Galatians 6
CHAPTER 6
Keep on keeping on
Brothers, even if a man is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself, lest you also be tempted. 2 Carry one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each man test his own work, and then shall he have his boasting in regard to himself alone, and not of his neighbour. 5 For each man shall carry his own burden.
6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
7 Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that sows to his own flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not be weary in doing well. For in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those that are in the family of the faith.
A final appeal
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 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. 13 For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves fully keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised so they can boast about you. 14 But far be it for 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. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. What counts is being a new creation. 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 further trouble. For I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 Brothers, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Commentary
6:1 Lest you also- We should always remember our own spiritual weakness whenever we have to deal with the failures of others.
6:7 The reaping is at the harvest, when Christ returns. Then we will receive a reward for how we have lived today. We don’t receive “eternal life” (v. 8) when we die, but at the harvest- when Christ returns. Until then we are unconscious in the grave.
6:8 The punishment for the wicked at the last day will be “corruption” in that they will be resurrected mortal, but their bodies won’t be changed; they will exist for a while and then die “the second death” and be eternally unconscious (Rev. 2:11).
6:9 The more we believe in the coming of judgment at Christ’s return, the more we will be inspired in this life.
6:11 What large letters- Perhaps Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7) was poor eyesight- hence Gal. 4:15.
6:12 Judaism was a registered religion in the Roman world. If the new Christians joined or rejoined the synagogues, they would be spared persecution. This is why Gentile Christians in Galatia were being tempted to join Judaism.
6:14 Are we proud of the cross, as Paul was?
6:17 The marks- An allusion to how slaves were branded with the sign of their owners. It should be visible to others that we are slaves of Jesus.
