Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. NET
In verse one we are talking about behavior that is incompatible with our new lives and inconsistent with God’s expectations. We know who is spiritual because of their fruits but here Paul may be thinking more in terms of those who are spiritually mature.
The restoration should be done with care because tomorrow the roles might be reversed and you may be the one in need. Paul isn’t thinking in terms of formal hierchy but rather a community of believers serving each other. On the other hand, church discipline can wander away from love and gentleness and be handled in a way that isn’t helpful nor consistent with Scripture.
Verse two demonstrates why it is important to read the whole letter instead of cherry picking verses. Even though we aren’t saved by the Law, it is nonetheless an expression of God’s righteous and unchanging expectations. We are fulfilling the Law not in order to be spiritual but because we are spiritual.
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each one will carry his own load. NET
We need to remain humble and be careful not to start thinking of ourselves as better or more faithful because all of us are flawed and we will not be fully sanctified in this life.
Galatians 6:6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. NHEB
Even at this point in Christian history, there appear to be people who have devoted themselves to teaching the Gospel. The time they have spent both studying and teaching keeps them from earning a living in other ways. As a result, this verse has been interpreted to mean that you should pay preachers. Luther said that one of the clearest indicators of a regenerated heart is shown in how someone spends their money.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a person sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap everlasting life. NHEB
We are troubled from time to time about bad things happening to good people (especially since we think of ourselves as good). More troubling is when good things happen to bad people. Despite our misgivings, we are not yet at a point in time to assess fairness since it is still early in the game. There was a recent NFL playoff game where the home team got so far behind in the first quarter that it appeared that the game was over. The home team persevered and ending up winning the game by a comfortable margin.
Our favorite minister has told the story about one of his college professors who would tell them “you guys sow your wild oats on Saturday night and on Sunday morning are praying for a crop failure!”. Keep in mind that there is typically a gap between planting seeds and reaping a harvest – it doesn’t happen overnight but rather takes time for the seeds to germinate, then grow and finally to mature.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we do not give up.10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do what is good toward all people, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. NHEB
Verse 9 is classic Paul language. This is a time of sowing with the reaping to come in the future.
When Peter is preaching in the house of Cornelius, he sums up the earthly ministry of Jesus by saying that He went around doing good. Francis Schaeffer talked about two aspects of Christian faith: 1) right belief and 2) right behavior. As people of faith, when we have the opportunity for good we should embrace that opportunity and go for it!
Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. NHEB
This certifies Paul is writing the letter. Paul has scribes helping him write but here writes a little in his own handwriting so that it will be clear that it is from him. The people knew about Paul’s bad eyesight which caused him to write in large letters. Some modern scholars will claim that certain letters weren’t written by Paul based upon their analysis of the writing style. Not to rain on their parade, but worth remembering the professor from Dallas Theological Seminary who proved that he didn’t write his own dissertation based upon the same methods employed by modern scholars to deny Paul’s authorship. Their position also overlooks the growth and change in our outlook as we age and the likelihood that Paul had different people assisting him.
Galatians 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. BSB
As we have discussed, the act of circumcision means that you agree to keep the law (but of course, you can’t keep the law). This looks good for the people who convinced you to become circumcised yet they don’t follow it themselves. Their reason for pushing you toward circumcision is self-promotion. The Book of Hebrews is directed at a group of Jewish Christians who are getting persecuted and are thinking about going back to Judaism. The question asked is what are they giving up?
Galatians 6:14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel. NHEB
Paul begins Galatians (see Galatians 1:10) by saying he isn’t interested in being popular or pleasing to men. If we are so focused on the outside, we will miss the most important part as what is outward isn’t important – it is the inside that counts.
It is easy to answer that “God’s Israel” is the church but that overlooks the promise made by God to the Jews. The argument has arisen in Christian history that the church has somehow replaced Israel and the Jews no longer have any blessings. The response to this idea of supercessionism is dispensationalism. In classical dispensationalism, there is a difference between Israel and the church but both still are in the big picture when it comes to people of God. For examples, see Romans 9,10 and 11 or look at the 24 elders in Revelation that represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. Again, Paul’s criticism isn’t against Judaism but the fact that the teachers in his time aren’t teaching traditional Judaism.
Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. NET
Although it is still early in the game, Paul is getting beaten up as a result of his preaching as he is upsetting the status quo. Paul doesn’t just proclaim the Gospel but lives it as well (and has the bumps and bruises to prove it). In his closing, he still regards these people as Christians despite the Judaizers.