John Calvin 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. Having stated the general sentiment, he now divides it into parts. To sow to the flesh is to look forward to the wants of the present life, without any regard to a future life. Those who do this will gather fruit corresponding to the seed which they have sown—will heap up that which will miserably perish. To sow in the flesh, (seminare in carne,) is supposed by some to mean indulgence in the lusts of the flesh, and corruption to mean destruction; but the former exposition agrees better with the context. In departing from the old translation and from Erasmus, I have not acted rashly. The Greek words, ὁ σπείρων εἰς τὴν σάρκα ἑαυτοῦ, literally signify, he that soweth into his flesh. And what else does this mean, except to be so entirely devoted to the flesh as to direct all our thoughts to its interests or convenience?

But he that soweth to the spirit. By the spirit I understand the spiritual life, to which those are said to sow whose views are directed more to heaven than to earth, and whose life is regulated by the desire of reaching the kingdom of God. From their spiritual employments they will reap in heaven incorruptible fruit.

Those employments are called spiritual because of their purpose, though in some respects they are external and relate to the body, as in the very case now under consideration of supporting pastors. If the Papists endeavor, in their usual manner, to build upon these words the righteousness of works, we have already shown how easily their absurdities may be exposed.

Though eternal life is a reward, it does not follow either that we are justified by works, or that works are meritorious of salvation. The undeserved kindness of God appears in the very act of honoring the works which his grace has enabled us to perform, by promising to them a reward to which they are not entitled.

Is a more complete solution to the question required?