Galatians 6:1-10
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (v. 8) The word “corruption” in this verse can be misleading. When we think of corruption, we typically think of financial dealings – embezzlement, money laundering, etc. However, I suspect that corruption when we sow to our flesh in this verse refers to our bodily decay when we die – as opposed to eternal life when we sow to the Spirit.
But before I realized (what I imagine to be) the correct meaning of corruption, I was thinking of our evil human natures. And it is true that the more we focus on earthly things, the greater becomes the temptation for sin with respect to those things. The more we strive for money, the more the love of money becomes our “god”. The more we strive for power or recognition, the more we become enchanted with “the praise of men”. The more we focus on and strive for earthly things, the more we take our eyes off of God. So this “incorrect” understanding of corruption does lend itself to further introspection as to our striving for earthly things. Interesting!
Slava Bohu!
Great point, Fred. You pulled out a specific word. This particular passage gives us so many things (restore others in a spirit of gentleness, bear one another’s burdens, don’t grow weary in doing what’s right, etc.). I focused on the gentleness of correction and encouragement. Jesus spoke truth in a winsome way, though He definitely had sharp words for Pharisees who had hearts of stone.