Galatians 6
- Who wrote it
- Paul
- Who it was for
- The churches of Galatia
- What was happening
- Bear one another's burdens, sow to the Spirit, and boast only in the cross
What’s happening
"Brothers, even if a man is caught in some wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted." Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Let each person test his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself alone and not in someone else; "for each one will bear his own load." The one who is taught the word should share all good things with the teacher. "Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." Let us not be weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we don't give up. "So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith." Paul takes the pen in his own hand: "See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand." Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh try to compel the Galatians to be circumcised, only so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ, for even those who are circumcised don't keep the law themselves, but want to boast in the Galatians' flesh. "But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God." From now on, let no one cause Paul trouble, for he bears on his body the marks of Jesus. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen."
Why the setting matters
The chapter turns to everyday practice. "Restore" translates a word used for mending a net or setting a bone, and the "law of Christ" (6:2) is probably Paul's phrase for the way of Christ's self-giving love, to be contrasted with the law of Moses as a way of getting right with God. There is a subtle difference in Greek between the "burdens" (6:2, a heavy weight to be shared) and the "load" (6:5, a person's own pack), and Paul asks for both: share the heavy things and take responsibility for your own. When Paul takes the pen himself (6:11), the "large letters" may reflect poor eyesight, or may be emphasis for the main point, as a modern writer would use capitals. "Marks" (stigmata) are scars from beatings, like the brand slaves bore, and show that Paul belongs to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-25). "The Israel of God" is debated: some read it as the church as a whole (Jewish and Gentile believers), others as Jewish believers specifically, or as a reference to faithful Israel; scholars still discuss it. The letter ends without the usual greetings to named individuals, which fits its urgency.
Who’s in this chapter
Paul
Writes the closing in his own hand and bears the marks of Jesus.
The believers in Galatia
Told to restore, to share burdens, and not to grow weary.
The agitators
Want to boast in the Galatians' flesh and avoid persecution.
Jesus
The cross is Paul's only boast.
Talk it through
- Paul says to restore the one who is caught in wrongdoing in a spirit of gentleness. What would it look like to do that well?
- He tells them both to carry one another's burdens and that each will carry his own load. How do the two fit together?
- "Let us not grow weary in doing good." Why might weariness be the danger in a long season of faithfulness?
- Paul says he will only boast in the cross. What would that change about how we measure success?
Read Galatians 6
World English Bible
1Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. 5For each man will bear his own burden.
6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 7Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
11See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. 12As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised; just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 14But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
17From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Text: World English Bible, Public domain. About our sources