View Galatians 6 in the note window.
1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in any fault - By surprise,
ignorance, or stress of temptation. Ye who are spiritual - Who continue
to live and walk by the Spirit. Restore such an one - By reproof,
instruction, or exhortation. Every one who can, ought to help herein; only
in the spirit of meekness - This is essential to a spiritual man; and in
this lies the whole force of the cure. Considering thyself - The plural
is beautifully changed into the singular. Let each take heed to himself.
Lest thou also be tempted - Temptation easily and swiftly passes from one
to another; especially if a man endeavours to cure another without
preserving his own meekness.
2: Bear ye one another's burdens - Sympathize with, and assist, each
other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials. And so fulfil the law
of Christ - The law of Christ (an uncommon expression) is the law of love:
this our Lord peculiarly recommends; this he makes the distinguishing
mark of his disciples.
3: If any one think himself to be something - Above his brethren, or
by any strength of his own. When he is nothing, he deceiveth himself - He
alone will bear their burdens, who knows himself to be nothing.
4: But let every man try his own work - Narrowly examine all he is,
and all he doeth. And then he shall have rejoicing in himself - He will
find in himself matter of rejoicing, if his works are right before God.
And not in another - Not in glorying over others.
5: For every one shall bear his own burden - ln that day shall give
an account of himself to God.
6: Let him that is taught impart to him that teacheth all such
temporal good things as he stands in need of.
7: God is not mocked - Although they attempt to mock him, who think to
reap otherwise than they sow.
8: For he that now soweth to the flesh - That follows the desires of
corrupt nature. Shall hereafter of the flesh - Out of this very seed.
Reap corruption - Death everlasting. But he that soweth to the Spirit
- That follows his guidance in all his tempers and conversation. Shall of
the Spirit - By the free grace and power of God, reap life everlasting.
9: But let us not be weary in well doing - Let us persevere in sowing
to the Spirit. For in due season - When the harvest is come, we shall
reap, if we faint not.
10: Therefore as we have opportunity - At whatever time or place, and
in whatever manner we can. The opportunity in general is our lifetime; but
there are also many particular opportunities. Satan is quickened in doing
hurt, by the shortness of the time, (Re 12:12).
By the same consideration let us be quickened in doing good.
Let us do good - In every possible kind, and in every possible degree.
Unto all men - Neighbours or strangers, good or evil, friends or enemies.
But especially to them who are of the household of faith.
For all believers are but one family.
11: Ye see how large a letter - St. Paul had not yet wrote a larger
to any church. I have written with my own hand - He generally wrote by
an amanuensis.
12: As many as desire to make a fair appearance in the flesh - To
preserve a fair character. These constrain you - Both by their example
and importunity. To be circumcised - Not so much from a principle of
conscience, as lest they should suffer persecution - From the unbelieving
Jews. For the cross of Christ - For maintaining that faith in a crucified
Saviour is alone sufficient for justification.
13: For neither they themselves keep the whole law - So far are they
from a real zeal for it. But yet they desire to have you circumcised,
that they may glory in your flesh - That they may boast of you as their
proselytes, and make a merit of this with the other Jews.
14: But God forbid that I should glory - Should boast of anything I
have, am, or do; or rely on anything for my acceptance with God, but
what Christ hath done and suffered for me. By means of which the
world is crucified to me - All the things and persons in it are to me as
nothing. And I unto the world - I am dead to all worldly pursuits, cares,
desires, and enjoyments.
15: For neither circumcision is anything, nor uncircumcision - Neither
of these is of any account. But a new creation - Whereby all things in us
become new.
16: And as many as walk according to this rule -
- Glorying only in the cross of Christ.
- Being crucified to the world. And,
- Created anew.
Peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel, that is, the
Church, of God - Which consists of all those, and those only, of
every nation and kindred, who walk by this rule.
17: From henceforth let none trouble me - By quarrels and disputes.
For I bear - And afflictions should not be added to the afflicted.
In my body the marks of the Lord Jesus - The scars, marks, and brands of
my sufferings for Him.
