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.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
For
G3754
ὅτι
For
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 24
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπείρων
he that soweth
G4687
σπείρων
he that soweth
Strong's:
G4687
Word #:
3 of 24
to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς
flesh
G4561
σαρκὸς
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
6 of 24
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ἑαυτοῦ
his
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
7 of 24
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
8 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς
flesh
G4561
σαρκὸς
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
10 of 24
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
φθοράν
corruption
G5356
φθοράν
corruption
Strong's:
G5356
Word #:
12 of 24
decay, i.e., ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπείρων
he that soweth
G4687
σπείρων
he that soweth
Strong's:
G4687
Word #:
15 of 24
to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος
the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματος
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
18 of 24
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
19 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 8:13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.James 3:18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.2 Peter 2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.Job 4:8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.Hosea 10:13Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.Romans 13:14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.Galatians 6:7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.Proverbs 22:8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.John 4:36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.Revelation 22:11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Historical Context
Paul consistently contrasts flesh and Spirit as opposing life-principles (Romans 8:1-13). Sowing to flesh means living for earthly, temporal, selfish pursuits—immediate gratification, worldly success, fleshly pleasures. Sowing to Spirit means investing in eternal realities—holiness, service, spiritual disciplines, kingdom advancement. The harvests differ: flesh produces decay (relationships ruined, character corrupted, life wasted); Spirit produces eternal life (Christ-likeness, kingdom fruit, eschatological reward). This motivates present choices by eternal consequences. What we do now matters forever.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific daily choices constitute sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit in your life?
- How does meditation on the ultimate harvest (corruption versus eternal life) affect your present sowing decisions?
- In what practical ways can you shift resources (time, money, energy) from flesh-sowing to Spirit-sowing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul specifies the two sowings and reapings. "For he that soweth to his flesh" (hoti ho speirōn eis tēn sarka heautou, ὅτι ὁ σπείρων εἰς τὴν σάρκα ἑαυτοῦ)—the one sowing into his own flesh, investing in fleshly pursuits, gratifying fleshly desires. "Shall of the flesh reap corruption" (ek tēs sarkos therisei phthoran, ἐκ τῆς σαρκὸς θερίσει φθοράν)—will from the flesh harvest decay, ruin, destruction. Phthora (φθορά) is corruption, decay, destruction—both present consequences and eternal judgment.
"But he that soweth to the Spirit" (ho de speirōn eis to pneuma, ὁ δὲ σπείρων εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα)—the one sowing into the Spirit, investing in spiritual realities, walking in the Spirit. "Shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (ek tou pneumatos therisei zōēn aiōnion, ἐκ τοῦ πνεύματος θερίσει ζωὴν αἰώνιον)—will from the Spirit harvest eternal life. This isn't earning salvation (that's by grace through faith alone) but describes the harvest faithful believers reap: increasing life now and eternal life ultimately. Sowing to Spirit produces Spirit-fruit (5:22-23) and eschatological reward.