Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "mocked" here is far more intense than we might first assume; it carries the weight of sneering or showing contempt, not just mild deception. It highlights that attempts to present a false spiritual image or to get away with spiritual laziness are a direct insult to God, who sees through it all and upholds an unwavering principle of reaping what you sow.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the Galatians who are being tempted by false teachers to return to the Mosaic Law. He's just discussed how those who boast in the flesh are far from true righteousness, and how to deal with those who are causing division. This verse serves as a stark reminder that their actions have eternal consequences, no matter how they try to present themselves or what they try to get away with.
Ever feel like actions have consequences, but maybe not that directly? Paul’s words here cut through any wishful thinking.
Paul lays down a fundamental principle, almost a universal law of God’s moral universe: "whatever one sows, that will he also reap." This isn't just about actions; it's about the kind of seed you plant.
Seeds of the Flesh vs. Seeds of the Spirit
This isn’t about earning your way to heaven, but about the natural outworking of where your heart and energy are invested.
Think you can pull a fast one on God? Paul uses a powerful word to tell you why that's a dangerous illusion.
The phrase 'God is not mocked' is a serious warning. The original word Paul uses is strong – it means to sneer, to scorn, to treat with contempt by turning up one's nose. It’s not just about being ; it’s about God.
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The Danger of Pretending
Understand the original words
planaō · Greek Verb
To be led astray from truth, truthfulness, or right conduct; in a biblical context, it frequently refers to being misled by false teachings or self-deception regarding one's spiritual condition.
myktērizō · Greek Verb
To treat with contempt, to sneer at, or to insult; in this context, it implies that one cannot treat God's moral order or His judgment as insignificant or avoidable.
This verse powerfully reminds the Galatian believers, who were wrestling with the demands of the Law, that their actions have eternal consequences. Paul uses this agricultural proverb to stress that true faith produces genuine fruit, and attempts to 'mock' God with outward compliance while inwardly rejecting His grace are futile.
c. AD 50-55— this verse
Paul Writes Galatians
Paul addresses the Galatian churches, likely in modern-day Turkey, tackling theological disputes about whether Gentile believers must follow Jewish law. This letter strongly defends salvation by faith in Christ alone.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
A significant meeting in Jerusalem where apostles and elders debated and ultimately decided that Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised or follow the Mosaic Law. This affirmed Paul's mission to the Gentiles.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The foundational events of Christianity. Jesus' death and resurrection are the basis of salvation by grace through faith, a core theme Paul emphasizes.
c. AD 30s
Early Church Growth
Following Pentecost, the early Christian movement rapidly spread, including among Gentiles. This expansion raised crucial questions about the inclusion of non-Jews.
This passage directly echoes the same agricultural metaphor, linking the generosity of giving with the abundance of the harvest one will receive, reinforcing the principle of sowing and reaping.
Proverbs 22:8This proverb directly states the principle of reaping what one sows, particularly in the context of wickedness, highlighting the negative consequences of sowing evil.
Hosea 8:7This verse speaks of sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind, illustrating the severe and destructive consequences of the Israelites' unfaithfulness and attempts to manipulate God.
Matthew 7:16Jesus uses the metaphor of trees being known by their fruit, directly connecting the nature of one's actions (sowing) to the outcome that reveals their true character (reaping).
Romans 8:13This verse contrasts sowing to the flesh with sowing to the Spirit, showing how different 'seeds' of life lead to drastically different outcomes: death versus eternal life.
cambridgeGalatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
7 . Men who, like Ananias and Sapphira, seek to obtain credit for liberality, while keeping back that which is due to the Church and cause of God, may impose on their fellow-men, and may fancy that they can impose upon God. But they are themselves the victims of self-deception. They are moreover treating God with contempt. Yet He is not deceived, nor will He relax in their favour the unive…
wesleyGalatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
6:7 God is not mocked - Although they attempt to mock him, who think to reap otherwise than they sow.
The word "mocked" here is far more intense than we might first assume; it carries the weight of sneering or showing contempt, not just mild deception. It highlights that attempts to present a false spiritual image or to get away with spiritual laziness are a direct insult to God, who sees through it all and upholds an unwavering principle of reaping what you sow.
Paul is addressing the Galatians who are being tempted by false teachers to return to the Mosaic Law. He's just discussed how those who boast in the flesh are far from true righteousness, and how to deal with those who are causing division. This verse serves as a stark reminder that their actions have eternal consequences, no matter how they try to present themselves or what they try to get away with.
Paul is addressing the Galatians who are being tempted by false teachers to return to the Mosaic Law. He's just discussed how those who boast in the flesh are far from true righteousness, and how to deal with those who are causing division. This verse serves as a stark reminder that their actions have eternal consequences, no matter how they try to present themselves or what they try to get away with.
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." — The word "mocked" here is far more intense than we might first assume; it carries the weight of sneering or showing contempt, not just mild deception. It highlights that attempts to present a false s…
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Last reviewed October 2026