teach God’s word. We are to help other Christians with their sin burden, but if we are not providing for our teachers we are just as guilty. 

We can not think of ourselves as any better than others, just because our sin is different. He will not be fooled by one who pretends to be righteous, but ignores the needs of His servants. We reap what we sow. God is not mocked.