Galatians 6
Summary
A believer is free from the Law of Moses and possesses liberty in the Spirit, but he must fulfill the law of Christ, and this can be done in the power of the Spirit.
A Life of Service Toward the One Who Has Sinned
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
You who are spiritual.
The adjective “spiritual” means “living and walking according to the Holy Spirit”
Includes, but is not limited to, the qualities listed in Gal. 5:22–23.
A Life of Service Toward the Christian Who Is Burdened
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
To bear one another’s burdens is the supreme imitation of Jesus, the ultimate burden-bearer (see Rom. 15:1–3).
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” - Romans 15:1-3
Though Paul insists that the Galatians are free from obeying Jewish ceremonial laws, this does not mean they are free from all of God’s moral requirements.
The “law of Christ” in a broad sense means the entire body of ethical teaching that Jesus gave and endorsed
but in a specific sense here it probably refers to the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matt. 22:39; John 13:34), which, if followed fully, will result in obeying the rest of God’s moral law
3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Arrogance and pride can deter people from serving others.
Such behavior harms everyone—both the community of believers and the prideful individual.
4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
·The remedy for self-conceit is found in verse 4—everyone is told to test (dokimazetō; cf. 1 Peter 1:7) his own actions.
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - I Peter 1:7
·This means that rather than comparing himself with others he should step back and take an objective look at himself and his accomplishments.
·Then he can take pride in himself over what God has done in and through his life (cf. Rom. 12:3). The Greek word kauchēma, rendered “pride,” means personal exultation, not sinful pride.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. - Romans 12:3
5 For each will have to bear his own load.
The Christian does in fact test himself by carrying his own load.
This does not contradict verse 2 because the reference there is to heavy, crushing, loads (barē)—more than a man could carry without help.
In this verse a different Greek word (phortion) is used to designate the pack usually carried by a marching soldier. It is the “burden” Jesus assigns to His followers
A Life of Service Toward the Pastor-Teacher
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Paul instructs the church to support its teachers materially—with food, money, and whatever good things are appropriate.
One responsibility of each believer is to shoulder the financial support of the pastor-teachers in the church.
This concept of voluntary giving to provide for the Lord’s servants was revolutionary since Jews were taxed for the support of their priests and Gentiles paid fees, made vows, etc., to sustain their religions.
The warning is clear that as a teacher shares the good things of the Word of God, a believer is to reciprocate by sharing all good things with his instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
7-8 elaborate on the previous exhortation.
First, a solemn warning is sounded that God cannot be mocked.
No man can snub (myktērizetai, lit., “turn up the nose at”) God whose rule, a man reaps what he sows, is immutable.
Each sower decides what his harvest will be.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
If a person sows to please his sinful nature, that is, if he spends his money to indulge the flesh, he will reap a harvest that will fade into oblivion.
On the other hand if he uses his funds to support the Lord’s work, or sows to please the Spirit, and promotes his own spiritual growth, he will reap a harvest that will last forever.
Though a broader application of the principle is legitimate it seems clear that Paul was dealing primarily with the question of financial support of Christian workers in the Galatian churches.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
But Christians may become discouraged with spiritual sowing because the harvest is often long in coming.
In the face of this reality the apostle charged the Galatians not to become weary or give up because the harvest is sure.
Paul included himself as he no doubt contemplated his sometimes frustrating labors on behalf of the Galatian Christians.
The reaping will come at God’s proper time, which may be only in part in this life and in full in the life to come at the judgment seat of Christ.
A Life of Service Toward All Men
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Christians have a measure of responsibility to all people to do good, when the occasions arise.
When Jesus fed the 5,000, both saved and unsaved participated.
This passage then speaks clearly about Christian social responsibility, but it should be noted that it is addressed to individual believers.
The church is not an agency for social work, though individual Christians are charged to minister in this way as they are able and have opportunity (cf. Rom. 12:17–21).
The primary focus should be on serving those in the church, but never to the exclusion of people in the wider world.
Salutation
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Paul is showing that he is the one producing this letter, not some imposter
12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
The legalists knew the offense of the Cross would be softened if they openly proclaimed justification by faith and works (i.e., circumcision)
And if they could claim conversions to that position in Galatia.
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Thus being hypocrites
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Paul is saying that the entire world system in all its glory, but in opposition to God, is dead or destroyed in its power to attract him;
It has no influence or power over Paul, no appeal to him. and I to the world. Paul is (similarly) dead to the desires and attractions of the world, for he serves Christ as his new master.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - II Corinthians 5:7
The redemption of a people who now live for Christ by living for others, effected by the power of the Spirit (3:3, 6, 18) and the death of Christ (5:14–15), is the beginning of the new creation that was destined to come amid this evil age (see Isa. 43:18–19; 65:17–23; 66:22–23).
This new creation is also the beginning of Israel’s final restoration from God’s judgment in the exile (see the context of Isa. 43:1–21; 65:17–25).
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
The false teachers, perhaps followed by some of the Galatian Christians themselves, have obviously been slandering Paul to some degree.
But Paul insists on the respect that is due to his ministry.
He is a genuine minister of Christ and has the scars to prove it—what he calls the marks of Jesus that resulted from his being persecuted
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.