As you have Sown So shall you Reap (Exegetical-Theological Study of Galatians 6:7-10)

'As you have Sown So shall you Reap,' is a book about clarifying the true understanding of the 'sowing-reaping analogy that is presented in the book of Galatians. It also presents itself as a resource book to those who desire to do research in a methodical manner. The process of unravelling of the text of Gal 6:7-10 can be a model for other upcoming researchers to emulate. This work is done under the able guidance of Dr. Lucien Legrand (MEP) whose right academic direction in exploring the text has emerged in this successful venture.

Rev. Dr Walter D'Souza, a Catholic Priest from the Archdiocese of Bombay is on the teaching staff at St Pius X Seminary, Mumbai and visiting professor at Jnana Deepa Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune. He professionalizes in Biblical Theology and Biblical Languages. Along with his Doctorate he also holds Masters in English Literature, Sociology and Philosophy and a Certificate in Performing Arts Theatre as well. He has been an Assistant Parish Priest, Assistant Youth and Vocation Director, and the Rector of the Minor Seminary in the Archdiocese of Bombay.

Death has always intrigued me. Sometimes I fear it, not knowing what would happen after death. However I have realized that, to live in the hope of life, recognizing the resurrection of Christ, is better than to live with the fear of death. The question thus arises as how do I live? how far do my actions actually affect my destiny after life? This led me to the statement "as you sow, so shall you reap," a statement made by Paul in the letter to the Galatians. Though this is a common phrase encountered in everyday life, it had to have some deeper meaning to it when Paul used it to the Galatians. This verse intrigued me, so as to lead me to know whether my actions define my life after death? I had to know what Paul was trying to say, through this phrase, in the Letter to the Galatians. It is well known that Paul insists on justification through faith, but this verse indicates otherwise.

Throughout Biblical history, God has made attempts to reach out to humanity and humanity has always fallen short to reach God's expectation. In and through Jesus Christ, our brother, God has made the final arrangement with humanity - Salvation is made available. However, humanity deters and wavers from God's ways and follows the path that it thinks, suits itself best. But the fact remains that, God is God, he does not fall short of his word or his ways, he reaches out again and again in a variety of ways. In the letter to the Galatians, God reaches out to the Galatians through Paul, his apostle, to bring them back on the right track, to put some sense in them and ignite the fire of the Spirit again within their heart. The pericope of Gal 6:7-10, which forms the end of the message of Paul, exhorts these Galatians, not to waver rather fall back in-line with the message of the Gospel.

The scope of the study is to expound the deeper meaning of Gal 6:7-10. It is an arduous task since it is a phrase which is commonly understood by many in context of the philosophy of reincarnation. Hence the effort here is to examine the maxims used by Paul, to deliver the exhortation that he intended for the Galatian community. An exegetical study of Gal 6:7-10 will bring to fore the true essence of the text in order to clarify any misconceptions that are created through a simplistic reading of the phrase.

This study has three chapters. The first chapter deals with the background of the letter to the Galatians. It addresses issues such as, what is the general agreement among scholars about the author, date, destination and occasion of the letter. It focuses on situating the whole letter within the social, political, philosophical context of that time. It situates the pericope of Gal 6:7-10 within the exhortatio and through textual inquiry, examines the context within which the pericope comes to life.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages