GALATIANS -- Chapter VI
(vs 1) Paul has just concluded the exhortation that Christians should
live by the Spirit. Our lives should reflect these
characteristics in all of our dealings, but especially
when we interact with other Christians. How is one
Christian to treat another who may be weaker in the
faith or perhaps committing sin.
"Brethren" -- Those who are in the same family, having been
born of the same Spirit. This is a term of endearment.
We need to be very sure that when one in Christ sins
that we deal with him/her as a brother, desirous of
bringing about a correction.
"overtaken...trespass" -- trespass, breaking the laws of God.
Walking contrary to the Spirit; walking after the flesh.
"ye...spiritual" -- Those who are continuing to walk by the
Spirit. Those guided by the principles just discussed in
the last chapter.
NOTE: Christians have an obligation toward each
other. When the fleshly desires overcomes one and
leads to sin, those who are spiritual minded make
the attempt to bring the guilty back into the
fold, to
"restore" -- to lead them out of their evil path and back to
their rightful place in God's house. Restoration is
brought about by repentance, confession and prayer.
Cf. Acts 8:22-24, Peter's rebuke of Simon.
"gentleness" -- There is no place for harshness, bitterness,
irritating spirit in dealing with weaker brethren. Nor
can the spirit of superiority step in; but, a spirit of
humility, yea, "gentleness."
2 Tim. 2:24-26-- Same admonition.
"thyself" -- There is constantly the problem of having the
wrong disposition toward the wayward brother or sister.
The Pharisee displayed the wrong attitude--Lk. 18:9-14
We must ever realize the danger of sin in our lives.
Paul warns against overconfidence--1 Cor. 10:12.
"tempted" -- We shall never become so strong that we are not
susceptible to sin. Sin is ever a possibility in our
life. Satan is always present-- 1 Pet. 5:8. Thus, we
must ever be on guard, vigilant.
(vs 2) "Bear ye" -- This carries with it the desire to assist, to
help, to encourage. Obviously, sin cannot be condoned,
nor participated in, but those who are stronger in the
faith must assist those who are weaker to become
stronger. It should be remembered here that we are not
talking about "tolerating each other," or "putting up
with their sins," but assisting them to overcome their
sins by helping them to become better.
"fulfill...law" -- The law of Christ is to "love one another."
Mt. 22:39; John 13:34; Gal. 5:14; Jas. 2:8. We must
help our fellow brother as we would expect to be helped
if needed.
NOTE: Christ came to bear our burdens upon the
cross. While we were yet sinners. Rom. 5:10. We need to
follow His example in our dealings with brethren.
(vs 3) "For" -- this ties the next thought with the last.
We need to realize that we too might fall, might commit
sin. When we become self sufficient, or over-
confident in ourselves, we are on dangerous
ground. Within ourselves we are not able to
maintain righteousness; but, only through Christ.
"deceiveth" -- self deception is one of the most dangerous of
all sins, for it exposes us to all kinds of dangers.
(vs 4) "each man" -- Salvation is an individual responsibility.
Although we are commanded to assist each other, our
final destiny will be entirely individual.
"prove..." -- How?? By comparing what we do with the Word of
God, the standard of judgment. Our every deed must be
brought under the scrutiny of God's Teachings. Thus, how
vital it is that we continue to be students of the Book.
We must continue to "walk in the light," on a regular
day by day association.
Paul states that we are to "Try your own selves,"
2 Cor. 13:5. We are to determine if we are right. This
comes by looking into the "Mirror" (Jas 2:23-26) of
God's Word and making correction where needed.
NOTE: We are not to compare ourselves with others, but
with the Word of God. cf. 2 Cor. 10:12-17. We
shall not be judged by what others do or do not
do, but by what we ourself do. What if the whole
world turns against Christ? That will not excuse
me for not doing what is right.
(vs 5) Each one is responsible to Jehovah. (Ezek. 18:20; Mt. 16:27;
Rom. 2:6; etc.) This simply climaxes the whole
paragraph. Truly, we are to assist each other; but no
other can save our soul for us.
There are some things we must share (helping others).
And some things we must bear (individually)
(vs 6) Those taught are to share temporal things with those teaching.
1 Cor. 9:3ff; Phil. 4:15-19; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; Rom. 15:25.
"good things" -- Luke 16:25, good things refer to material
things.
NOTE: Does not exclude spiritual fellowship.
NOTE: Lenski takes the position that this passage
includes only spiritual fellowship. He contends that
support of the teacher is not in this passage.
(vs 7) "Be not deceived" -- Do not think you can sow one thing and
reap something different. This applies to God's
children; but also to everyone else.
"not mocked" -- Cannot slip anything by Jehovah.
"Soweth" -- the one who sows to the flesh shall reap
corruption. We now live in the time of sowing; we are
sowing either the flesh or the spirit.
(vs 8) Paul refers back to "works of the flesh." If one lives in
these deeds, corruption shall follow.
"soweth...flesh" -- spend one's time and resources doing the
desires of the flesh.
"corruption" -- a destitute soul, a lost soul.
"reap" -- the end results of wrong decisions. Though the
application is to eternity, the process of decay and
corruption begins while here in the flesh. Look around
us. The sorrow and disappointments of lives lived wholly
satisfying the flesh. Look at "skid row," "the
alcoholic," the broken lives of men and women. Look at
our prison systems. Lives wasted. Families broken, all
because of SIN. Reaping what is sown.
"soweth...spirit" -- Walking by the Spirit, as the Spirit
leads, producing the fruits of the Spirit (5:22-23).
Cf. Rom. 8:12-13.
"eternal life" -- In the presence of Jehovah, rewarded for
having produced the "fruits of the Spirit."
NOTE: Commentary on N.T. Epistles, David Lipscomb, page
281, made in 1936.
(vs 9) "Not be weary" -- We cannot afford to give up or quit. There
is simply no place to let our guard down, to rest, or
to coast.
NOTE: How easy and how often we become discouraged. There
are so many things that happen that drag us down, cause
us to question or to doubt. BUT, we cannot become
distraught or discouraged. We just cannot afford such
actions. Paul said, "I press on...." (Phil 3:14).
"due season" -- Harvest is coming, be assured.
"faint not" -- same as "be not weary" (2 Cor. 4:1, 16).
Be vigilant, ever be on guard.
(vs 10) "So then" -- Because we shall reap what we sow......
"opportunity" -- use every available opportunity; do not
allow one to slip by unheeded. Opportunities never
return. Others may or may not arise.
"us" -- Paul includes himself.
"good toward all" -- This is why we are here -- to make this
world a better place. Doing good involves "all men,"
regardless of race, nationality, class, etc.
NOTE: Parable of Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Who is my
neighbor? Acts 10:38b.
"especially" -- Paul began this thought (vs 1) by showing that
the child of God has a special responsibility toward
those "of the household of faith."
NOTE: This verse is often used by those who wish to
involve the Church in general benevolence of all people.
Thus, not limited to assisting "poor saints." Beginning
in verse 1, Paul is discussing the responsibility of
individual Christians. Note the pronouns, "thyself,"
"ye," "a man," "he," "himself," "his own," "each man,"
"him," "a man," etc.
FINAL REMARKS AGAINST JUDAIZERS: (11--18).
(Vs 11) Very often Paul would dictate his letters to another to
write, then would authenticate the epistle by writing
his closing remarks. (1 Cor. 16:21; Col. 4:18; 2 Thess.
3:17).
"large letters" -- much speculation on this verse.
(1) Paul had bad eyesight.
(2) Paul had his hand badly hurt, perhaps because of
beatings, or being stoned, etc.
(3) He did not have good pensmanship.
Perhaps, the large letters would serve the same
purpose as bold-face or underlined letters for
emphasis. Be sure to listen carefully.
(vs 12) "As many as" -- Paul again refers to the Judaizing teachers
who seek to bind circumcision upon the Gentiles.
"fair show" -- They are not as concerned with the conversion
of the Gentiles to Christ as much as they were to demand
circumcision of the Gentiles. They were more concerned
about the "flesh" than the "spirit."
"may not be persecuted" -- By compelling the Gentiles to be
circumcised they would lessen the offensiveness of the
cross. The Judaizer was more concerned with Jewish
approval than the salvation of the Gentiles. They thus
were seeking to compromise the Gospel. "Yes, we have
accepted Christ; but we are still keeping the Law."
Circumcision would bring them back into favor with
the Jews, perhaps their families, relatives, etc.
NOTE: How often mankind seeks to soften the teachings of
God's word. The Gospel cannot be compromised. The cross
of Christ continues to be an offense to many. (1 Cor.
1:21-25).
(1) ONE BODY offends many.
(2) Baptism in order to be saved offends many.
(3) The Name, church of Christ, offends many.
(4) Various teachings offend many:
(a) Purity of life.
(b) Marriage and Divorce.
(c) Deity of Christ.
(vs 13) "They" -- The Judaizing teachers.
"keep the law" -- They were not keeping the Law. Thus, they
were hypocrites, demanding circumcision of the Gentiles,
yet not keeping all of the law. Cf. Matt. 23:1-ff; 15:6.
NOTE: How many are more concerned with numbers than with
salvation. Thus the gimmicks and enticements of the
flesh are often used to entice the sinner to "cast their
lot with us."
So, we see churches with "fellowship halls,"
"steeples," "fleshly enticements," etc.
We are not a denomination, but we sure would like to
look and act like one. May we ever guard against such.
(vs 14) "Cross" -- the cross was and still in an offense to the
world. It was to Paul before his conversion. The simple
story of the Christ and His crucifixion continues to be
a stumbling block to the world. Paul did not count his
trophies by the number of converts he compelled to be
circumcised. His concern was revealing the cross of
Jesus to a lost and dying world. It is the cross that
makes access to the Father possible.
"crucified unto me" -- By obeying Christ (accepting the cross)
Paul no longer was interested in the world and the
things of the world. Cf. 2:20. The world no longer had
any enticements to him. Thus, the desires of the world
cannot be our focus in this life.
"I unto the world" -- Paul no longer has any desires to go
back to the flesh. This is a two way street. The world
no longer entices and Paul no longer has its desires.
(vs 15) "circumcision...uncircumcision" -- Being a Jew or a Gentile
has nothing to do with one's relationship to Christ
Jesus (5:6) (1 Cor. 7:19; Col. 3:10-11)
This sounds a "death-toll" to those who would seek to
bind circumcision. Not only does this put an end to
circumcision, but to all the other relics of the Law,
its ordinances, its ceremonies, its worship, etc., when
circumcision went down, so did the Law. Or, when the Law
went down, so did circumcision.
"a new creature"-- Not cir. or uncir., but a new relationship,
a new creature. One who obeys Christ has changed his/her
life. The old has been replaced by the new. The whole
life is now different. Cf. Rom. 6:2-11; Col. 3:1-3.
(vs 16) "this rule" -- That which makes one a new creature. One
cannot do just anything he/she wishes, or in any way he/
she wishes. God has given a standard, a rule-book, and
man must walk (act) by that standard. Cf. Phil 3:12-16.
"peace" -- the results of doing God's Will. A serenity of
being right with God. Walking in the light, 1 John 1:7;
being cleansed by the Blood of Christ. Cf. John 14:27.
"mercy" (grace) unmerited favor from God--Salvation.
"Israel" -- "as many as..." Those in Christ.
No longer the fleshly descendents of Jacob, but the
believers in Christ. Cf. Rom. 2:28-29; Gal. 3:26-29.
(vs 17) "trouble me" -- Paul had been hounded, mistreated, abused,
etc., by these Judaizing teachers. They had attacked his
authority as an Apostle. Yet, he had not weakened or
given up. He stood firm. He had a great concern for
God's people. Cf. 2 Cor 11:18.
"branded" -- He had suffered physical abuse also. Acts 14:19;
2 Cor. 11:22-27. No one could question his sincerity,
his devotion, his concern for the souls of men and women
and the cause of Christ Jesus.
(vs 18) "grace" -- Paul had accused some of rejecting this grace
(1:6). He now expresses his wish that they continue in
the grace of Christ. Thus, receiving His unmerited
favor.
NOTE: This great apostle had clearly shown them what was
necessary for them to continue to receive the grace of
Christ. But, it is man's decision as to whether or not
one wishes to receive God's Grace.
"brethren" -- Paul closes with a tender, affectionate term.
He had been very severe in some of his language. Yet, he
still loved them and wished for them grace and mercy.
"Amen" -- So be it. Agreement with what has been said.
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