6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The twofold word about bearing burdens expressed in 2 and 5 is now thrust by Paul on his readers in a particular instance, and also as a general principle, which is itself applied in a number of ways in relation to the theme of the flesh and the Spirit in 5:17ff. In 6, he indicates that the burden of the teacher's support and maintenance is one that must necessarily be borne by others, since he is to live by the gospel. On the other hand, the responsibility each believer has for 'communicating' in this way is one that lies fairly and squarely on him alone, and cannot be passed on to another. In this particular sense every man carries his own responsibility in the sight of God. Paul feels so strongly about this that he can go on to say that a solemn law of spiritual life applies decidedly to this. To evade one's responsibility in this is to sow seeds that will reap a certain harvest (7). To neglect it is to mock God. Christian liberality - not merely in the sense of giving money, but also in the sense of giving oneself 'in all good things', in a stewardship of time and talents, compassion, and encouragement and care - is a bearing of others' burdens, and it is also a responsibility concerning which we shall have to give an account before God. It is also an evidence of the Holy Spirit's working in the life of the believer. The discipline of the cross, and the life of the Spirit - these are the roots from which this flows.