|
Galatians 6
Galatians 6:1
"Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are
spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to
thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
Paul is nearing the end of his
letter. He has built a complete case against following after
the law of Moses. Now he is going to take advantage of
this opportunity to give his readership some practical spiritual
instruction. A trespass is a violation of God's will.
The trespass of the overall context of Paul's letter is of course
Judaizing, however, he extends the boundaries to include any
trespass. He admonishes them to carry out this directive in a
spirit of gentleness. In Paul's letter to Timothy, he
expounded more on this spirit of gentleness that is to be the goal
of every Christian when dealing with those who may be in genuine
error. 2 Timothy 2:24-26, "And a servant of the Lord must
not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in
humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will
grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that
they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil,
having been taken captive by him to do his will."
"looking to thyself, lest thou
also be tempted."
Paul cautions his readership to be
careful and see that they do not allow themselves to fall into
temptation of any kind when dealing with those who have gone astray
or are in error. One has to maintain their spirit of
gentleness and not allow themselves to strike out with malicious
intent or cruel behavior. There comes a time when a Christian
must make a stand against error and then such things as church
discipline and disfellowship are called for, but it is vital that we
all know and understand that these things are not license to in any
way act unbecoming of a Christian. Haughtiness, arrogance and self
righteous conduct is what Paul is warning against here. The
restoration of those in error is to be carried out with a spirit of
gentleness and with the goal of restoring the erring brother and
sister to their good standing before God. A hurtful or
malicious spirit is never acceptable.
Galatians 6:2
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Christians are not to be
isolationists. Paul exhorts his readership to get involved
with their brethren. The context here is the restoration of
those in their midst who had erred from the truth. Paul is
telling them not to just stick their head in the sand and do nothing
about their situation. He is telling them to be pro-active
with them, show them you care through actions and not just words.
"and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Here is a direct reference to the
"law of Christ". Paul has written much in this letter
about the rejection of the law of Moses in favor of the faith of
Christ. Many times Paul's reference to the law of Moses is
just simply "the law" or "law". Paul did not refer to the law
of Moses as the "law of Moses" every time he referred to it.
Many people today pull these references entirely out of the overall
context of Paul's letter and use them to set forth the idea that
there is no law under the new system of faith which a Christian must
keep. Their goal being to eliminate the need for strict
obedience to the will of God. They will take Things under the
new covenant which are obviously law which must be kept, and lump
them in with the abolished law of Moses
Proponents of the "no law under
Christ" position do not take a
critical enough look at their own belief. When one puts this
doctrine to the test it is very obvious from the beginning that it
cannot be true that there is no law under the present system of
faith. Those who claim no law under faith like to use Paul's
teachings out of context to support their doctrine. For
example, in Galatians 5:14, Paul wrote, "For all the law is
fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your
neighbor as yourself." Proponents of the no law under
faith doctrine will produce this scripture which lists love as a
requirement for fulfilling a law they say does not exist. Such
a claim is utter nonsense. That is like arguing against a
system of traffic laws by producing a speed limit one has to obey.
It's as if common sense and logic are utterly thrown to the wind.
Either there is law under the system of faith or there is not and
the production of a single ordinance which must be kept under the
system does not disprove the existence of law altogether.
Digging just one layer deeper in this
investigation, one can look at two verses of scripture to produce
yet another insurmountable obstacle to the 'no law under faith'
doctrine: Romans 3:23,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", and 1
John 3:4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:
for sin is the transgression of the law." Since all have
sinned, and sin is a transgression of law, then it stands to reason
that there must be a law to transgress, or else no one could sin and
fall short of the glory of God. When one starts subjecting
this doctrine to a critical Biblical review, it become readily
evident that we do indeed have law under the present day system of
faith. Such a notion should be outright rejected as utter
nonsense.
There is law under the present system
of faith. In other words, there are things one must do in
order to keep the faith of Christ. We are going to examine a
few of these things which one must do in order to keep the faith of
Christ.
1) The most obvious one in this
case is to "bear one another's burdens" which is mentioned in
this very verse. This is something the Galatian Christians
were commanded to do in order to fulfill the law of Christ.
Fulfilling the law of Christ in this context does not mean the
entire law of Christ is observed through the keeping of this one
command. Bearing one another's burdens will fulfill the law of
Christ in so much as that aspect of it is concerned. For
example, while on a trip, one's spouse may caution the driver to
observe the posted speed limit in order to fulfill the traffic law.
The concerned passenger did not mean or imply in any way that all of
the traffic laws in existence were automatically observed by keeping
the one speed limit. Neither did Paul mean or imply that all
of the law of Christ was kept when one bears another's burden.
The law of Christ is kept in so far as that aspect of it is
concerned.
2) We have to believe.
Jesus said in John 3:18, "He who believes in Him is not
condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because
he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God".
Those who do not believe are condemned, therefore it is part of the
law of God to believe. This is something one must do in order
to keep the faith of Christ. Those who say there is no law
under Christ therefore need to explain why one then has to believe.
3) We have to
repent. Jesus said in Luke 13:3, "I
tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Repentance as a component of faith is a requirement, therefore it is
part of the law of Christ. Those who say there is no law under
Christ therefore need to explain why one then has to repent.
We could go on and on and include
confession, baptism and continued obedience but the point is, if
there is anything which one must do in order to live the life of
faith, then the doctrine of 'no law under Christ' cannot be true.
Paul has been contrasting the law of
Moses and the system of faith in Christ throughout this letter.
Here he gives this system of faith another designation. The
law of Christ is simply another reference to the faith of Christ.
There are many different designations used in scripture to "the
faith". Each one of them refers to the same thing and
represents a specific aspect of it.
The faith is sometimes referred to as
the gospel which represents the good news aspect of it. The
faith is sometimes referred to as simply the faith which represents
our belief and hope in a system whereby we can be reconciled to God.
The faith is referred to in the context of Galatians 6:2 as law
which represents a rule or pattern of behavior which one must engage
in. All of these things and many others represent an aspect of the
system of faith in Christ which we live by.
Galatians 6:3
"For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself."
Keeping in mind that the immediate
context here is of restoring those who had been deceived into the
judaizers doctrine a Christian engaged in this must exhibit
humility. If one approaches an erring brother with a holier
than thou attitude, he damages his own credibility and hinders his
efforts. In addition to that, anyone who thinks they are
elevated in stature over others because of their spiritual standing
is deceiving themselves. We are all sinners on the same
journey. Were it not for the mercy and grace of God we would
all be condemned and we must never let ourselves forget that.
Jesus taught the principle of
humility in the parable of the Pharisee
and the tax collector in Luke 18:10-14, "Two men went up to the
temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that
I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even
as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all
that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would
not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast,
saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man
went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will
be exalted." (NKJV)
James wrote in 4:6, "
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
Peter wrote in 1 Peter
5:5-6, "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed
with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the
humble." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God".
Galatians 6:4
"But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his
glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor."
The best way to help restore those in
error is to practice what you preach. One proves their work
when they live their faith. Those who live contrary to the
will of God are going to be more likely to listen when they see
those around them proving their faith by living it.
"and then shall he have his
glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor"
The Judaizers were seeking glory from
others V16. When one demonstrates their work in the Lord, then
they can rejoice inwardly with the quiet and calm assurance that
befits a Christian. The faithful Christian must never seek the
glory and admiration of others. Paul touches on this again in
the final sentences of this letter.
Galatians 6:5
"For each man shall bear
his own burden."
This verse begins with the word "for".
This usually introduces an explanation or continuing thought from
the previous statement. So in order to properly
understand this verse, one needs to consider the preceding text.
Paul exhorts his readership to first prove their work, or in other
words, practice what they preach, or put action to their words.
One's glorying or rejoicing over this will be a private thing and
not something they wear in front of others like a trophy or a badge.
The previous verse was an exhortation of labor. Paul told them
to do something and to be pro-active in the lives of others.
And now Paul assigns personal responsibility to the mix. Keep
in mind the larger context of the proper re-assimilation of erring
brethren to the truth.
In verse 2, Paul told them to
"Bear ye one another's burdens" and now we learn that we
have a burden to bear in this matter and we are responsible for it.
Christians are not only expected to help bear the burdens of others,
they are also responsible for bearing their own. And those
Christians who may have burdens to bear that no other Christian
helps with are still responsible for their own burdens. The
fact that one's brother has been commanded to help bear his burden
does not mean it is not still his burden to bear. Christians
are absolutely required to help one another in the time of need.
But the responsibility for the burden lies squarely on the
individual no matter who may or may not come to their aid.
For example, one may give a certain
task to a servant and make them responsible for completing it.
While doing this, another servant may be required to assist the
first servant in the completion of the task. The servant
responsible for the completion of the task is required to accomplish
that task whether or not the second servant helped him or not.
Another example is, this Bible
student is a project manager for the company he works for. His
employer sends him out to complete a project and sends people with
him as laborers. If this project manager fails to complete the
project, his employer is not going to accept the excuse that his
helpers did not help him. This project manager is to bear the
burden of the project and is responsible for it no matter what.
In a similar fashion, Christians are to bear one another burden's.
We are to help one another. But those burdens remain the sole
responsibility of the one who owns them regardless of whether he or
she gets any help or not.
The primary burden in view of this
context is the burden born by those who are outside the will of God
to return to good standing and for those who are assisting them in
this process. It's a shared burden but in the end, the
responsibility of it lies solely on the owner of that burden.
The application for us today is that we are as individually
responsible for whatever burdens we have and if we fail in these
responsibilities, we cannot point to our brethren and say it's their
fault I failed. If you failed, you are going bear the
consequences. If they failed to help you, they are going to
bear the consequences for that.
"For each man shall bear
his own burden."
Galatians 6:6
"But let him that is
taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good
things."
The ASV rendering of this verse does
not adequately convey the meaning of what Paul wrote here. The
NKJV is much clearer and renders it thus: "Let him who is taught
the word share in all good things with him who teaches."
1 Corinthians 9:9-14
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an
ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned
about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes,
no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope,
and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we
have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap
your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over
you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right,
but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you
not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things
of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the
offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those
who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
NKJV
1 Timothy 5:17-18
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor,
especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the
Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the
grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
NKJV
Galatians 6:7
"Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Romans 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.
NKJV
1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will
receive his own reward according to his own labor.
NKJV
2 Corinthians 5:10-11
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each
one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he
has done, whether good or bad.
11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but
we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your
consciences.
NKJV
Revelation 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are
the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit,
"that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
NKJV
Galatians 6:8
"For he that soweth unto
his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth
unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life."
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary
in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have
opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and
especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:11 See with how large
letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to
make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised;
only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Galatians 6:13 For not even they who
receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to
have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Galatians 6:14 But far be it from me
to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which
the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Galatians 6:15 For neither is
circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Galatians 6:16 And as many as shall
walk by this rule, peace (be) upon them, and mercy, and upon the
Israel of God.
Galatians 6:17 Henceforth, let no man
trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.
Galatians 6:18 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
|
