Grace in Focus — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Does Galatians 6:6-10 Teach Salvation By Works?
Host: Bob Wilkin, with guest Sam Marr
Date: October 10, 2025
Main Passage: Galatians 6:6-10
Duration: Approx. 13 minutes

Overview

In this concise but thoughtful episode, Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr address a foundational theological question: Does Galatians 6:6-10 teach that good works are necessary for eternal salvation? Responding to a seminary student's request to unpack a passage that seems to indicate a works-based salvation, they systematically draw out the distinction between justification (how one receives eternal life) and sanctification/reward (how one lives and is rewarded as a believer). The conversation highlights how “sowing and reaping” in Galatians refers not to earning salvation, but to fullness of reward and experience of eternal life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reading Galatians 6:6-10 (01:14–01:46)

• The hosts begin with a close reading of Galatians 6:6-10, which includes:
  • Exhortation to support teachers in the church.
  • The principle: “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
  • Distinction between “sowing to the flesh” and “sowing to the Spirit.”
  • Encouragement not to grow weary in doing good.

Contextual Understanding: Sowing and Reaping (01:46–06:19)

• Sowing & Reaping Principle:

  • Applies both in this life and the life to come—for believers and unbelievers.
  • In Galatians, “sowing to the flesh” isn’t about wild living (e.g., the Prodigal Son), but trying to be justified by law (legalism, influenced by Judaizers).
  • Key Quote:

    “This is a legalist. This is a person influenced by the Judaizers of Galatians 1, 6, 9. Look at Galatians 5:4, that you've fallen from grace if you’re seeking to be justified by law.”
    — Bob Wilkin (03:09)

• Future Possession of Eternal Life?

  • Galatians 6:8 describes reaping “everlasting life” as a future possibility, whereas passages like John 3:16 and 6:47 present it as a present possession.
  • Wilkin’s Insight:
    Galatians references a future, fuller experience or “reward” of eternal life—not acquiring it for the first time.

• Scripture Comparisons:

  • Matthew 19:29: “In the life to come, you’re going to inherit everlasting life.”
  • 1 Timothy 6: Paul telling Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life”—for someone who already possesses it.
  • “Inheriting the kingdom” is equated not with entering, but with “ruling and reigning” (cf. Galatians 5:19-21).

Reaping According to Deeds (06:53–07:16)

• Judgment According to Works:
  • Even at the Great White Throne, unbelievers are judged according to deeds (Revelation 20:12–13), with varying degrees of punishment.
  • For believers, fullness of life and joy in the coming kingdom are also linked to faithfulness.

Perseverance and Assurance (07:16–09:51)

• Perseverance for Reward, Not for Salvation:

  • A “Lordship Salvation” or Arminian reading would see this as needing to persevere to keep or prove salvation, but the text indicates not every believer has this future experience automatically.

  • Notable Exchange:

    “If doing a good work is sowing to the Spirit, do I only have to do one good work to receive one everlasting life?”
    — Sam Marr (07:41)
    “Great question... What it means is if I sow to the Spirit, to the end of my life... then I am going to reap everlasting life. I can’t grow weary, verse 9, because if I lose heart, I’m not going to rule and reign.”
    — Bob Wilkin (08:36)

  • Parallel Parables:
    Bob refers to Matthew 24:45–51: Only enduring, consistently faithful servants are “made rulers”—reinforcing the concept of reward.

• Summary of the Main Argument:

  • “We already have everlasting life, and we know we have everlasting life because of verses like John 3:16.” (09:38)

Galatians Contradicts Works Salvation (09:51–11:24)

• Entire Book’s Message:

  • Galatians is clear: “Doing good does not earn you a place in heaven... It’s belief in Jesus Christ for it.”
  • Supporting Scripture Read Aloud: Galatians 2:15-16 (11:03)
    • Emphasis: Justification by faith in Christ, not by works of the law—reiterated three or four times in just two verses!
    • Notable Quote:

      “It’s not by works of the law, it’s by faith in Christ... Whenever you see a seeming contradiction, you realize you’re looking at it wrong.”
      — Bob Wilkin (11:24)

• Analogy for Clarity:

  • Bob compares it to a football play: If “John Smith” throws and also catches a touchdown, it must be two different people by the same name. Similarly, if “eternal life” is present in one place and future in another, two distinct concepts are at work: possession and fullness/experience.

Closing Thoughts (11:24–End)

• Encouragement:
  • “Ann, great question... Glad you’re in the seminary. Hope you’re enjoying it.” (12:24)
  • “Let’s keep grace in focus.” (12:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:09 | Bob Wilkin | “This is a legalist. This is a person influenced by the Judaizers... fallen from grace if you’re seeking to be justified by law.” | | 07:41 | Sam Marr | “Do I only have to do one good work to receive one everlasting life?” | | 08:36 | Bob Wilkin | “If I sow to the Spirit to the end of my life… then I am going to reap everlasting life.” | | 09:51 | Sam Marr | “This book teaches us that doing good does not earn you a place in heaven... clearly this has to be talking about... a reward to come.” | | 11:24 | Bob Wilkin | “It’s not by works of the law, it’s by faith in Christ... Whenever you see a seeming contradiction, you realize you’re looking at it wrong.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:14] — Reading Galatians 6:6-10
• [02:00–03:30] — Context: Sowing and Reaping, “the flesh” and “the Spirit”
• [04:00–06:19] — Eternal Life: Present vs. Future, Rewards, and Parallels
• [07:16–08:36] — Perseverance: “If I sow to the Spirit to the end...”
• [09:51] — Galatians’ message about good works and eternal life
• [11:03] — Reading Galatians 2:15-16 to reinforce justification by faith
• [12:44] — Wrap-up and encouragement

Conclusion

Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr clarify that Galatians 6:6-10 does not teach salvation by works, but rather the principle that believers’ faithfulness leads to future reward—a fuller experience of eternal life in God’s kingdom, distinct from the unconditional gift of eternal life received by faith in Christ. Their detailed exegesis, scriptural cross-references, and nuanced analogies make this episode a valuable resource for anyone wrestling with the meaning of “sowing and reaping” in the Christian life.