Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Study Note
Study Note
The contrast — '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' — applies the agricultural principle of verse 7 to the pneumatological anthropology central to Galatians. The 'flesh' (sarx) in Galatians consistently refers not to physical body but to the human person oriented by self-sufficiency and independence from the Spirit, encompassing the Torah-observance party's trust in circumcision as much as moral vice. 'Eternal life' as the harvest of Spirit-sowing links the present ethical choices of the believer to the ultimate eschatological gift, without making that gift a human achievement. The verse is one of the most compact integrations of eschatology and ethics in Paul, showing that present choices have ultimate consequences within a framework of divine gift rather than mere moral causation.
Other Translations
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.
because he who is sowing to his own flesh, of the flesh shall reap corruption; and he who is sowing to the Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life age-during;
Because he who puts in the seed of the flesh will of the flesh get the reward of death; but he who puts in the seed of the Spirit will of the Spirit get the reward of eternal life.
Cross References
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall …
Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they …
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield …
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in …
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or …