This chapter is composed entirely of affectionate exhortation, and the expression of the apostle’s earnest solicitude in the behalf of the Christians in Galatia. He exhorts them Galatians 6:1 to bring back to the ways of virtue anyone who through the strength of strong temptation had been led astray... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN, IF A MAN BE OVERTAKEN - Margin, “Although.” It is a case which the apostle supposes might happen. Christians were not perfect; and it was possible that they who were true Christians might be surprised by temptation, and fall into sin. The word rendered “be overtaken” (προλημφθῃ prolēmpht... [ Continue Reading ]
BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS - See the note at Romans 15:1. Bear with each other; help each other in the divine life. The sense is, that every man has special temptations and easily besetting sins, which constitute a heavy burden. We should aid each other in regard to these, and help one another to... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF A MAN THINK HIMSELF TO BE SOMETHING ... - see Galatians 5:26. This is designed, evidently, to be another reason why we should be kind and tender to those who have erred. It is, that even those who are most confident may fall. They who feel secure, and think it impossible that they should sin,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT LET EVERY MAN PROVE - That is, try or examine in a proper manner. Let him form a proper estimate of what is due to himself, according to his real character. Let him compare himself with the word of God, and the infallible rule which he has given, and by which we are to be judged in the last grea... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY MAN SHALL BEAR HIS OWN BURDEN - This seems to be a kind of proverbial saying; and it means here, every man shall have his proper reward. If he is a virtuous man, he will be happy; if a vicious man, he will be miserable. If a virtuous man, he will have the source of happiness in himself; if... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM THAT IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD - In the word of God; that is, the gospel. COMMUNICATE UNTO HIM - Let him share with him who teaches; let there be a common participation of all good things. IN ALL GOOD THINGS - In everything that is needful for their comfortable subsistence. On the duty here en... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT DECEIVED - That is, in regard to your character, and your hopes for eternity. This is a formula of introduction to some admonition that is especially weighty and important. It implies that there was danger that they would be deceived in reference to their character. The sources of the danger... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH - That makes provision for the indulgence of fleshly appetites and passions; see the notes at Galatians 5:19. He who makes use of his property to give indulgence to licentiousness, intemperance, and vanity. SHALL OF THE FLESH - From the flesh, or as that which indulge... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELLDOING - See the note at 1 Corinthians 15:58. The reference here is particularly to the support of the ministers of religion Galatians 6:6, but the apostle makes the exhortation general. Christians sometimes become weary. There is so much opposition to the best plans fo... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WE HAVE THEREFORE OPPORTUNITY, LET US DO GOOD UNTO ALL MEN - This is the true rule about doing good. “The opportunity to do good,” said Cotton Mather, “imposes the obligation to do it.” The simple rule is, that we are favored with the opportunity, and that we have the power. It is not that we are... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SEE - This might be rendered see, in the imperative. So Tyndale renders it, “Behold.” But it is more commonly supposed that it should be rendered in the indicative. The sense is not materially different whichever translation is adopted. The object of the apostle is, to direct their attention to t... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MANY AS DESIRE TO MAKE A FAIR SHOW IN THE FLESH - To be distinguished for their conformity to external rites and customs. To be known for their zeal in this cause. They sought to show their zeal by making converts, and by inducing others also to conform to those customs. Paul here refers, doubtle... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR NEITHER THEY THEMSELVES WHO ARE CIRCUMCISED - The Jewish teachers, or perhaps all Jews. It was true in general that the Jews did not wholly and entirely obey the Law of Moses, but it is probable that the apostle refers particularly here to the judaizing teachers in Galatia. KEEP THE LAW - The L... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GOD FORBID - See the note at Romans 3:4. “For me it is not to glory except in the cross of Christ.” The object of Paul here is evidently to place himself in contrast with the judaizing teachers, and to show his determined purpose to glory in nothing else but the cross of Christ. Well they knew t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN CHRIST JESUS - In his religion; see the note at Galatians 5:6. BUT A NEW CREATURE - The fact that a man is created anew, or born again, constitutes the real difference between him and other people. This is what Christ requires; this is the distinction which he designs to make. It is not by c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS MANY AS WALK - As many as live, for so the word walk is used in the Scriptures. According to this rule. Greek: “This canon”; see the word explained in the notes at 2 Corinthians 10:13. PEACE BE ON THEM - See the note at Romans 15:33. AND UPON THE ISRAEL OF GOD - The true church of God; all... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM HENCEFORTH - For the remaining time; that is, during the remainder of my life. LET NO MAN TROUBLE ME - This implies that he had had trouble of some kind, and he earnestly desires that he may have no more. What particular trouble he here refers to, is not certainly known, and commentators have n... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN, THE GRACE ... - See the note at Romans 16:20.... [ Continue Reading ]