An Apple for the Teacher

An apple sitting on the teacher's desk is a symbol of a student's appreciation for their education.  (Yeah, it's also become the icon for classroom bootlickers who try to suck up for a good grade, but that's not what we're talking about here.)  

Here in Galatians 6:6, Paul is talking about the student/teacher relationship in the local church.  He lets the Galatians know that feedback and fellowship from the congregation is vitally important to the preacher/teacher.

"One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches" (v6).  Let's look first at the student in this relationship.  

Paul describes them as the "one who is taught the word."  The Greek verb here is κατεχεω/katecheo.  It means to instruct, inform, teach and specifically to teach orally.  

This is a compound word meaning to sound (-εχεω/-echeo) down upon (κατε-/kata-).  Clearly this does NOT refer to learning from books or letters.  The apostle is talking about people who learn while sitting under speaking and preaching.

Now let's pan the camera over to the teacher.  Again Paul uses the verb κατεχεω/katecheo.  He gives us a hint at the curriculum by calling it "the word" (Gr. λογος/logos).  

He's talking not just about the spoken word of the sermons and small group Bible studies.  He's talking about Jesus.  

That's the point of John's opening line in his Gospel.  "In the beginning was the Word (Gr. λογος/logos), and the Word (Gr. λογος/logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God" (Jn 1:1).  

That's Who Luke was talking about when he wrote his sequel to Theophilus.  "Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (Gr. λογος/logos) have delivered them to us" (Lk 1:2).  

Some of Paul's final instructions to his boy Tim was to "preach the word (Gr. λογος/logos)" no matter what, no matter when (2Tim 4:2).  

The apostle is talking about teachers who preach about Jesus.  They are to spread the word about the Word.

Now let's examine the student/teacher relationship.  The hearer "must share all good things" with his or her instructor (v6).  Paul uses the Greek verb κοινωνεω/koinoneo.  

Hmm.  Look familiar?  So you probably noticed that its related to κοινωνια/koinonia, the word for fellowship, sharing and relationship.  

On one hand, this certainly could refer to monetarily reimbursing our preachers.  The Bible is clear on that (1Tim 5:12).  But this is much more than a paycheck.  

The apostle seems to be telling us that we should let our preachers and teachers know how God's Word is blessing our lives.  

What an incredible encouragement it is for any instructor to hear from those who are learning.  And such conversations serve to provide insight to the teacher about what's been taught.  Have they communicated the truth about Jesus properly?  

This is κοινωνια/koinonia.  This is a relationship.  This is sharing life together.  

Or as Eugene Peterson paraphrases it: "Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience" (Gal 6:6 The Message).  

This is an apple for the teacher for a job well done.

It's interesting to note that these Greek verbs are all in the present tense.  The teaching is not a one time thing.  It continues.  The sharing is not a one time thing.  It continues.  

So this verse could easily be translated, "One who is being taught the word must continually share all good things with the one who keeps teaching" (v6).

A couple of other thoughts about the relationship between preachers/teachers and the local flock.  We need to remember that God holds those who teach His Word to a higher standard.  "We who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (Jas 3:1).  

Because of the burden and responsibility upon our leaders, we're to be good followers.  We're to be "submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient" (Titus 3:1).  

We're "to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them highly because of their work" (1Th 5:12-13).  

One of the VERY important ways we can do this is to "share all good things with the one who teaches" (v6).

How 'bout an apple for the teacher?

©2012

Jay Jennings