Galatians6
New King James Version
1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5For each one shall bear his own load.
6Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
11See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
12As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17From now on let no one 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