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.
'He that soweth unto his own flesh' х eis (G1519) teen (G3588) sarka (G4561) heautou (G1438)], with a view to fulfilling its desires. He does not say, 'his own spirit,' as he does, 'his own flesh.' For in ourselves we are not spiritual, but carnal. The flesh is essentially selfish.
Corruption, х fthoran (G5356)] - i:e., destruction (Philippians 3:19). Compare as to the believer's deliverance from "corruption," Romans 8:21. The use of "corruption" implies that destruction is not an arbitrary punishment of fleshly-mindedness, but its natural fruit: the corrupt flesh producing corruption, another word for destruction: corruption is the fault, and corruption the punishment (note, Romans 6:21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Peter 2:12). The future life only expands the seed sown here. Men cannot mock God because they can deceive themselves. They who sow tares cannot reap wheat. They alone reap life eternal who sow to the Spirit (Psalms 126:6; Proverbs 11:18; Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Hosea 10:12; Luke 16:25; Romans 8:11; James 5:7).