Galatians 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken - Εαν προληφθη· If he be surprised, seized on without warning, suddenly invaded, taken before he is aware: all these meanings the word has in connections similar to this. Strabo, lib. xvi., page 1120, applies it to the rhinoceros, in its contests with the elephant: he suddenly rips up the belly of the elephant, αν μη προληφθη τῃ προβοσκιδι, that he may not be surprised with his trunk. For, should the elephant seize him with his trunk first, all resistance would be afterwards in vain; therefore he endeavors to rip up the elephant's belly with the horn which is on his nose, in order to prevent this. It is used also by Arrian, in Peripl. Mar. Eryth., page 164, and page 168, to signify a vessel being suddenly agitated and whirled by the waves, and then dashed on the rocks. See Kypke. Ye which are spiritual - Ye who still retain the grace of the Gospel, and have wisdom and experience in Divine things; Restore such a one - Καταρτιζετε τον τοιουτον· Bring the man back into his place. It is a metaphor taken from a dislocated limb, brought back by the hand of a skillful and tender surgeon into its place. In the spirit of meekness - Use no severity nor haughty carriage towards him; as the man was suddenly overtaken, he is already deeply humbled and distressed, and needs much encouragement and lenient usage. There is a great difference between a man who being suddenly assailed falls into sin, and the man who transgressed in consequence of having Walked in the counsel of the Ungodly, or Stood in the way of Sinners. Considering thyself - Σκοπων σεαυτον· Looking to thyself; as he fell through a moment of unwatchfulness, look about, that thou be not surprised; As he fell, so mayest thou: thou art now warned at his expense; therefore keep a good look ou…
Open source ↗EXHORTATIONS CONTINUED; TO FORBEARANCE AND HUMILITY; LIBERALITY TO TEACHERS AND IN GENERAL. POSTSCRIPT AND BENEDICTION. (Gal. 6:1-18) Brethren--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--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" (Gal 5:26), but forbearing to such (Rom 15:1). restore--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--the meekness which is the gift of the Holy Spirit working in our spirit (Gal 5:22, Gal 5:25). "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--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--as is likely to happen to those who reprove others without meekness (compare Mat 7:2-5; Ti2 2:25; Jam 2:13).
Open source ↗Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,.... Or "be taken before" in one; not, as Grotius thinks, before this epistle should come to them, which is a very jejune and empty sense of the words; nor before the conversion of the man, because sins before conversion do not come under the notice and cognizance of a church, or are liable to its reproofs and censures; but before the man is aware, through negligence and imprudence, for want of caution and circumspection, and so is carried away, either through the treachery of his own heart, and the power of corruption; or through the temptations of Satan, who goes about, and comes on the back of them, lays snares for them, and attacks them unawares, and takes all advantages of them; or by the ill examples of others, whereby they are drawn aside, and into sin. The apostle has no particular respect by a "fault" to schisms in the church, or to any errors or heresies in doctrine, though the restoration of such in meekness should be endeavoured; but rather to immorality in life and conversation, and indeed to any of the works of the flesh mentioned in the preceding chapter; and especially he means any "fall" of professors, as the word used signifies, into sin, through inadvertency and want of care and watchfulness, in distinction from a wilful, obstinate, and continued course of sinning; and intends not any man in the world, for those that are without, churches and members of churches have nothing to do with in a church way; but any man that is a brother, a church member, that stands in such a relation to them, when he falls into sin, is to be taken notice of by them. And so the Syriac version reads, "any one of you"; as does one of Stephens's copies. Ye that are spiritual; meaning not such who had greater spiritual gifts than othe…
Open source ↗The apostle having, in the foregoing chapter, exhorted Christians by love to serve one another (Gal 6:13), and also cautioned us (Gal 6:16) against a temper which, if indulged, would hinder us from showing the mutual love and serviceableness which he had recommended, in the beginning of this chapter he proceeds to give some further directions, which, if duly observed, would both promote the one and prevent the other of these, and render our behaviour both more agreeable to our Christian profession and more useful and comfortable to one another: particularly, I. We are here taught to deal tenderly with those who are overtaken in a fault, Gal 6:1. He puts a common case: If a man be overtaken in a fault, that is, be brought to sin by the surprise of temptation. It is one thing to overtake a fault by contrivance and deliberation, and a full resolution in sin, and another thing to be overtaken in a fault. The latter is the case here supposed, and herein the apostle shows that great tenderness should be used. Those who are spiritual, by whom is meant, not only the ministers (as if none but they were to be called spiritual persons), but other Christians too, especially those of the higher form in Christianity; these must restore such a one with the spirit of meekness. Here observe, 1. The duty we are directed to - to restore such; we should labour, by faithful reproofs, and pertinent and seasonable councils, to bring them to repentance. The original word, katartizete, signifies to set in joint, as a dislocated bone; accordingly we should endeavour to set them in joint again, to bring them to themselves, by convincing them of their sin and error, persuading them to return to their duty, comforting them in a sense of pardoning mercy thereupon, and having thus recovered them, con…
Open source ↗6:1-10 Living by the Spirit (5:13–6:10) results in doing good (6:1-5) and reaping rewards from one’s work (6:6-10). 6:1-5 Paul outlines how to treat other Christians with love when they sin. 6:1 Perhaps some of the Galatians were proud of their obedience to the law or their spiritual freedom and willpower. But those who are truly godly are not proud of their accomplishments but humbly help others. • be careful: We are all susceptible to the same temptation to sin (Rom 3:9-20).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being προλαμβάνω (prolambánō, G4301) — to take in advance, i.e. (literally) eat before others have an opportunity;… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object παράπτωμα (paráptōma, G3900) — a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) πνευματικός (pneumatikós, G4152) — non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit… καταρτίζω (katartízō, G2675) — to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust τοιοῦτος (toioûtos, G5108) — truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,…
Open source ↗βαστάζω (bastázō, G941) — to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.) ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another βάρος (báros, G922) — compare G899 (βάθος)); weight; in the New Testament only, figuratively, a load,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ἀναπληρόω (anaplēróō, G378) — to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by… νόμος (nómos, G3551) — law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any δοκέω (dokéō, G1380) — compare the base of G1166 (δεικνύω)) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to… εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) φρεναπατάω (phrenapatáō, G5422) — to be a mind-misleader, i.e. delude ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. δοκιμάζω (dokimázō, G1381) — to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… καύχημα (kaúchēma, G2745) — a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… μόνος (mónos, G3441) — remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every βαστάζω (bastázō, G941) — to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.) ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate φορτίον (phortíon, G5413) — an invoice (as part of freight), i.e. (figuratively) a task or service
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. κατηχέω (katēchéō, G2727) — to sound down into the ears, i.e. (by implication) to indoctrinate ("catechize") or… λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… κοινωνέω (koinōnéō, G2841) — to share with others (objectively or subjectively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun)
Open source ↗πλανάω (planáō, G4105) — to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very μυκτηρίζω (myktērízō, G3456) — to make mouths at, i.e. ridicule οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being σπείρω (speírō, G4687) — to scatter, i.e. sow (literally or figuratively) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing θερίζω (therízō, G2325) — to harvest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because σπείρω (speírō, G4687) — to scatter, i.e. sow (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… θερίζω (therízō, G2325) — to harvest ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) φθορά (phthorá, G5356) — decay, i.e. ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively) αἰώνιος (aiṓnios, G166) — perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐκκακέω (ekkakéō, G1573) — to be (bad or) weak, i.e. (by implication) to fail (in heart) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… καλός (kalós, G2570) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time θερίζω (therízō, G2325) — to harvest ἐκλύω (eklýō, G1590) — to relax (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἄρα (ára, G686) — a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time ἐργάζομαι (ergázomai, G2038) — to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with,… ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μάλιστα (málista, G3122) — (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly οἰκεῖος (oikeîos, G3609) — domestic, i.e. (as noun), a relative, adherent πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… πηλίκος (pēlíkos, G4080) — how much (as an indefinite), i.e. in size or (figuratively) dignity γράμμα (grámma, G1121) — a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἐμός (emós, G1699) — my χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or…
Open source ↗ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… εὐπροσωπέω (euprosōpéō, G2146) — to be of good countenance, i.e. (figuratively) to make a display ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἀναγκάζω (anankázō, G315) — to necessitate ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) περιτέμνω (peritémnō, G4059) — to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise μόνον (mónon, G3440) — merely ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not διώκω (diṓkō, G1377) — compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or… σταυρός (staurós, G4716) — a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… περιτέμνω (peritémnō, G4059) — to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise φυλάσσω (phylássō, G5442) — to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve,… νόμος (nómos, G3551) — law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμέτερος (hyméteros, G5212) — yours, i.e. pertaining to you σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐμοί (emoí, G1698) — to me καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σταυρός (staurós, G4716) — a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.