Galatians 6:6 - Homiletics

The duty of supporting the ministry.

"But let him who is being instructed in the Word communicate with him that teacheth in all good things." The apostle bad spoken of burdens, but he did not mean to exempt the Galatians from the burden of supporting their teachers. Perhaps they were niggardly—for Gaulish avarice was a proverb—and it was necessary to teach them their duty.

I. THIS PASSAGE IMPLIES THAT THERE IS AN ORDER OF MINISTERS IN THE CHURCH . If the ministry was common to all Christians, why should there have been provision made for the support of a particular class?

1 . It is implied that the ministers were teachers, not mere celebrants of ritualistic devotion or spectacle. They taught orally, as the word signifies. It was thus that the early disciples were "nourished up in the words of good doctrine."

2 . It is implied that the Word of God was their text-book. The early Christians were "taught in the Word." They had the Scriptures in their own tongue, and were in a position to test the teaching of their guides as well as "to try the spirits" generally.

3 . It is implied that the teachers relented to devoted themselves entirely to the work of ministry. They had isolated themselves from secular employments, else why should it be necessary to provide them with an independent support?

II. THIS PASSAGE TEACHES THAT MINISTERS ARE TO RECEIVE AN ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE . They are to share "in all good things;" not as a gift or dole, but as a right; for Christ said, "The labourer is worthy of his hire." If inspired teachers like the apostles and prophets deserved this consideration, is it not much more needed for a class of teachers who spend much time and thought in preparation for their work? The duty is clearly set forth by the apostle. ( 1 Thessalonians 2:6 , 1 Thessalonians 2:9 ; 2 Corinthians 11:7 ; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 .; Philippians 4:10 ; 1 Timothy 5:17 , 1 Timothy 5:18 ). Luther says, "Whosoever will not give the Lord God a penny gets his due when he is forced to give the devil a dollar." Calvin suggests that "it is one of the tricks of Satan to defraud godly ministers of support that the Church may be deprived of their services."