Galatians 6 KJV
Doing Good to All
Galatians Chapter 6: Doing Good to All
This chapter explores themes of Friendship. The verb 'restore' in verse 1 (katartizete) evokes the setting of a dislocated bone or mending of fishing nets, framing church discipline as surgical repair rather than punishment.
1rethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one anotherโs burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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Did You Know?
The verb 'restore' in verse 1 (katartizete) evokes the setting of a dislocated bone or mending of fishing nets, framing church discipline as surgical repair rather than punishment.
Paul's claim to bear 'the marks of the Lord Jesus' (v. 17) appropriates the language of slave-branding and military tattooing in the Roman world, redefining physical scars from persecution as covenantal identity markers superior to circumcision.
The unique phrase 'Israel of God' (v. 16) appears nowhere else in the New Testament and signals an early theological move to apply Israel's covenant title to a mixed Jew-Gentile community defined by the cross rather than lineage.
Verse 11's reference to Paul's 'large letters' written 'with mine own hand' may indicate either emphasis for illiterate readers or impaired vision, linking to his earlier remark about the Galatians' willingness to pluck out their eyes for him (Gal 4:15).
The agricultural axiom 'whatsoever a man soweth' (v. 7) draws on ancient Mediterranean harvest imagery where reaping was understood as an automatic, divinely enforced process, underscoring that ethical choices produce inevitable eschatological outcomes without direct divine intervention at each step.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain Brethren โ An expression of kindness to conciliate attention. Translate as Greek, "If a man even be overtaken" (that is, caught in the very act [ALFORD and ELLICOTT]: BEFORE he expโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Galatians 6 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Exhortations continued; To forbearance and humility; Liberality to teachers and in general. Postscript and benediction.
- 1
- Brethren โ An expression of kindness to conciliate attention. Translate as Greek, "If a man even be overtaken" (that is, caught in the very act [ALFORD and ELLICOTT]: BEFORE he expects: unexpectedly). BENGEL explains the "before" in the Greek compound verb, "If a man be overtaken in a fault before ourselves": If another has really been overtaken in a fault the first; for often he who is first to find fault, is the very one who has first transgressed. a fault โ Greek, "a transgression," "a fall"; such as a falling back into legal bondage. Here he gives monition to those who have not so fallen, "the spiritual," to be not "vainglorious" (Ga 5:26), but forbearing to such (Ro 15:1). restore โ The Greek is used of a dislocated limb, reduced to its place. Such is the tenderness with which we should treat a fallen member of the Church in restoring him to a better state. the spirit of meekness โ the meekness which is the gift of the Holy Spirit working in our spirit (Ga 5:22, 25). "Meekness" is that temper of spirit towards God whereby we accept His dealings without disputing; then, towards men, whereby we endure meekly their provocations, and do not withdraw ourselves from the burdens which their sins impose upon us [TRENCH]. considering thyself โ Transition from the plural to the singular. When congregations are addressed collectively, each individual should take home the monition to himself. thou also be tempted โ as is likely to happen to those who reprove others without meekness (compare Mt 7:2-5; 2Ti 2:25; Jas 2:13).
- 2
- If ye, legalists, must "bear burdens," then instead of legal burdens (Mt 23:4), "bear one another's burdens," literally, "weights." Distinguished by BENGEL from "burden," Ga 6:4 (a different Greek word, "load"): "weights" exceed the strength of those under them; "burden" is proportioned to the strength. so fulfil โ or as other old manuscripts read, "so ye will fulfil," Greek, "fill up," "thoroughly fulfil." the law of Christ โ namely, "love" (Ga 5:14). Since ye desire "the law," then fulfil the law of Christ, which is not made up of various minute observances, but whose sole "burden" is "love" (Joh 13:34; 15:12); Ro 15:3 gives Christ as the example in the particular duty here.
Read all 18 notes on Galatians 6 โ