New Testament
Galatians 6
Overview
Paul applies life in the Spirit to community life. Those who are spiritual should restore a person caught in sin "in a spirit of gentleness," watching themselves lest they too be tempted, and "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (6:1-2)—balanced at once by "each will have to bear his own load" (6:5), distinguishing crushing burdens from personal responsibility. He commands generosity toward gospel teachers (6:6) and states the principle of the harvest: "whatever one sows, that will he also reap"—sow to the flesh, reap corruption; sow to the Spirit, reap eternal life (6:7-8)—urging them not to "grow weary of doing good" (6:9-10). Then Paul takes the pen in his own hand for a large-lettered closing (6:11), exposing the agitators' real motive: they push circumcision "to make a good showing in the flesh" and "avoid persecution for the cross" (6:12-13). Against this he sets his only boast: "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (6:14). The final word: "neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (6:15), with a blessing of peace on "the Israel of God" and a plea grounded in the marks of Jesus he bears on his body (6:16-18).
1Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.
2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.
5For each man will bear his own burden.
6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
7Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8For 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 eternal life.
9Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.
10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
11See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.
12As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised, just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, so that they may boast in your flesh.
14But 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.
15For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
17From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.