Brief notes on my translation of Galatians 6:1-5
Help Each Other’s Burdens
1 Brothers, if someone has been blindsided by a certain wrongdoing, then youp who are spiritual restore this one with an attitude of meekness. Consider yourselfs, lest yous also be tempted.
[This chapter continues with the rules of Christianity. These rules are what God wants for us in living the Christian faith. The word “restore” is the Greek word καταρτίζω katartízō (G2675) which means “mend” as in mending nets (see Matthew 4:21). We must help our brother and sister. We must know the truth, the Scriptures, the doctrine, the life, the worldview, the promises, etc. ourselves before we can help others. We also have to lookout for ourselves lest when counseling, we sympathize too much and bond with them unlawfully].
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ.
[The Bible is consistent in the Old and New Testament—we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. God cares about our welfare and helps us, so we should our neighbor. See Leviticus 19:18, Zechariah 8:17, Matthew 19:19, Romans 19:10, and Luke 10:30-37. The natural way of the flesh and sinful nature is Proverbs 14:20. The Law of Christ refers to John 13:34. The word “fulfill” is the Greek word ἀναπληρόω anaplēróō (G378) and means to supply what is missing so to fill up a container (See Vincent’s Word Studies). Compare 1 Corinthians 16:17 (supplied) and Philippians 2:30].
3 For if someone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
[This verse contains the opposite of the Christian life. This verse describes the sinful life that we must shed. The core of the Christian life is to love God and serve Him forever. The core of the sinful life is to love self and serve ourselves forever. So instead of thinking ourselves to be something, we are to think of others as better than ourselves. See Philippians 2:3 and Romans 12:3. When we think this sinful way, we are presuming about our ability and gifts. See 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 and Proverbs 12:15. Self-deception is a terrifying thing corrupting all we think, say, and do. Truth is more important. We are to be truthful about ourselves just as we need to be truthful about others. God hates liars].
4 Instead, let everyone put his own work to the test, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, not in someone else.
[The “test” mentioned here is God’s standard. The standard for Christians is found in the New Testament. Let us be like the Psalmist in Psalm 119:59. How do we line up with God’s standard? Compare 1 Corinthians 11:31. Our prayer should be like Psalm 27:2].
5 For everyone will bear his own burden.
[This refers to our personal responsibilities and accountability to God. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:8, 13-15 and Romans 14:12].