As I have been re-reading Galatians again, I got to Gal 6.6 again. I was sure I had written on this before, but after going through the archive twice, still couldn’t find it. In the end I had to resort to asking ChatGPT (AI makes a bad master, but it is a great research assistant – as long as you are willing to verify every reference!).
And the problem was that I had buried the lede – not for the first time. But this is so important that I will spell it out again – and give you the reference to the earlier post ( https://seeingthekingdom.com/2022/02/22/context-context-context/ )
According to the NIV, Galatians 6.6 says:
“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”
The King James (and ASV and other related translations) are rather more transcendental:
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
A straight rendering of the Greek is rather different:
“But let the one being taught the word have a share in all good (noble, serviceable) things with the one teaching”
Which then makes more sense of the what follows: “don’t be led astray (literally, ‘don’t be wandered’), God is not to be sneered at. For that which a man may sow, this also he will reap.”
If you read the earlier post, you can see what I reference in terms of Jesus’ example, and of Paul’s. Both were primarily providing for those they led or taught – but were able to receive as well.
But the big point is that whoever is able to teach the Word will also be able to provide for those around them. To teach the Word in return for material support is… well, not supported by what Paul says here. Verse 7 suggests that if a man teaches the Word for financial gain, he is deceived (or deceiving), and (literally) turning his nose up at God. Paul doesn’t spell out what it is that he will reap – but it isn’t looking good.
This is all rather confronting, at least from the standpoint of our church culture; I write this from the perspective of someone who spent over a decade in a “faith” mission, supported by a handful of friends. But I have also seen what it looks like when someone who has discovered God’s goodness and faithfulness starts teaching that so that others can discover the same thing – not because they need a job.
It is the person who knows the Word who therefore has full access to “an uninterruptible bank account in the heavens” (Luke 12.33, θησαυρὸν ἀνέκλειπτον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς), and who can therefore share all good things with those they teach. And they, in their turn, will be able to do the same with those they teach.
No matter how uncomfortable this makes us feel, God’s truth is always better embraced than run from; nor should we bury this if it is – as I think – the lede. Read the whole of Isaiah 61 if you doubt me!
