Galatians 6:1-16 Biblical Commentary:
Introduction: In this final chapter, Paul reveals that liberty in Christ involves responsibilities. Those who are "spiritual" are to restore those overtaken in trespasses, and all are to bear one another's burden thereby fulfilling the "law of Christ" (vv. 1-2). At the same time, each Christian ought to examine himself and seek to bear his own load (vv. 3-5). Further responsibilities involve sharing with those who teach, and not growing weary in doing good to all, especially those of the household of faith. As motivation to do good, Paul reminds them of the principles of "sowing" and "reaping", particularly as it relates to the flesh and Spirit (vv. 6-10). Summarizing his whole epistle in one verse, Paul reasserts that circumcision is inconsequential, and that in Christ Jesus becoming a new creation is what really matters (v. 15).
GALATIANS 6:1-5. BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
"Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" (Greek: prautes) (v. 1a). Christians have often been depicted as frowning and finger-wagging, always accusing others of misdoing. But Paul calls the Galatian Christians to rehabilitate anyone caught in sin-and to do so in a spirit of gentleness. The word prautes (gentleness) is often translated meekness. We should not think that prautes is weakness. Prautes is, instead, power under control-able to display the appropriate response to fit the circumstance. In some cases, that might be anger. In other cases, it might be gentleness. Both can be useful in a rehabilitative process. Jesus described himself as "praus and lowly in heart" (11:29). Matthew described Jesus as a king, "praus, and mounted on a donkey" (21:5). Jesus modeled praus at his trial, where he refused to defend himself. He was poised and in control, not weak, but refusing to make claims for himself or to mount a defense.
"looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted" (v. 1b). The person confronting a sinner can be tempted in various ways. This verse sounds as if a person confronting a drunk might be tempted to join the drunk in drinking to excess. That will seldom happen. More likely, the person doing the confronting will be tempted to adopt a judgmental attitude that will (1) make it difficult to relate to the drunk-to the detriment of the sinner-and (2) well up inside the confronter as spiritual pride-to the detriment of the confronter. But some sins are contagious, especially when people begin to regard them as normative behavior.
"Bear one another's burdens" (v. 2a). To bear one another's burdens is to provide help where help is needed, whether that be spiritual or physical-a shoulder to cry on or a loaf of bread or help with a house payment-whatever is needed. In this verse, Paul is talking about Christians helping Christians. Christians have, from the beginning, thought of themselves as brothers and sisters in Christ, and brothers and sisters have a heart for each other-at least in healthy families.
But Christians also bear burdens for people outside the church. Our little congregation currently has one man in Nicaragua helping to drill wells and another man helping with an orphanage in Africa. Both expect to serve in those places for at least a year. A local Christian eye doctor goes on an annual mission to provide eye care to indigent people. Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based ministry that provides houses to needy people with no religious test. Christian have banded together to share health-care costs. The possibilities for burden-bearing are limited only by our imaginations.
"and so fulfill the law of Christ" (v. 2b). It seems odd that Paul would speak of the law of Christ, because his letter to the Galatians emphasizes that Christ has set us from the law.
• However, Christ endorsed two laws-love God and love your neighbor-and said that all the law and prophets depend on those two laws (Matthew 22:34-40). The person who obeys those two laws can be assured of living in proper relationship to God and neighbor.
• Paul listed works of the flesh, warning that those who dealt in such things would not inherit the kingdom of God (5:16-21)-and listed the fruits of the Spirit, calling the Galatians to live by the Spirit (5:22-25).
Even though Paul was opposed to Christians submitting to Jewish laws, such as circumcision, he was not averse to explaining how the Christian life involves adhering to certain behaviors and avoiding other behaviors.
"For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (v. 3). People with big egos aren't likely to bear another person's burdens. Egocentric people tend to be judgmental and uncaring. Such people deceive themselves, because they lack the virtues that would make them truly great in the kingdom of God.
"But let each man test (Greek: dokimazo) his own work" (v. 4a). The word dokimazo means to test or prove something. Paul is calling these Galatians to examine their own work with a critical eye to determine what has value and what doesn't.
"and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor" (v. 4b). Believers who examine their own work critically-discarding unworthy works while building up those that are worthy-will have proper cause to take pride in their work. Paul calls these Galatians to focus on improving themselves instead of focusing on what their neighbor is doing.
"For each man will bear his own burden" (v. 5). This seems contrary to "bear one another's burdens in verse 2. However, it is just a shift of emphasis. Beginning in verse 4, Paul encouraged these believers to mind their own business rather than trying to mind their neighbor's business. Verse 5 continues that emphasis. Just think how much happier a world this would be if we would all do that-if we would mind our own business rather than our neighbor's business. Just imagine how much more smoothly our churches would run if all Christians would do this. Just imagine how much more effective would be our witness to the world. Someone once said, "The church is the only army in the world that shoots its own wounded." Instead of doing that, let's learn to restore the fallen person in a spirit of gentleness (5:1)-and to bear one another's burdens (6:2)-and to mind our own business.
GALATIANS 6:6. SHARING ALL GOOD THINGS
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Although Paul earned his own livelihood by making tents, he understood the needs of those who teach the word of God. It is only right, then, for those who are taught to "share all good things" with their teacher.
GALATIANS 6:7-10. SOWING AND REAPING
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
"Don't be deceived. God is not mocked" (v. 7a). We cannot fool God. We might ignore God or ridicule faith or claim that there is no God, but God knows our hearts and will have the final word.
"for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (v. 7b). The Bible is full of these homely aphorisms, and we are the richer for it. They are easy to remember, so they sit in our consciousness ready to bless us at just the right time. Every gardener will recognize the truth behind this saying. We can't reap lettuce by sowing radish seed. We literally reap that which we sow. If we are generous with the seed, we will gain a greater harvest. If we are stingy with the seed, we won't enjoy as good a crop as we otherwise would. As we will see in the next verse, that is true in the spiritual as well as in the physical realm.
"For he who sows to his own flesh (Greek: sarx) will from the flesh reap corruption (Greek:phthora). But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (v. 8). In the last chapter, Paul contrasted the works of the flesh (5:19-21) and the fruits of the Spirit (5:22-24). He uses that same flesh/Spirit duality in this verse. Sarx (flesh) depicts a focus on bodily indulgence rather than on Godly service. The works of the flesh include such things as sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, jealousy, drunkenness, "and things like these." By way of contrast, the fruits of the Spirit include such things as love, joy, peace, and things like that. Paul promises that the person "who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (v. 8). I am reminded of a story, probably apocryphal, about a missionary and his wife returning to their homeland after a lifetime of service on their mission field. As their ship came near the pier, they noticed another ship with a celebrity aboard being greeted by a great crowd. The missionary commented that no one had come to greet them for their homecoming. Then he heard a voice say, "You aren't home yet."
"Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up" (v. 9). Paul promises that, if we do good works, "we will reap in due season." We must remember that God's timetable for rewards might not be as prompt as we would like. The rewards of faithful service might come slowly-but they will come certainly.
But Paul adds, "if we don't give up." By coincidence, I happened recently to read an article on the number of clergy who leave the ministry every year-and the number who would like to leave but feel trapped. The numbers are high, because the pressures on clergy are intense-and they often find it difficult to see that they have accomplished anything. But we don't have to be clergy to get discouraged. Lay people experience the same kind of burnout if they have been active in church leadership. So Paul's comment, "if we don't give up," comes both as a statement of fact and a warning.
"So 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" (v. 10). As noted above, missionaries, physicians serving a one or two-week mission to a needy locale, and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity serve everyone-with no faith requirement. Paul encourages that kind of outreach "toward all men." But then he adds, "and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith." This is reminiscent of his counsel in verse 2 to bear one another's burdens. Christians have a great responsibility to serve those across the seas-but we also have an obligation, perhaps even greater, to serve those in the next pew.
GALATIANS 6:11-16. THEY COMPEL YOU, BUT NOT THEMSELVES
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
"See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand" (v. 11). Paul typically dictated his letters to an amanuensis (a person trained to take dictation). He probably dictated most of this letter, but took over the writing with this verse, his way of giving special emphasis to what follows.
"As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ" (v. 12). Paul addresses the motives of the Judaizers, saying that they are trying to compel circumcision of Christians for three reasons: (1) so that they might "look good in the flesh"-in other words, so that they might look good to other people; (2) to escape being persecuted; and (3) so "that they may boast in your flesh" (v. 13). Paul understood persecution of Christians by Jews, because he had been on both ends personally-both persecutor (Acts 9:1) and persecuted (Acts 9:23-25; 13:44-45, 50; 14:5, 19; 16:19-40; 17:5-8, 13-14; 18:12-17; 19:9, 21-41; 21:27-36, 30; 23:1 26:32).
"For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh" (v. 13). In the old West, gunslingers sometimes carved a notch in their gun for each person they had killed. We have something of that mentality here-although more civilized. The Judaizers were seeking bragging rights about persuading Christians to observe the Jewish law, especially with regard to circumcision.
"But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14a). In contrast to the Judaizers, Paul is not seeking bragging rights about anything other than the efficacy of the cross of Christ. "Pride in the Law has been displaced by pride in the Cross; pride in 'righteousness' as an achievement, by pride in that which empties him of pride" (C.H. Dodd, New Testament Studies).
"through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (v. 14b). At one time, Paul had much of which to be proud. He described himself as "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly (church); concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless" (Philippians 3:5-6). But he concluded by saying, "However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ" (Philippians 3:7).
"For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (v. 15). Christ doesn't use circumcision or uncircumcision as a basis for inclusion or exclusion. Both are meaningless categories to him.
• Earlier, Paul said, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love" (5:6).
• Now he says, "For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation."
The difference in these two statements is that "faith working through love" is something over which the believer has some control-but "a new creation" is something wholly the product of the Creator's creative nature.
"As many as walk by this rule" (Greek: kanon) (v. 16a). The Greek word kanon (rule) would have been used by a carpenter to describe anything used for measurements: A balance scale, a plumb line, or a ruler. The early church adopted kanon (as our word canon) for the accepted list of Biblical books. Paul uses kanon here metaphorically as a standard or rule-a measuring stick by which we can measure our lives. He is blessing the rule that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amount to anything.
"peace and mercy be on them" (v. 16b). Paul pronounces a benediction of peace and mercy on all who follow this kanon-this rule that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything in Christ's accounting.
"and on God's Israel" (v. 16c). Israel was historically the people of God-God's chosen people. The church is the New Israel. When Paul uses this phrase, "God's Israel," he is probably referring to the New Israel-the new people of God-which would include both Jews (such as Paul) and Gentiles (whom Paul serves as the apostle to the Gentiles).
Grace Int'l Gal. 6 Commentary - DO GOOD TO ALL
In many of his letters, Paul concludes with a list of commands. In Galatians, he gives a series of proverbs. He wants his readers to be guided by the Spirit, not a list of laws, so he gives them principles that require some thought.
Restore a sinner gently (verses 1-5)
The Galatian Christians were probably concerned about sin - they were attracted to the law of Moses because it seemed to address the problem of misbehavior. But Paul is more concerned about the person than he is the sin: "If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."
What kind of sin is Paul talking about - a moment of weakness, or a persistent problem? It's not clear, but it alienated the person from the community, and restoration was needed. This must be done gently by Spirit-led people, who know their own tendency to sin in other, perhaps less public ways. We should treat others the way that we want to be treated, with compassion and patience.
As brothers and sisters in the faith, we are to help one another: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." If you want a law, he seems to say, start with the law of helping others. Jesus served others rather than himself, and so should we. When someone is caught in a sin, we need to help the person - not make the burden heavier. This is love, which fulfills the purpose of God's law (5:14).
Paul's next proverb is a truism: "If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves." This seems to be a warning for people who think they are spiritual giants and never likely to be caught in a sin. If you think you can stand on your own, he says elsewhere, watch out, for you could fall, too (1 Corinthians 10:12).
"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." We are not the judge of how well other people are doing in the faith - but we should be attentive to whether we are doing what we ought. We can celebrate that we have grown, but we should not take pride in being better than others. Each person has his or her own journey in life. As Paul says, "each one should carry their own load."
On the surface, this appears to contradict what Paul said in verse 2. Are we to help one another, or to be self-reliant? Well, both. We should be attentive to our own life, but we should also help others-and we should recognize that we will sometimes fall short in our responsibilities, and will then need the help of others. Spiritual growth is a matter of cooperation, not competition.
Supporting teachers, doing good (verses 6-10)
Paul's next proverb concerns financial support for the leaders of the church: "The one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor." When the people were spiritually immature, Paul was willing to support himself by making tents, but he also taught that believers should support those who labor in the gospel. If we want teachers to help us with their abilities, then we must help them according to our ability.
Paul says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." This principle could be applied in many settings; here, it seems to refer to financial support for teachers in the church. No matter how diligent our teachers are, if they have to support themselves financially, they will inevitably have less time to help others. When we give more, we receive more.
Paul applies the proverb to spiritual matters: "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." A self-centered life produces only material things that eventually waste away. A life curved in on itself doesn't even want the kind of life that God offers.
But if we are attentive to spiritual priorities, the result will be more blessings from the Spirit. This is not a matter of earning eternal life through good works - it is simply an acknowledgment that spiritual choices have results. If we focus on ourselves, our life will produce nothing of value. But if we make decisions in life following the Spirit, we will be participating in the kind of life we will enjoy forever. The Spirit leads us and empowers us, but we still have the choice of how to live, and our decisions do have consequences.
Paul makes it clear that the works of the law cannot save us, but he has nothing against good works: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Why do we get tired of doing good? Because it doesn't always have immediate rewards. But it will eventually have good results.
Paul concludes: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Since doing good is the right way to live, we should do good not just to our friends, but to all people - and yet Paul notes that we have a special responsibility to others in the church.
In Paul's day, wealthy citizens often financed public banquets and new civic buildings: they were "doing good to all." Be a public benefactor, Paul is saying, especially within the church. If you sow generously, you will reap abundantly (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Boasting in the cross (verses 11-18)
Paul now takes the quill and writes the closing words himself, as Greek authors often did. He writes in large letters either for emphasis, or simply because he was not as skilled as the secretary in writing on porous papyrus. "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!"
He adds a few thoughts about circumcision: "Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ." Basically, the false teachers wanted Christianity to be a sect within Judaism, and for all Gentile believers to become proselytes. They may have offered various religious reasons, but Paul says that what they really wanted was to be accepted by unbelieving Jews.
But there is an irony here: "Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh." As a former Pharisee, Paul knew the rigor involved in keeping all the laws - and these people don't have that kind of zeal, he says. They just want to brag about bringing proselytes into the Jewish fold.
"It's Not About You!"- A Sermon on Galatians 6:1-10
Luther wrote in the introduction to his commentary on Galatians, "The Epistle to the Galatians is my epistle, to which I am betrothed. It is my Katie von Bora." Galatians was an eye-opener and rallying cry for Luther, as it addressed the issue legalism in the Galatian church. A sect, which Paul calls "Judaizers" were teaching that Gentile converts had to come under Mosaic law. No says Paul. You are saved by grace through faith in Christ. This became Luther's (and later reformers) raison d'etre if you will. To lift the burden of religious obligation, do this, pay this, donate to this, say this prayer, bow, etc.
Jesus addressed the same problem, speaking against what the Pharisee had done in the Second Temple period; "And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger" Matt 23:4. Peter when addressing the leaders of the church said of this group of Judaizers: "Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?" (Acts 15)
In Galatians 6, Paul switches gears. He begins his paraenesis- a series of teaching points which follows the argument of the letter which addresses a specific issue in the church to which he is writing. "Brothers", "therefore", "But", "Now" mark these transitions in Paul's letters (See Romans 12, Col 3). Also notice a change in verb tenses. No longer Greek aorist or perfects. Suddenly we see imperatives and participles. Paul is shifting gears from what is true, to how it should be lived out.
In the case of Galatians, if Salvation is by grace, how then do we live together as sinners saved by grace? Galatians 5 tells us of what things we can expect when the Holy Spirit is in control of our lives. Galatians 6 then flows out of that, to tell us how we relate to one another when we walk "in step with the Holy Spirit"
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression
"Caught" in this case does not mean an "a-ha, I caught you!" moment. We are not responsible for going looking for others' sins, hoping to catch them doing something wrong. Jesus addresses this repeatedly (see Mt. 7:1ff, John 8:1-12). It is not our duty to police the sinners, to probe the church members lives looking for skeletons.
What Paul means here, what the Greek actually says is "trapped" or "entangled". Sin does that. Think of Hebrews 12:1-2 where Christians are called drop our chains, remove anything that hinders, and "sin which so easily entangles us." We get stuck in sin. It's like quicksand. The harder we fight, the worse it gets. The people around us will likely get "stuck" in something they shouldn't. Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Sin is something that you get "yoked" to. You become enslaved to it. That guy who you look down your nose at say I can't believe he would keep on doing that, he needs to clean up his act- guess what, on his own, chances are, he can't. He needs the freedom which comes through the power of Christ. Show him Jesus.
The word used for sin here is one of several words translated as sin. paraptoma is different from the more generic amartia. paraptoma carries more of a "fall away" or "step to the side". This isn't just a one off moral failure or not being as good as I should be. Paul is specifically talking about habitual sin; patterns which are enslaving, addictions even.
you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Spiritual and spirit of gentleness. Catch that. Twice in the same thought. This is a spiritual thing. Sin requires a spiritual solution.
Dealing with sin should always have restoration in mind. In this instance "restore" refers to repair or "put in order", but can also mean "perfect" or "make complete". Dealing with sin is not about punishing the guilty. The priority is reconciliation. Moving toward making things right again- getting that person back to where they should be. Helping the one who has fallen to the side get back where they belong.
Gentleness. How often is our reaction to sin something which could be described as gentleness. Gentleness doesn't mean saying it's ok. Gentleness doesn't mean being dismissive to spare the person's feelings. Gentleness mean you are clear in your intent not to harm the person but help. It means communicating in humility and tenderness. Respecting the fact that this person probably feels guilt and shame already. Gentleness is how Jesus responds to those trapped in sin. Think of the woman caught in adultery in John 8, or the Samaritan woman in John 4. Jesus says hey, what you've been up to is wrong. But let me help you. I am not interested in seeing you punished, but in seeing you made whole. When do we see Jesus get harsh? It isn't with the "dirty sinners". Prostitutes, tax collectors, adulterers, pagans, the drunks, the drug dealers, the homosexuals and all those folks the Pharisees glared at found Jesus to be tender, kind, humble. The only folks who get an earful of hellfire from Jesus are the religious folks; the self-righteous, arrogant, condescending, those with the "habit of censorious and carping criticism" (Tasker, Matthew, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975); the folks who are certain they are right, and the "other" is a sinner.
"Where are those that condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more." (John 8)
Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
When you go digging through someone's skeletons, it rarely ends well. Be careful. Watch yourself... don't watch them. They're already stuck. If you end up stuck too, you can't be of any help.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
All to often the temptation is to say "hey everyone look at so and so's sins!" Or to say to the person, "you are evil." "You're a sinner." "God hates you." How on earth will that help anyone. Calling attention to it won't benefit or restore. You simply heap shame on top of shame. Bear one another's burden. "How can I help you out of this?" "How can I help you be set free from this?" "How can I incarnate the love and grace of God for you?"
Your job is not to let them know how serious their sin is. Your job is not to prooftext all the ways that so-and-so has angered God. Jesus didn't quote the commandments at the woman caught in adultery. He didn't tell her to be ashamed of herself. He said, go and sin no more. He is saying, you can be free of all this. You don't have to carry this baggage.
Fulfill the law of Christ. Law of Christ? Wait, I thought we had grace not law. That's the point. Live out grace. Love the Lord and Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no law against love.
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Sorry to be the one to break this to you, but you're not as holy you think you are. You are not in a position to tell others how to live. "First get the plank out of your own eye," Jesus says, then you can deal with the speck in your neighbour's eye. Just remember when you point out your neighbour's sin, chances are your neighbour can point out yours.
Does this mean we ignore the others' sin? No. Just don't pretend to do it from a place of moral superiority. Get rid of your plank so you can help with their speck. Mutual moral accountability can be a powerful thing in the Christian journey. Correction is helpful if it's give and take and done with the purpose of genuine desire to assist one another to grow in love and obedience. Humility is key.
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbour.
Test your own work. Evaluate your own obedience. Measure your work against God's standard, not against the moral failure of someone else. Remember the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee (Lk. 18:9-14). You aren't righteous because your neighbour isn't. Not committing the sins your neighbour does is not the way to impress God.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
It's weird for a pastor to comment on this verse, because, basically Paul is saying pay your pastors.
But also more than that. Share all good things. Not just money. Encouragement, hospitality, respect, testimony.
This lends back to accountability. What are you learning? What is the word of God teaching you? Who are you telling about what you learn? "Hey I didn't realize that until you taught it to me... Hey, thanks for that lesson... Hey, that verse really convicted me... I didn't understand what that verse meant until you explained it to me."
Your leaders should feel appreciated and respected, not taken advantage of.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
"Do not be deceived..." but the Galatians have been deceived recently. Galatians 3:1, "You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?"
You guys can't fool God. You can't create a diversion with someone else's sin. It won't work. "God, look at his sin." God says, "hey, look at yours, you are responsible for your actions, and there are consequences."
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
If your faith is self serving, you're in trouble. If you live life for your own benefit and your expressions of faith have selfish desire behind them, it's all going to go sour, in a real hurry. The Christian walk is not about you. Yes, God loves you, and pours himself out for you, to redeem you and reconcile you to himself. But the life you live now is not your own (Gal. 2:20). Really it never was.
When you live for yourself you are in grave danger. James 1:14-15, "but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. " The root of sin is inside you already. If you live in your own selfishness, sin is imminent. Jesus said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." (Mk. 7 & Mt. 15)
Sin entered the world in Genesis 3 when mankind wanted more. Adam and Eve wanted what wasn't theirs. They wanted to be like God- not in the sense of reflecting godly character, but they were after God's status, equality with God.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Sow in the Spirit and good things will happen. Remember this passage comes right after the Fruits of the Spirit discussion. In 5:25 Paul says "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Quit living for yourself. It is not you who live, but Jesus Christ lives in you. Let him do it. Let him live through you. Let the goodness of God which is in Christ flow through you to bless others. You are blessed to be a blessing. The fruit of the Spirit is not simply for your own benefit.
Abraham was promised that he would be blessed. The Pharisees clung to that; And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abrahamas our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham (Mt. 3:9). What they forgot was that the promise came with an imperative. I will make you into a great nation. "Be a blessing." (Genesis 12:2, see L. Turner, Genesis, London: T&T Clark, 2000, 64) Do good. Bless others. Is your presence a blessing to the folks you encounter? If not, you're doing it wrong (See Mt.5:14-16, 1 Pet. 2:12).
Keep in step with the Spirit. Let the Spirit lead, and follow through. Our promise is that if we do it, if we let him live in us, he will produce Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. He will produce it, in you and through you to others.
Are you missing love, joy, peace... etc.? Chances are you're missing this essential piece of the gospel- that when you stop living for your own selfishness and let Christ live in you, he will produce the good things in you and through you. The people around you will be blessed. Ever wonder why certain people always seem to draw others to them? The Holy Spirit is contagious. If people see God at work in you, and they see love, joy, peace... etc. They'll take notice. They'll know that thy have been blessed.
It's not about you.
