Galatians 6:7

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 6:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Be not deceived, etc..] By false teachers, who, in order to engross all to themselves, dissuaded the Galatians from communicating to their honourable pastors, and faithful ministers of the word; or by themselves, who being of a tenacious and covetous disposition, devised various things to excuse them from performing this their duty to the preachers of the Gospel; as that they had families of their own to maintain, that their circumstances were such that they could give little or nothing this way, and the others, who were of better abilities in life, ought to bear this charge; and with such like things endeavoured to satisfy their consciences in the neglect of their duty: but this was all…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God is not mocked--The Greek verb is, literally, to sneer with the nostrils drawn up in contempt. God does not suffer Himself to be imposed on by empty words: He will judge according to works, which are seeds sown for eternity of either joy or woe. Excuses for illiberality in God's cause (Gal 6:6) seem valid before men, but are not so before God (Psa 50:21). soweth--especially of his resources (Co2 9:6). that--Greek, "this"; this and nothing else. reap--at the harvest, the end of the world (Mat 13:39).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Be not deceived - That is, in regard to your character, and your hopes for eternity. This is a formula of introduction to some admonition that is especially weighty and important. It implies that there was danger that they would be deceived in reference to their character. The sources of the danger were the corruption of their own hearts, the difficulty of knowing their true character, the instructions of false teachers, etc.; see the note at 1 Corinthians 6:9. God is not mocked - He cannot be imposed on, or mocked. He knows what our real character is, and he will judge us accordingly. The word rendered “mocked” (μυκτηρίζω muktērizō), means, properly, to turn up the nose in scorn; hence,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“God is not mocked - Although they attempt to mock him, who think to reap otherwise than they sow. Galatians 6:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:7 you cannot mock the justice of God: God cannot be fooled by spiritual pretenses. All people will harvest the consequences of their actions (what you plant; see also Job 4:8; Ps 126:5; Prov 22:8; Hos 8:7; 10:12-15; Luke 19:21-23; 1 Cor 3:12-15; 9:11; 2 Cor 9:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not: Gal 6:3; Job 15:31; Jer 37:9; Oba 1:3; Luk 21:8; Co1 3:18, Co1 6:9, Co1 15:33; Eph 5:6; Th2 2:3; Jam 1:22, Jam 1:26; Jo1 1:8, Jo1 3:7 God: Job 13:8, Job 13:9; Jde 1:18 for: Job 4:8; Pro 1:31, Pro 6:14, Pro 6:19, Pro 11:18; Hos 8:7, Hos 10:12; Luk 16:25; Rom 2:6-10; Co2 9:6 Galatians 6:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification