The theme of Galatians 6:1-5 is kindness. This is a good introduction to chapter 6 because it addresses the two most important issues in the chapter - what it means to live a "spiritual" life, and the destructive effects of our natural tendency to compare ourselves to others.
The incident in Corinth as recording in II Corinthians 2:6-8 may still be in Paul's mind. They had overzealously disciplined a member of their community. Their readiness to forgive would be a test of their spirituality. Chrysostom calls it a spiritual gift to correct another part of the body of Christ with gentleness.
The counsel of Paul shows wisdom. Lest Spirit-led persons undertake the task too cavalierly or condescendingly, Paul warns, “Take care that you yourselves are not tempted” (v. 1c). St. Augustine says, “There is no sin which one person has committed, that another person may not commit it also.” Luther adds, “We stand in slippery places.” All of us stand in need of watchfulness.
Presumably, his concern is two fold: (1) that they not become ensnared by the same desire; and (2) that they not deal harshly with the transgressor.
Galatians 6:1, then, presents the case scenario of sin occurring within the community and suggests how the community should handle it. This verse is an example that quite early, the church had to deal with sins within the Christian community, and Paul here counsels gentleness in dealing with it. In this case, according to Frank Matera
, the Greek verb that the NRSV translates "detected" actually means, "a believer is unexpectedly caught in the midst of unbecoming conduct." He goes on to argue that the word "and," which the NRSV translates "if," should be translated "even if," implying that the case being presented is of the most unambiguous type. Even where there is no doubt of a person having sinned, then, Paul would argue, the offending person should be corrected in a spirit of gentleness by others who, like him or her, presumably, are seeking to be "spiritual" persons.
, the Greek verb that the NRSV translates "detected" actually means, "a believer is unexpectedly caught in the midst of unbecoming conduct." He goes on to argue that the word "and," which the NRSV translates "if," should be translated "even if," implying that the case being presented is of the most unambiguous type. Even where there is no doubt of a person having sinned, then, Paul would argue, the offending person should be corrected in a spirit of gentleness by others who, like him or her, presumably, are seeking to be "spiritual" persons.A "spiritual" person should "restore" an offending member of the community, even if that person were caught in the act, and even that restoration should be done in a spirit of "gentleness," which is, in and of itself, one of the spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:23. F. F. Bruce
reminds us that it is easy for certain types of religious persons to sit in judgment of fellow Christians. Instead of yielding to this temptation, Paul urges the Galatians to "bear one another's burdens." Chrysostom notes that every individual has failings, so Paul exhorts the Galatians not to scrutinize severely the failings of others, but rather to bear them. Hans Dieter Betz notes that this phrase occurs elsewhere in Greek literature, dealing with the benefits and demands of friendship. He writes, "Applied to 6:1, the maxim [bear one another's burdens] means that 'failure' by Christians should be regarded as part of the 'burden of life' and should be shared and borne by the Christian community." Calvin is also wise on this point when he says that many people “seize on the faults” of brothers and sisters
reminds us that it is easy for certain types of religious persons to sit in judgment of fellow Christians. Instead of yielding to this temptation, Paul urges the Galatians to "bear one another's burdens." Chrysostom notes that every individual has failings, so Paul exhorts the Galatians not to scrutinize severely the failings of others, but rather to bear them. Hans Dieter Betz notes that this phrase occurs elsewhere in Greek literature, dealing with the benefits and demands of friendship. He writes, "Applied to 6:1, the maxim [bear one another's burdens] means that 'failure' by Christians should be regarded as part of the 'burden of life' and should be shared and borne by the Christian community." Calvin is also wise on this point when he says that many people “seize on the faults” of brothers and sisters as an occasion of insulting them, and of using reproachful and cruel language. Were the pleasure they take in upbraiding equaled by their desire to produce amendment, they would act in a different manner. Reproof … must be administered to offenders. While we must not shrink from a faithful testimony against sin, neither must we omit to mix oil with the vinegar.
Paul is quite consistent with the philosophical tradition as it discussed friendship. In particular, Xenophon, Memorabilia, II.7.1-12 and Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, IX.11.
In verse 2, he could be referring to the example of Christ. Galatians is also a summons to obey the law of Christ. His life becomes the hermeneutical key that unlocks the abiding significance of the Law. Luther notes that Christ gave us no other law than this law of mutual love, that we love one another. To love means to bear another’s burdens.
“Christians must have strong shoulders to bear the burdens of their fellow Christians. Faithful pastors recognize many errors and offenses in the church, which they oversee. In civil affairs, an official has to overlook much if he is fit to rule. If we can overlook our own shortcomings and wrong-doings, we ought to overlook the shortcomings of others.”
According to Betz
, Paul here is warning against "taking on more than one can handle." He goes on to argue that, in fact, "there is no contradiction between this statement and that in 6:2 because 'sharing the burdens of life' does not eliminate the fact that everybody must learn how to live with himself."
, Paul here is warning against "taking on more than one can handle." He goes on to argue that, in fact, "there is no contradiction between this statement and that in 6:2 because 'sharing the burdens of life' does not eliminate the fact that everybody must learn how to live with himself."
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