Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Paul states universal spiritual law. "Be not deceived" (mē planasthe, μὴ πλανᾶσθε)—don't be led astray, don't wander from truth. Present imperative: stop being deceived. "God is not mocked" (theos ou mukhtērizetai, θεὸς οὐ μυκτηρίζεται)—God is not sneered at, not treated with contempt, not trifled with. Muktērizō literally means to turn up the nose at, sneer. People may mock God's law of sowing and reaping, but reality doesn't change.
"For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (ho gar ean speirē anthrōpos, touto kai therisei, ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν σπείρῃ ἄνθρωπος, τοῦτο καὶ θερίσει)—whatever anyone sows, this he'll also reap. Agricultural metaphor: seed determines crop. Sow corn, reap corn; sow weeds, reap weeds. Spiritually: sow to flesh, reap corruption; sow to Spirit, reap eternal life (verse 8). This law operates morally and spiritually. Actions have consequences. You can't sow sin and reap righteousness, or sow selfishness and reap blessing. God's moral order is fixed; mocking it doesn't change it.
Historical Context
The sowing/reaping principle appears throughout Scripture (Job 4:8, Proverbs 22:8, Hosea 8:7, 2 Corinthians 9:6). Jesus used agricultural parables constantly (Matthew 13). Ancient audiences understood: farmers can't cheat harvest—seed determines crop. Paul applies this to Christian life: moral/spiritual sowing determines eschatological harvest. This warns both against sin's consequences (don't deceive yourself that you can sin without reaping) and encourages righteousness (your faithful sowing will yield harvest). God's justice ensures alignment between sowing and reaping; His timing may delay but not prevent harvest.
Questions for Reflection
What are you currently sowing in your life—to flesh or to Spirit—and what harvest should you expect?
How does recognizing that 'God is not mocked' affect your choices when you're tempted to think you can avoid consequences?
In what areas are you deceiving yourself that you can sow one thing but reap something different?
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Analysis & Commentary
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Paul states universal spiritual law. "Be not deceived" (mē planasthe, μὴ πλανᾶσθε)—don't be led astray, don't wander from truth. Present imperative: stop being deceived. "God is not mocked" (theos ou mukhtērizetai, θεὸς οὐ μυκτηρίζεται)—God is not sneered at, not treated with contempt, not trifled with. Muktērizō literally means to turn up the nose at, sneer. People may mock God's law of sowing and reaping, but reality doesn't change.
"For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (ho gar ean speirē anthrōpos, touto kai therisei, ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν σπείρῃ ἄνθρωπος, τοῦτο καὶ θερίσει)—whatever anyone sows, this he'll also reap. Agricultural metaphor: seed determines crop. Sow corn, reap corn; sow weeds, reap weeds. Spiritually: sow to flesh, reap corruption; sow to Spirit, reap eternal life (verse 8). This law operates morally and spiritually. Actions have consequences. You can't sow sin and reap righteousness, or sow selfishness and reap blessing. God's moral order is fixed; mocking it doesn't change it.