Three Rules To Live By:
Introduction
v.7
Be not deceived (μη πλανασθε [mē planāsthe]). Present passive imperative with μη [mē], “stop being led astray” (πλαναω [planaō], common verb to wander, to lead astray as in Matt. 24:4f.). God is not mocked (οὐ μυκτηριζεται [ou muktērizetai]). This rare verb (common in LXX) occurs in Lysias. It comes from μυκτηρ [muktēr] (nose) and means to turn the nose up at one. That is done towards God, but never without punishment, Paul means to say. In particular, he means “an evasion of his laws which men think to accomplish, but, in fact, cannot” (Burton). Whatsoever a man soweth (ὁ ἐαν σπειρῃ ἀνθρωπος [ho ean speirēi anthrōpos]). Indefinite relative clause with ἐαν [ean] and the active subjunctive (either aorist or present, form same here). One of the most frequent of ancient proverbs (Job 4:8; Arist., Rhet. iii. 3). Already in 2 Cor. 9:6. Same point in Matt. 7:16; Mark 4:26f. That (τουτο [touto]). That very thing, not something different. Reap (θερισει [therisei]). See on Matt. 6:26 for this old verb.
The fact that those who receive instruction are called upon to contribute to the support of the teacher shows that such teaching in all probability was not undertaken merely as a voluntary and relatively light avocation (comparable to the work of a modern Bible-class teacher) but occupied in preparation for it and the work itself, if not the teacher’s whole time, yet enough so that it was necessary to compensate him for the loss of income which he thus sustained. In short, it is a class of paid teachers to which this verse refers
To the apostle’s thought the attitude of the Galatians towards their teachers is but a specific example of their attitude towards life in general. If they are unreceptive to spiritual teaching, and, undervaluing it, are unwilling to support their teachers, preferring to spend their money on themselves, they are sowing to (for the benefit of) their own fleshly natures, and the harvest will be corruption. If, on the other hand, recognising their need of teaching and its value, they are of receptive mind towards those who are able to instruct them and willingly contribute of their goods that such teaching may continue, they are sowing to (for the benefit of) the spirit, and the harvest will be eternal life.
“Do not be deceived...”
“God is not mocked”
The only NT use is at Gl. 6:7. The apostle has given the admonition to walk in the Spirit, 5:25, and in contrast he portrays for the Galatians a walk in the flesh, i.e., an attitude of life which is disobedient to God and which will not place itself under the power of His Spirit. Both ways involve a stance in relation to the will of God. He who decides against this, says Paul, will learn in his whole being, both in time and also in the last judgment, that he has set himself against none other than God Himself. And God will not allow His will and grace to be treated with contempt through man’s obeying and trusting his carnal and sinful nature and not God. Thus μυκτηρίζω is a term for despising God, His grace and His will, by an attitude to life which is sinful because it will not accept the lordship of the power of the Spirit. The reference is not to verbal scoffing but to the despising of God by a man’s being, by his whole manner of life.
μυκτηρίζω from μυκτήρ (nose); strictly turn up one’s nose at; hence treat with contempt, mock, sneer at (GA 6:7)