The Application Of Galatians 6:10
"So then, as we have oportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith."
Whenever good men differ over the meaning or application of a passage of scriputre it should occasion a more studious search on the part of all concerned. Frequently we are led by such re-examination to discover our error.
The passage we are reviewing is a splendid example of such need. Difference here among brethren lies in application rather than meaning. Whether the passage contemplates individual action or the action of a local congregation, as such, or even both, poses the problem.
Individual Christians constitute a local congregation (1 Cor. 1:1-2). A Christian is the unit of the congregation like a citizen is the unit of the government. Certainly every command to the congregation is a command to the members since the church cannot function without its members. A thing cannot function without the functioning of that which constitutes it. In this point of view all congregational action is action of Christians. Erin this it has been incorrectly argued inversely that everything the Christian does the congregation does. This is no more correct than to suppose that since the government is the sum total of its citizens, that what the government does is in reality the citizens doing it and whatever a citizen does is the government doing it!
That Galatians 6:10 has its application to individual Christians rather than to the congregation or congregations as such is seen from the context. The verse begins with "So then", a term of summation and review relating inseparately to the preceding verses, namely that we shall reap in due season if we faint not. This "reaping" is a consequence of action on the part of individuals, not congregations. In verse 7 it is stated that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Where is the person who would apply this action to a congregation? But, since we reap what we sow we are not to despair in well-doing that a harvest will come to us in due time and for this we are to work that which is good toward all men for if we should work evil to any then evil will be harvested by us in return. Does any man doubt this to be the run of the argument here?
It has been affirmed that since the epistle, in which our present study centers, was addressed "unto the churches of Galatia" that it contemplates what congregations rather than Christians are to do. Since these things have been said, we ought to pay them our respects.
First, examine the salutation further in chapter one. It reads: " — unto the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world — ". (Emphasis mine, WLW). Did Jesus die for the sins of the "churches"? Does God propose to deliver the "churches" out of this present evil world? To ask such question is to answer it. While written to the churches it contemplates individual action.
Secondly, what is the merit of the argument that states: matters addressed to churches involve church action rather than individual action. If this reasoning be valid, then it will follow that all action contemplated in Galatians is church action rather than individual for the entire epistle is addressed to the "churches of Galatia". Try that line on the following verses and make application to congregations rather than Christian individuals.
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27)
"And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father." (Gal. 4:6)
"If ye receive circumcision Christ will profit you nothing." (Gal. 6:12)
Remember, all of this was written to the "churches of Galatia", yet there is no man who would make application of it to congregations rather than individuals, and our problem, remember, is not as to the meaning of Galatians 6:10 but its application.
There remains but one other approach, with which I am familiar, to prove that congregations may by the authority of this verse, minister physical necessities to those who are not saints. Our attention is called to Galatians 6:6 where the one who is taught in the word is to communicate to him that teacheth in all good things. Then in 2 Cor. 11:8, Paul mentions having taken wages of churches. From this combination of teaching it is correctly argued that gospel teachers may be supported by (1) individuals directly to their teacher or (2) by taking funds for the support of the teacher directly from the common treasury of the congregation. Further, that when a preacher is so supported from the common funds it is simply then a means by which each individual in the congregation supports the one who teaches him. This is all unquestionably established by the Scriptures.
From this, many have passed on from verse 6 to verse 10 and have concluded that while verse 10 is applicable to an individual that such individuals may take from the common treasury of the congregation and "work that which is good toward all men" just like they can support the teacher (vs. 6) in that way. But what they overlook is this. Verse 6 does not authorize congregational support of the teacher; verse 6 authorizes individual support. The passage that authorizes congregational support is not Gal. 6:6 but rather 2 Cor. 11:8! If it were not for such passages as 2 Cor. 11:8 preachers would have to be supported by each individual in his own capacity!. When men try to get congregational action in general benevolence they need a passage that deals with the congregation rather than the individual's action. In the matter of supporting preachers or teachers we have passages in both fields and therefore authority for either individual or congregational support. In Galatians 6:10 we have individual action in general benevolence. Now, if someone will only bring forth the passage that places the responsibility of general benevolence on the congregation, as Galatians 6:10 does on the individual, we can resolve all our problems in this connection instantly.