Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

He addeth a similitude and an allegory. And this general sentence of sowing he applieth to the particular matter of nourishing and maintaining the ministers of the word, saying: He that soweth in the spirit, ¹that is to say, he that cherisheth the teachers of Gods word, doth a spiritual work and shall reap everlasting life. Here riseth a question whether we deserve eternal life by good works? for so Paul ⟨p. 275⟩seemeth to avouch in this place. As touching such sentences which speak of works and the reward of them, we have treated very largely before in the .5. chapter. And very necessary it is, after the example of Paul, to exhort the faithful to good works, that is to say, to exercise their faith by good works. For if they follow not faith, it is a manifest token that their Faith is no true faith. Therefore the Apostle saith: He that soweth in the flesh (some understand it, in his own flesh), that is to say, he that giveth nothing to the ministers of Gods word, but only feedeth and careth for him self (which is the counsel of the flesh) that man shall of the flesh reap corruption, not only in this present life, but also in the life to come. For the goods of the wicked shall wast away, and they them selves also at length shall shamefully perish. The Apostle would fain stir up his hearers to be liberal and beneficial towards their pastors and preachers. But what a misery is it, that the perverseness and ingratitude of men should be so great, that the churches should need this admonition?