Albert Barnes Commentary Galatians 6:8

"For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life." — Galatians 6:8 (ASV)

For he that soweth to his flesh. This refers to one who makes provision for the indulgence of fleshly appetites and passions. (See Barnes on Galatians 5:19 and Galatians 5:20-21). He is one who uses his property to give indulgence to licentiousness, intemperance, and vanity.

Shall of the flesh. This means from the flesh, or as that which indulgence in fleshly appetites properly produces. Punishment, under the Divine government, is commonly in the line of offenses. The punishment of licentiousness and intemperance in this life is commonly loathsome and offensive disease; and, when long indulged, the sensualist becomes haggard, and bloated, and corrupted, and sinks into the grave.

Such, also, is often the punishment of luxurious living, of a pampered appetite, of gluttony, as well as of intemperate drinking. But if the punishment does not follow in this life, it will be sure to overtake the sensualist in the world to come. There he will reap ruin final and everlasting.

Corruption.

1. By disease.

2. In the grave—the home to which the sensualist rapidly travels.

3. In the world of woe. There all will be corrupt. His virtue, even the semblance of virtue, will all be gone. His understanding, will, imagination—his whole soul—will be debased and corrupt. No virtue will linger and live on the plains of ruin, but all will be depravity and woe. Everything in hell is debased and corrupt; and the whole harvest of sensuality, in this world and the world to come, is degradation and defilement.

But he that soweth to the Spirit. This refers to one who follows the leading and cultivates the affections which the Holy Spirit would produce. (See Barnes on Galatians 5:22-23).

Shall of the Spirit. This means as the result of following the leading of the Spirit.

Reap life everlasting. (See Barnes on Romans 2:7).

For "corruption," see also "destruction." Compare "to the Spirit" with Proverbs 11:18 and James 3:18.