Galatians Chapter 6

From The Open Bible Project

6:1 Brothers, 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.

• (1) He condemns persistent and pressing harshness, because brotherly reprehensions ought to be moderated and tempered by the spirit of meekness.
• (a) Through the malice of the flesh and the devil.
• (b) Who are upheld by the power of God’s Spirit.
• (c) Labour to fill up that which is lacking in him.
• (d) This is a metaphor which the Hebrews use, showing by this that all good gifts come from God. (2) He touches the problem, for they are commonly the most severe judges who forget their own weaknesses.

6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

• (3) He shows that this is the end of rebukes, to raise up our brother who is fallen, and not proudly to oppress him. Therefore every one must seek to have praise of his own life by approving himself, and not by rebuking others.
• (e) Christ, in plain and clear words, calls the commandment of charity his commandment.

6:3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

6:4 But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.

6:5 For each man will bear his own burden.

• (4) A reason why men ought to carefully watch themselves not others, because every man will be judged before God according to his own life, and not by comparing himself with other men.

6:6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

• (5) It is fitting that teachers should be helped by their students, as much as they are able.
• (f) Of whatever he has according to his ability.

6:7 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

• (6) He commends liberality towards the poor, and first of all chides those who were not ashamed to pretend this and that, and all because they would not help their neighbours, as though they could deceive God. And afterward he compares alms to a spiritual sowing which will have a most plentiful harvest, so that it will be very profitable: and compares being a covetous miser to sowing carnally, from which nothing can be gathered but such things as fade away, and eventually perish.

6:8 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.

• (g) To the commodities of this present life.

6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.

• (7) Against those who are generous at the beginning, but do not continue, because the harvest seems to be deferred a long time, as though the seed time and the harvest were simultaneous.

6:10 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.

• (8) Those that are of the household of faith, that is, those who are joined with us in the profession of one self same religion, ought to be preferred before all others, yet in such a way that our generosity extends to all.

6:11 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.

• (9) The fourth and last part of the epistle, in which he returns to his principal end and purpose: that is, that the Galatians should not allow themselves to be led out of the way by the false apostles. And he points out what those false apostles are really like, reproving them of ambition, as men who do not act because of any affection and zeal they have for the Law, but only for this purpose, that they may purchase themselves favour amongst their own sort, by the circumcision of the Galatians.

6:12 As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

• (h) He sets a fair show against the truth.
• (i) In the keeping of ceremonies.
• (k) For the preaching of him that was crucified.

6:13 For 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.

• (l) That they have entangled you in Judaism, and yet he dwells on the aspect of circumcision.

6:14 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.

• (10) He does not dwell in comparing himself with them, showing that on the other hand he rejoices in those afflictions which he suffers for Christ’s sake, and as he is despised by the world, so does he in the same way consider the world as wicked. And this is the true circumcision of a true Israelite.
• (m) When Paul uses this word in good sense or way, it signifies to rest a man’s self wholly in a thing, and to content himself in it.

6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

6:16 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel.

• (n) Upon the true Israel, whose praise is from God and not from men; (Romans 2:29).

6:17 From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.

• (11) Continuing still in the same metaphor, he opposes his miseries and the marks of those stripes which he bore for Christ’s sake, against the scar of the outward circumcision, as a true mark of his apostleship.
• (o) Marks which are burnt into a man’s flesh, as they used to do in ancient times, to mark their servants that had run away from them.
• (p) For it very important whose marks we bear: for the cause makes the martyr, and not the punishment.

6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

• (12) Taking his farewell of them, he wishes them grace, and the Spirit against the deceits of the false apostles, who labour to beat those outward things into their brains.
• (q) With your minds and hearts.