Download discussion questions: Galatians 5:22 – 6:10
Calvary Institute – Index
As we began discussing the passage, one member of our group suggested five sections of the text:
- Crucifying (5:24)
- Walking (6:1)
- Bearing (6:2-5)
- Sowing (6:6-9)
- Reaping (6:9-10)
These different parts might first appear as isolated topics, almost arbitrarily mentioned by Paul. However, as another person suggested, they do connect together in Paul’s vision of the Christian life for the Galatians and for us.
Crucifying
This part of the passage was included in our discussion last week. Paul has mentioned crucifixion earlier in this letter (2:20, 3:1), and he will underscore it again before he finishes this letter (6:14). He continued to emphasize the work of Christ as the heart of his message in contrast to the Judaizers’ insistence on observance of the Jewish law.
Walking
Walking, or “keeping in step” (v. 25, CSB, ESV, NIV) with the Spirit was also part of our previous discussion. The continuing work of the Spirit in applying the accomplished work of Christ is the source of life for Christians. Paul’s point throughout the letter is that obedience is not based on an obligation to follow the law. Obedience grows out of a desire to follow Christ through the Spirit’s leading.
Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.[1]
Bearing
Paul’s vision of the Christian life empowered by the Holy Spirit is essentially relational. Bearing burdens of others (v. 2) and restoring others in transgression (v. 1) are his commands given to the church corporately. At the same time, Paul recognized the importance of individual responsibility, each one being aware of his own temptation (v. 2) and carrying his own load (v. 5)
We considered some of Paul’s language. Several members of our group suggested possible ways to understand his instructions:
Restore – Help the other person get back on track.
Bear – Listen to the person, letting them express emotions that are burdening them, not just trying to “fix” the other person or treating them as a project.
Temptation – The danger or being drawn into the same sin as the other person. On the other hand, there can be the danger of our pride in being more “spiritual” than the person caught up in struggles or sin.
Boasting – The negative aspect (5:26) of comparison with another person and congratulating ourselves on being more advanced. The positive aspect (v. 4) of self-examination and seeing how God has worked in our own hearts.
Sowing
Paul used the image of sowing and reaping for one more description of the irreconcilable contrast between flesh and Spirit. Our discussion of “sowing to flesh” pointed back to the works of the flesh (5:19-21). A life lived only for self-protection, personal pleasure and comfort, indifference or heartlessness toward others only spirals into growing corruption and a distortion of what God created us to be.
Reaping
Eternal life is how Paul described reaping from the Spirit when we have sown wisely. He could easily have meant both – eternal life for ourselves and eternal life for those around us who have responded to God’s work through us. The description of sowing to the Spirit is other-centered: doing good to others, both outside but especially inside the body of believers.
Soul Care
Sowing to the flesh ultimately is about myself, the conviction that I must protect myself from personal pain at all costs. My highest value becomes comfort, security, and a personal sense of well-being. My needs must be met at any cost to others, i.e., self-obsession.
Sowing to the Spirit is dependence on the God who is infinitely good and loving as we are seeking to know Him and to advance His purposes as the only source of lasting and genuine joy. That joy in Him liberates me to serve others at any cost to myself. Drawing near to God as the first thing in my life is my source of joy, i.e., God-obsession.
We spent the rest of our time considering how soul care provides a framework for applying Paul’s commands in this passage. How do we move out of self-obsession (sowing to the flesh) and further into God-obsession (sowing to the Spirit). Some of our discussion is summarized here.
What emotions or desires are in you? (Think PASSION)
- Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another (5:26).
- Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted (6:1).
- For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work (6:3-4)
- Let us not lose heart in doing good (6:9).
What emotions or desires are in the other person? (Think BENEATH)
- Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass (6:1a).
What might God be doing in the person? (Think VISION)
- you who are spiritual, restore such a one (6:1b).
What has shaped this person? (Think STORY)
- Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (6:7).
What would draw this person toward God? (Think MOVEMENT)
- but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (6:8b).
In future weeks, the plan is to continue discussing and applying soul care as a way of growing in our ability to carry out the kind of community Paul described.
[1] C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperCollins, 1980), 147-148; Kindle Edition Location 1880; emphasis added.