Does Lord Krishna approve propagation of the Gita worldwide?

Question

In the Gita, Sri Krishna orders Arjuna :

18.67 This (Gita) you should NEVER teach to one who is devoid of austerities, NOR to one who is not a devotee. Also, NEITHER to one who does not render service to Me, NOR to one who has any dislike for Me.

In the very next sloka, He says

18.68 He who, entertaining supreme devotion to Me, will speak of this highest secret, to My devotees will without doubt reach Me alone.

In these days, Gita is being propagated with great enthusiasm across the globe.

Does Sri Krishna allow this in any scripture?

Answer 1

Trying to explain the knowledge of the B.Gita among the listed  people has  been restricted by Krishna, probably to save the time and endeavor of His devotees.

Nevertheless, in the following two verses 18.70 & 18.71 (with authoritative commentaries), He is also blessing His non-devotees with the freedom to study and learn the scripture. 

अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयो:|
ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्ट: स्यामिति मे मति:||७०||

And I declare that the one who studies this divine discourse of ours worships Me by his/her intelligence.(18.70)

श्रद्धावाननसूय: च श्रृणुयादपि योनरः*|

सोऽपिमुक्तःशुभाँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुयात्पुण्यकर्मणाम्||७१||

And anyone who listens with faith and without envy becomes free from sinful reactions and attains to the auspicious realm where the pious dwell.(18.71)

Here "who" ("य") doesn't mean only a devotee but anyone thirsty of divine knowledge can study and participate in the supreme jnana-yajna (worshiping Him by knowing Him).

The propagation of knowledge of the B.Gita is as per Krishna's declared wish. So that each and all can study Gita and understand the knowledge. All those, who have been confused reading different types of literature about the scripture.

N.B. The Sanskrit phrase "य" from root "यत्" indicates "whoever", in a gender neutral sense. (Not to be confused with sanskrit neuter gender word, however, the singular masculine gender phrase is "यः" and feminine gender will be "या" in the same case form of the Sanskrit "shabda-roop", "ek-vachan" and "prathama-vibhakti"). 

*योनरः = यः + नरः("sandhi-vichchhed").

The invariable (connective) term "च" refers to "and", in the appending notion.

Some references available online: 

1)https://www.quora.com/What%E2%80%99s-the-best-way-to-read-the-Bhagavad-Gita-for-comprehension

2)https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/18/verse/70

3)http://www.yugalsarkar.com/bhagwad-gita-chapter-18-shlok-70-sanskrit-translation

4)https://www.narayanashramatapovanam.org/bg-ebook/2339-bhagavad-gita-chap-18-verse-70

5)https://www.bhagavad-gita.us/bhagavad-gita-18-71/

6)https://www.onelittleangel.com/sacred/books/bhagavad-gita.asp?mc=18&p=1&chap=1

7)https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?htrskd=1&httyn=1&htshg=1&scsh=1&choose=1&&language=dv&field_chapter_value=18&field_nsutra_value=71

8)https://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/18/70

9)https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita

10)https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit

Answer 2

The statement of Sri Krishna in the sloka quoted, is very subtle in nature.

इदं ते नातपस्काय नाभक्ताय कदाचन।

न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति।।18.67।।

This [knowledge] should never be imparted to one who does not observe austerities; to him who has no devotion; to him who has no desire to listen; and to him who is indignant towards Me.

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The words/phrases austerities, devotion, no desire to listen, indignant used in the meaning of the sloka in question, can be interpreted in a different manner also.

These can be applied not only to devotees of Sri Krishna , but to devotees of other gods, jnanis and duty minded persons as well.

Sri Krishna himself taught Arjuna about Karma Yoga (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। - BG 2.47)

A devotee/jnani/karma yogi or an atheist, whoever follow austerities for self discipline, will be devoted to their work also. In fact karma yogis/atheists have more practical bent of mind.

So this sloka refers to all the persons, who have commitment towards his work, have a self discipline. Further, it is easier to make a person with commitment towards work, understand subtle spiritual aspects.

However, we can never teach spiritual concepts to persons, who feign devotion towards the God, but have no commitment in achieving his goal.

By the way, as @user30612 rightly pointed out in his/her answer, the sloka in 18.70 allows studying of Gita by anyone.

अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः।

ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः।।18.70।।

And he who will study this sacred conversation between us two, which is conducive to virtue, by him I shall be adored through the Sacrifice in the form of Knowledge. This is My judgement.

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The only pre-requisite for spiritual matters is commitment (devotion) towards one's work, steadfastness in the work.