“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
My Notes
What Does Galatians 6:7 Mean?
Paul issues a warning with the force of a law of nature: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. The principle is as reliable as agriculture — the harvest matches the seed.
"Be not deceived" — the warning begins with the possibility of deception. You can convince yourself that the law of sowing and reaping does not apply to you. You would be wrong.
"God is not mocked" — the word mocked (mukterizo) means to turn up the nose at, to sneer at. You cannot sneer at God's moral order and escape the consequences. The universe runs on sowing and reaping, and God is not intimidated by those who pretend otherwise.
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" — the law is comprehensive (whatsoever), individual (a man), and certain (shall). No exceptions. No loopholes. The harvest comes.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where are you sowing one thing and expecting to harvest something different?
- 2.What does 'God is not mocked' mean for attempts to circumvent moral consequences?
- 3.How is the law of sowing and reaping both a warning and an encouragement?
- 4.What seeds are you planting right now that will produce a harvest you want — or do not want?
Devotional
Be not deceived; God is not mocked. The universe has a moral structure. It operates on sowing and reaping. And no one — no matter how clever, how powerful, or how self-deceived — can mock that structure without consequence.
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Whatsoever. Not some things. Everything. The seed you plant produces a harvest that matches. Plant corruption, harvest corruption. Plant the Spirit, harvest life (v.8).
The deception Paul warns about is the belief that you can plant one thing and harvest another. That you can sow selfishness and reap blessing. That you can sow to the flesh and avoid the corruption. The field does not lie. The harvest always tells the truth about the seed.
God is not mocked. You cannot sneer at the moral order and escape it. The person who thinks they are the exception to sowing and reaping is the person the warning was written for.
What are you sowing? Not what do you intend to sow. What are you actually planting — in your relationships, your habits, your thoughts, your investments of time? The harvest is coming. And it will match the seed exactly.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture