Galatians6
King James Version · Public Domain
1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5For every man shall bear his own burden.
6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Galatians 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortations to meekness, gentleness, and humility. (1–5). To kindness towards all men, especially believers. (6–11). The Galatians guarded against the judaizing teachers. (12–15). A solemn blessing. (16–18).
vv1-5
We are to bear one another's burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This obliges to mutual forbearance and compassion towards each other, agreeably to his example. It becomes us to bear one another's burdens, as fellow-travellers. It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions. How light soever men's sins seem to them when committed, yet they will be found a heavy burden, when they come to reckon with God about them. No man can pay a ransom for his brother; and sin is a burden to the soul. It is a spiritual burden; and the less a man feels it to be such, the more cause has he to suspect himself. Most men are dead in their sins, and therefore have no sight or sense of the spiritual burden of sin. Feeling the weight and burden of our sins, we must seek to be eased thereof by the Saviour, and be warned against every sin.
vv6-11
Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches.
vv12-15
Proud, vain, and carnal hearts, are content with just so much religion as will help to keep up a fair show. But the apostle professes his own faith, hope, and joy; and that his principal glory was in the cross of Christ. By which is here meant, his sufferings and death on the cross, the doctrine of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. By Christ, or by the cross of Christ, the world is crucified to the believer, and he to the world. The more we consider the sufferings of the Redeemer from the world, the less likely shall we be to love the world. The apostle was as little affected by its charms, as a beholder would be by any thing which had been graceful in the face of a crucified person, when he beholds it blackened in the agonies of death. He was no more affected by the objects around him, than one who is expiring would be struck with any of the prospects his dying eyes might view from the cross on which he hung. And as to those who have truly believed in Christ Jesus, all things are counted as utterly worthless compared with him. There is a new creation; old things are passed away, and new views and dispositions are brought in under the regenerating influences of God the Holy Spirit. Believers are brought into a new world, and being created in Christ Jesus unto good works, are formed to a life of holiness. It is a change of mind and heart, whereby we are enabled to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to live to God; and where this inward, practical religion is wanting, outward professions, or names, will never stand in any stead.
Key Words
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos): from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
προλαμβάνω (prolambánō): to take in advance, i.e. (literally) eat before others have an opportunity; (figuratively) to anticipate, surprise
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
παράπτωμα (paráptōma): a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
ὑμεῖς (hymeîs): you (as subjective of verb)
ὁ (ho): the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
πνευματικός (pneumatikós): non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious
καταρτίζω (katartízō): to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust
Cross References
Galatians 6The 'law of Christ' in verse 2 is explained in Galatians 5:14 as fulfilling the whole law through love.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ explicitly defines His 'law' and commandment as loving one another, which includes bearing each other's burdens.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel warning against a man thinking of himself more highly than he ought to think.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Explains 'a new creature' as being in Christ, where old things have passed away.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Details the literal physical suffering and 'marks' Paul bore in his body for the Lord Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Command for the strong (or spiritual) to bear with the infirmities of the weak.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Instructs correcting opponents and restoring the fallen in meekness, echoing the 'spirit of meekness'.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Confirms that every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel duty for those taught in spiritual things to minister back in carnal/material things.
Supported by John Calvin
Uses the identical agricultural metaphor of sowing sparingly or bountifully to illustrate spiritual reaping.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts living after the flesh (resulting in death) with living by the Spirit (resulting in life).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identical verbal exhortation to not be weary in well-doing.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Another example of Paul calling attention to writing a salutation with his own hand.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel statement that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything.
Supported by JFB