Galatians 6
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Four Contrasts: Galatians 5 & 6
1) Liberty, Not Bondage Gal 5:1-15
2) The Spirit, Not the Flesh Gal 5:16-26
3) Others, Not Self Gal 6:1-10
4) God’s Glory, Not Man’s Approval Gal 6:11-18
Chapter 6
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted – The word for “Sin” is paraptōma and it means “a side slip (lapse or deviation), that is, (unintentional) error.” The word “retore” Katartizō literally means to mend or repair and was used of setting a broken bone or putting a dislocated limb back in place. It is applied in Mark 1:19 to the apostles who were ‘mending’ their nets.
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ – Cf. James 5:16; Luke 11:46
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What God Wants Us To Do For Others |
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| Love one another | John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11-12; 2 John 5 |
| Encourage one another | Ephesians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25 |
| Be at peace with one another | Mark 9:50; Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8 |
| Humbly serve and submit to one another | John 13:14; Galatians 5:13 Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3 1 Peter 4:9-10; 5:5 |
| Show kindness and honor to one another | Romans 12:10; 15:7; 1 Corinthians 11:33; 12:25; Ephesians 4:2, 32 Colossians 3:13; James 4:11; 5:9 |
| Instruct one another | Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16 |
| Forgive one another | Colossians 3:13 |
| Stop judging one another | Romans 14:13 |
| Pray for one another | James 5:16 |
4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load – Cf. Matt 7:3-5; 2Cor 10:12.
6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor – Those who feed and bless you spiritually should be supported by you financially and generously providing for the their needs. This is a consistent teaching throughout the scriptures (1 Corinthians 9:11,14; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; Philippians 4:10-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows – “mocked” muktērizō literally means “turn up the nose at.”
To “sow to the flesh” is to pander to it, to cosset, cuddle and stroke it, instead of crucifying it. —John Stott
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life -
What does it mean To Sow to the Spirit?
- To walk by the Spirit (5:16),
- To be led by the Spirit (5:18)
- To be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18)
- To abide in Christ and in His Word and having His words abide in us (John 8:31; 15:7)
- Walking in Christ (Col. 2:6)
- Setting one’s “mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (3:2)
- Giving one’s body as “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God”
- not being “conformed to this world, but [being] transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2).
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers – The words proper “time” in verse 9 and opportunity in verse 10 is the same Greek word (kairos). Good is from agathos and has a definite article in front of it in the Greek.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! – Paul’s’ custom was to dictate his letters to a secretary and then he would finish off the letter himself to authenticate it and give it a personal touch. Paul did this in other letters as well (see 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17).
12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ – “To advocate circumcision was to align the new movement with Judaism, a religion that had official Roman sanction, and therefore one that avoided persecution. The preachers Paul was opposing may have included the cross in their proclamation, but by adding the necessity of circumcision they avoided persecution.” (Leon Morris, Galatians)
16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God - “The Israel of God” has three possibilities: 1) “The Israel of God” refers to the Christian church made up of Jewish and Gentile believers. 2) “The Israel of God” applies exclusively to Jewish Christians who, in contrast with the Judaizers, followed salvation by grace through faith alone. The intent of Paul’s phrase, then, is read: “Grace and mercy on the Gentile Christians (and also) on the Jewish Christians. 3) “The Israel of God” represents the Jewish people as a whole, as in the “all Israel” of Romans 11:26-27.
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