Galatians 6:8
What does Galatians 6:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 6:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 6:8 means
Two fields lie before every person. To “sow to the flesh” is to feed the self-centered, sinful nature, which inevitably produces decay and ruin. To “sow to the Spirit” is to invest in what the Spirit desires and enables—holiness, love, and obedience—which yields “eternal life.” This life is both a future inheritance and a present quality shaped by fellowship with God. Paul is not teaching salvation by works; rather, he is describing the outworking of faith. Where the Spirit has sown new life, believers actively plant seeds consistent with that life, expecting a harvest that corresponds to the Spirit’s nature and promise.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because he who puts in the seed of the flesh will of the flesh get the reward of death; but he who puts in the seed of the Spirit will of the Spirit get the reward of eternal life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because he who is sowing to his own flesh, of the flesh shall reap corruption; and he who is sowing to the Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life age-during;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For he that sows to his own flesh, shall reap corruption from the flesh; but he that sows to the Spirit, from the Spirit shall reap eternal life:
Context
This verse sharpens the sowing-and-reaping principle by contrasting two paths and their outcomes. It explains why supporting spiritual work (v. 6) and doing good (v. 10) matter. It also counters the legalistic push toward outward rituals by framing Christian living as Spirit-directed rather than law-based. The encouragement of verse 9 will build on this, urging perseverance with the assurance that a Spirit-formed harvest will come “in due season.”
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 4:8
According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, And sow trouble, reap the same.
- Hosea 8:7
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: he hath no standing grain; the blade shall yield no meal; if so be it yield, strangers shall swallow it up.
- Revelation 22:11
He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
- Psalms 126:5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
- Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
- Hosea 10:13
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies; for thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
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