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| Chapter 6 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man put to the proof his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the Word share with him that teacheth, in all good things. 7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto those who are of the household of faith. 11 ¶ Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair showing in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised, only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even they themselves who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. |
"Love one another," "Bear one another’s burdens," "pray for one another" are key thoughts in this chapter. James 5:16; 1 Thess 5:11; Rom 12:10. The Spirit led Christian thinks of others and tries to help them. The Judaizers were doing the opposite, putting burdens upon the believers. Acts 15:10, this was also one of the wrong things the Pharisees were doing in the times of Jesus. Matt 23:4. The "Legalist" are also happy to mistreat wrong doing John 8:2-11; Acts 21:27ff. The spiritual man tries to help the brother who has problems, the Judaizers (Legalists)would try to gain position or benefit from the persons problem, often condemning the person at the same time. Gal 5:26. A believer who is walking in the Spirit does not compete with others, approaches the brothers problem with meekness, (quite or gentle), they do not try to make themselves look good. When we try to help another with a problem, consider the warnings given by Jesus in Matt 7:1-5 and instructions in dealing with a problem in Matt 18:15-35. v4 "proof his own work," compare their life with God’s Standard and Will, not others. v5 The word "burden" used here is referring to the "soldiers pack" while v2 is talking about an "heavy burden.." We are each responsible for our own life and family, others can help with problems, but the final responsibility is always ours personally. v6-10 Fellowship Blessings. v6 Share with each other any spiritual blessing received. v7,8 God has ordained that we "reap what we sow," if a farmer sows wheat he does not expect apples trees to grow. Paul here is telling the Galatians and us to watch what and where we sow, according to our flesh desires or spiritual desires. Whatever we decide to sow, we cannot change the harvest, it is for eternity. Note 2 Cor 9:6. v9 A Promise - having worked in the Spirit as above, Paul now tells the readers that we shall be rewarded as long as we do not fail to get weary of the Lords work. We can all "work for the Lord" but not "work in the Lord," spiritually motivated and guided. We all need in our lives:- 1) the Word of God, Matt 4:4, without ‘food’ we shall die. 2) Prayer, Luke 18:1. v11-18 Paul usually dictated his letters and only wrote the final greetings but in this letter he is so concerned about the situation for he is lead by the Holy Spirit to write the whole of the final section. Many Bible students believe that Paul’s thorn in the flesh 2 Cor 12:7-10; Gal 4:14-15 was some kind of eye problem and this caused him to write large letters but in this case he is putting emphasis on his thoughts, that the Spirit filled and led believer does all for the glory of God, not for personal glory and praise. v12,13 Paul describes the Judaizers as one who is always showing off, they wanted people to follow their teaching so that they could ‘show them off,’ "they may glory in your flesh." Paul also questioned why they preached "we must be circumcised," yet they did not keep the Law themselves, hypocrites, all they did was avoid being persecuted as Christians. Today we tend to forget the meaning of the cross and the act of crucifixion, they have become just symbols or jewelry. To the Jew the cross was a stumbling block, to Gentiles foolishness 1 Cor 1:18-31. v14-16 Jesus and His cross. Paul glorifies the cross, and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for each one of us. The Judaizers never glorified the cross, nor did they give Jesus Christ the glory due to Him. The cross was to bring "a new creature" or new creation, the Body of Christ, the one which had "freedom and liberty" in Christ. See Rom 5:12-21. v16 Paul also calls the new creation "the Israel of God.," one of the many names of the Church of Christ, 1 Peter 2:9. This does not mean it is a permanent replacement for the nation of Israel, just until the return of Christ. This must have been a terrible rejection to the Judaizers as they wanted to return to the tribe of Israel and all its laws. v17,18 Paul said that he has "the marks of Jesus," marks which he received as part of giving Christ the glory, how different to the Judaizers who wanted to "scar" others for their own glory. Consider 2 Cor 11:23-33 v18 Paul completes the letter in reminding them that all was through the Grace of Jesus. |
Easy English Translation
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