Galatians 6:2
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Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
If ye, legalists, must "bear burdens," then instead of legal burdens (Mat 23:4), "bear one another's burdens," literally, "weights." Distinguished by BENGEL from "burden," Gal 6:4 (a different Greek word, "load"): "weights" exceed the strength of those under them; "burden" is proportioned to the strength. so fulfil--or as other old manuscripts read, "so ye will fulfil," Greek, "fill up," "thoroughly fulfil." the law of Christ--namely, "love" (Gal 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; Joh 15:12); Rom 15:3 gives Christ as the example in the particular duty here.
Open source ↗This chapter chiefly consists of two parts. In the former the apostle gives us several plain and practical directions, which more especially tend to instruct Christians in their duty to one another, and to promote the communion of saints in love (Gal 6:1-10). In the latter he revives the main design of the epistle, which was to fortify the Galatians against the arts of their judaizing teachers, and confirm them in the truth and liberty of the gospel, for which purpose he, I. Gives them the true character of these teachers, and shows them from what motives, and with what views, they acted (Gal 6:11-14). And, II. On the other hand he acquaints them with his own temper and behaviour. From both these they might easily see how little reason they had to slight him, and to fall in with them. And then he concludes the epistle with a solemn benediction.
Open source ↗6:2 Carrying each other’s burdens (6:1) fulfills the law of Christ to love one another (5:13-14; see also Lev 19:18; Matt 22:36-40; John 13:34; 15:12; 1 Jn 3:23).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.