Texts in Conversation
The Dead Sea Scroll Community Rule speaks of two ways of living, one shaped by truth that leads to life and joy and another shaped by darkness. In Galatians, Paul uses similar language by saying the spirit brings life while selfish living brings ruin.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
1QS 4:6
Community Rule
Dead Sea Scrolls, Sectarian and Community Texts
5 intent with a steadfast inclination, and abundant kindness toward all the sons of truth, and a glorious purity that detests all the idols of impurity, and walking modestly 6 with prudence in all things, and concealing the truth of the mysteries of knowledge. These are the counsels of the spirit for the sons of truth in the world. And the visitation of all who walk in it is healing 7 and abundant peace in length of days, and fruitful seed with all everlasting blessings, and eternal joy in life without end, and a crown of glory 8 with a robe of majesty in eternal light.
Date: 160–100 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Galatians 6:8
New Testament
4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each one will carry his own load. 6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
Date: 54–55 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Despite Ziesler's confident assertion that by the phrase 'eternal life' Paul means life with God in heaven, if one looks closely at each of these Pauline texts it seems far more likely that he means the life which will be dispensed to believers when the Lord returns, when judgment has been rendered, when resurrection has happened and death has been overcome ... The context shows that Paul has a historical conclusion to matters in mind, not an other-worldly one ... in the Jewish discussion of eternal life, which arises only after most of the canonical Old Testament books were written (compare Dan. 12.2; 2 Macc. 7.9; Psalms of Solomon 3.12; 1QS 4; Philo, Fuga. 78; 4 Macc. 15.3), 'the language emerged in Jewish theology in connection with the hope of resurrection not the hope of life everlasting in heaven ..."
Ben Witherington, Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1998), 432–433.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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