Let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches in all good things.
All Commentaries on Galatians 6:6 Go To Galatians 6
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Here he proceeds to discourse concerning Teachers, to the effect that they ought to be tended with great assiduity by their disciples. Now what is the reason that Christ so commanded? For this law, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:14 is laid down in the New Testament; and likewise in the Old, Numbers 31:47; 35:1-8 many revenues accrued to the Levites from the people; what is the reason, I say, that He so ordained? Was it not for the sake of laying a foundation beforehand of lowliness and love? For inasmuch as the dignity of a teacher oftentimes elates him who possesses it, He, in order to repress his spirit, has imposed on him the necessity of requiring aid at the hands of his disciples. And to these in turn he has given means of cultivating kindly feelings, by training them, through the kindness required of them to their Teacher, in gentleness towards others also. By this means no slight affection is generated on both sides. Were not the cause of this what I have stated it to be, why should He, who fed the dull-minded Jews with manna, have reduced the Apostles to the necessity of asking for aid? Is it not manifest He aimed at the great benefits of humility and love, and that those who were under teaching might not be ashamed of Teachers who were in appearance despicable? To ask for aid bears the semblance of disgrace, but it ceased to be so, when their Teachers with all boldness urged their claim, so that their disciples derived from hence no small benefit, taught hereby to despise all appearances. Wherefore he says, But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things, that is, let him show to him all generosity; this he implies by the words, in all good things. Let the disciple, says he, keep nothing to himself, but have every thing in common, for what he receives is better than what he gives—as much better as heavenly are better than earthly things. This he expresses in another place, If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? 1 Corinthians 9:11 Wherefore he gives the procedure the name of a communication, showing that an interchange takes place. Hereby too love is greatly fostered and confirmed. If the teacher asks merely for competency, he does not by receiving it derogate from his own dignity. For this is praiseworthy, so assiduously to apply to the Word, as to require the aid of others, and to be in manifold poverty, and to be regardless of all the means of subsistence. But if he exceed the due measure, he injures his dignity, not by mere receiving, but by receiving too much. Then, lest the vice of the Teacher should render the disciple more remiss in this matter, and he should frequently pass him by, though poor, on account of his conduct,
