Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse calls for a fellowship of mutual participation in "all good things," not just financial support for teachers. This means disciples should actively join their teachers in pursuing and practicing everything that is morally good and leads to salvation. The emphasis isn't just on material giving, but on shared spiritual and moral endeavor.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Apostle Paul, after instructing the Galatians on personal responsibility and bearing one another's burdens, transitions to the vital practice of mutual support within the community. He emphasizes that just as each person carries their own load, there should also be a shared effort, particularly between those who teach and those who are taught the gospel. This passage addresses a potential strain in the Galatian church, likely caused by divisive teachers, highlighting the importance of maintaining fellowship and support for those imparting spiritual truth.
When we hear about sharing 'good things' with teachers, our minds often jump to money. But this verse calls us to something much richer.
The word 'communicate' here is about sharing a common life and purpose. While it certainly includes practical support for those who teach God's Word, its deepest meaning goes beyond just finances.
A Shared Life
The Greek word used (koinōneō) means to have fellowship, to share in something together. It's about making common cause. When Jesus taught, he wasn't just giving information; he was inviting people into a new way of life. Those who were taught were meant to join their teacher in that life, sharing in its joys, its challenges, and its ultimate purpose.
Moral and Spiritual Partnership
This 'sharing in all good things' points to a mutual participation in what is morally good and leads to salvation. It’s about disciples and teachers walking together in faith, encouraging each other in righteous living, and pursuing God’s kingdom. When the Galatian church's unity was fractured, this kind of fellowship was broken, impacting their shared spiritual journey.
Why does Paul bring up the relationship between teacher and learner right here? It wasn't an accident; the Galatian church was dealing with serious relational issues.
This verse isn't just a general rule; it addresses a specific problem Paul saw among the Galatians. False teachers had caused division and confusion, distorting the gospel and damaging relationships within the church.
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Undermining Spiritual Leaders
Some of the 'teachers' in Galatia were trying to lead people astray, stirring up division and demanding adherence to the Law. This created a climate of suspicion and disloyalty, even towards true apostles like Paul. The 'vainglory' and 'provocation' mentioned earlier in the chapter likely fueled this disrespect, where people became conceited and looked down on others, including their spiritual guides.
Restoring Unity Through Responsibility
Paul uses this verse to call for a restoration of proper fellowship. He's saying that when the bond between those who teach and those who are taught is strong, it reflects a healthy, unified body of Christ. This mutual sharing and support is a vital part of bearing one another's burdens and building up the church, especially when that fellowship has been threatened.
Understand the original words
katēcheō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, this refers to the systematic instruction or oral communication of the gospel and apostolic doctrine, often associated with discipleship and the building up of the church.
logos · Greek Noun
The message of God, whether written or spoken, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ, which possesses divine authority and the power to transform lives.
This verse, calling for generous support of teachers, arises in the context of the Galatian church being deeply divided by false teachers who challenged Paul's authority and the core gospel message. Paul is reminding them of the importance of spiritual fellowship and mutual support, even as they grapple with deep theological error.
c. AD 48-49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal meeting where apostles and elders decided that Gentile believers did not need to follow all Mosaic laws, including circumcision, to be part of the early church. This decision laid groundwork for Gentile inclusion.
c. AD 49-50
Paul's Ministry in Galatia
The Apostle Paul established churches in the region of Galatia, ministering the gospel and teaching the new believers. This was a period of initial growth and foundation for the Galatian churches.
c. AD 50-51
Trouble in the Galatian Churches
False teachers, likely Judaizers, began to undermine Paul's apostolic authority and the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. They insisted on Jewish customs and circumcision for believers.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul Writes Galatians
Paul penned this letter to the Galatian churches from Ephesus, addressing the severe doctrinal and practical issues that had arisen. He passionately defended the gospel of grace and challenged their wavering faith.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment and Later Ministry
Paul was imprisoned in Rome, during which time he continued to write letters, including those that further expounded on the theological themes found in Galatians. His later ministry also saw him addressing similar issues in other churches.
This passage directly supports the idea of financial support for those who minister the word, drawing a parallel to the principle of sharing material goods when receiving spiritual ones.
1 Timothy 5:17-18This text explicitly states that elders who rule and teach well should be considered worthy of double honor, particularly those devoted to preaching and teaching, reinforcing the responsibility to support them.
2 Corinthians 11:7-9Paul himself appeals to the Corinthians for support, highlighting that by not being a financial burden, he was able to serve them without being indebted to others, which echoes the principle in Galatians.
Luke 10:7Jesus instructs His disciples to remain in one house and eat what is set before them, stating that the laborer deserves his wages, a foundational principle for supporting those who share the Gospel.
vincentGalatians 6:6: "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."
But, although each man is thus individualized as regards his burdens, Christian fellowship in all morally good things is to be maintained between the teacher and the taught. The passage is often explained as an injunction to provide for the temporal wants of Christian teachers. But this is entirely foreign to the course of thought, and isolates the verse from the context on both sides of i…
barnesGalatians 6:6: "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."
Let him that is taught in the word - In the word of God; that is, the gospel. Communicate unto him - Let him share with him who teaches; let there be a common participation of all good things. In all good things - In everything that is needful for their comfortable subsistence. On the duty here enjoined see the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:11-13.
The verse calls for a fellowship of mutual participation in "all good things," not just financial support for teachers. This means disciples should actively join their teachers in pursuing and practicing everything that is morally good and leads to salvation. The emphasis isn't just on material giving, but on shared spiritual and moral endeavor.
The Apostle Paul, after instructing the Galatians on personal responsibility and bearing one another's burdens, transitions to the vital practice of mutual support within the community. He emphasizes that just as each person carries their own load, there should also be a shared effort, particularly between those who teach and those who are taught the gospel. This passage addresses a potential strain in the Galatian church, likely caused by divisive teachers, highlighting the importance of maintaining fellowship and support for those imparting spiritual truth.
The Apostle Paul, after instructing the Galatians on personal responsibility and bearing one another's burdens, transitions to the vital practice of mutual support within the community. He emphasizes that just as each person carries their own load, there should also be a shared effort, particularly between those who teach and those who are taught the gospel. This passage addresses a potential strain in the Galatian church, likely caused by divisive teachers, highlighting the importance of maintaining fellowship and support for those imparting spiritual truth.
"Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." — The verse calls for a fellowship of mutual participation in "all good things," not just financial support for teachers. This means disciples should actively join their teachers in pursuing and prac…
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Last reviewed October 2026