(6) Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (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. (9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Within this paragraph, the Apostle hath drawn the outlines of a spiritual man, to distinguish him from one that is wholly carnal. And he makes use of a figure, well known among men, in order to explain. No one that sowed in the earth one kind of grain, ever expected to reap another. And, by a like reasoning, the opposite qualities of flesh and spirit, can never be expected to arise, but as each is sown. The carnal man, in the seed-time of life sowing to the flesh, cannot look forward to the harvest, with an hope to reap spiritually. God is not mocked. Men may deceive themselves, but not the Lord. There will be an exact product, as the man is found carnal or spiritual. Carnal in himself. Spiritual in CHRIST.
But while these are fixed, and unalterable principles, and are here brought forth by the Apostle as an appeal to the common sense of mankind; it should be rightly considered, that Paul is not speaking in relation to the work of God the Spirit on the souls of the regenerate, as though it was their sowing, or hereafter their reaping, will be brought forth from their labors. All is of grace. And, Paul, in this very scripture, so explains it. The reaping of the Lord's people in the end, is of the Lord; for he saith, of the Spirit (not of his own spirit, but God the Holy Ghost) he shall reap life everlasting. Reader! it is very blessed to trace our mercies always to their source. And the Apostle elsewhere urgeth diligence, from this very principle. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
The same train of argument ariseth out of the patience, which the Apostle recommends, in well doing. What well-doing is there of the Child of God, for which he is to expect a reward. Alas! there is nothing, there can be nothing of the creature, for which recompense can be demanded. Sweet are the words of Jesus to this effect, When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded to you, say, we are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:10. Reader! it is good to lay low at the feet of Jesus, under the deep conviction, that all the good that is done upon earth, the Lord doeth it himself. But the Apostle's train of argument is, that the Lord's people should never be weary, nor faint in their minds; at any exercises they meet with, in the present time-state of their existence. Christ is their portion. And in due season, on his account, and for his sake alone, they will reap the blessed fruits of that inheritance, to which, as his people, they are begotten, by his soul-travail, blood-shedding, and righteousness. The expression is not unsimilar to what is said, Hebrews 6:12 : Be ye not slothful, but followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.