Read the Passage: Galatians 6

Bearing Burdens (6:1–5)

In Gal. 5:16–18, Paul had exhorted his readers to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). This exhortation was given to counteract the logical yet mistaken notion that not being under the law means that anything is morally permissible. In other words, Paul wanted his readers to know that just because we are not saved by law-keeping does not mean that we ought not to keep the law. Indeed, while we are not saved by works, if we are saved, we surely will work. In Gal. 5:19–21 Paul described what it looks like to walk in the flesh, while in Gal. 5:22–26 he details the spiritual fruit that is manifest as one walks in the Spirit. Beginning in Gal. 6:1, Paul follows up his earlier discussion by giving instructions about how believers can help those who are walking in the flesh, which in context would have included those who had bought into the false doctrine of the Judaizers in Galatia.

Paul’s reference to “you who are spiritual” (Gal. 6:1b) refers to Christians who are manifesting the fruit cited in Gal. 5:22–23. The exhortation here is for such believers to assist others in the church who are “overtaken in any trespass” (Gal. 6:1a). Paul writes that in this process, Christians must be aware of their own susceptibility to temptation. In providing help to one caught in sin, a believer is fulfilling the law of Christ to “love one’s neighbor as oneself” (Matt. 22:39). If a Christian thinks that either he needs no help from other believers, or that he can assist other believers apart from divine enablement, he is deceived (cf. Gal. 6:3). Rather, writes Paul, believers need to examine their own hearts and rejoice in God’s grace (cf. Gal. 6:4). It is only then that a Christian will be equipped to properly carry out his ministry, or as Paul says, “bear his own load” (Gal. 6:5).

Doing Good (6:6–10)

Gal. 6:6–10 contains several exhortations that each relate to doing good—that is, walking in the Spirit. Gal. 6:6 instructs believers to “share in all good things with him who teaches.” While this could refer to material provision for our pastors and other teachers, contextually, it more likely refers to hearers of Scripture conforming their lives to the example of those who teach them the Bible (cf. Gal. 4:12). Gal. 6:7–9 gives an important Bible principle, “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). If we sow to the flesh we will reap corruption, while if we sow to the spirit we will reap everlasting life. Since the harvest is not always immediately visible, we may become deceived or even lose heart, thus we need to remind ourselves of this truth. Moreover, we must do good to others within the church, for God’s people need encouragement (cf. Gal. 6:10).

Glorifying Christ (6:11–18)

Paul was likely using a secretary, called an amanuensis, to record his words and to write the letter of Galatians. In Gal. 6:11, which Paul apparently penned with his own hand, the apostle wrote, “See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!” One reason why Paul himself penned the last few verses of this letter may have been as a means of security, to verify to the Galatian Christians that this letter was authentic. In fact, Paul may have had to use large letters on account of his eye aliment with which the Galatian believers would have been familiar (cf. Gal. 4:15). Indeed, if Paul had to write in large letters due to poor eyesight, he may have been emphasizing to the church that he was weak in the flesh and, unlike the Judaizers, he was not looking to works of the flesh for salvation. Paul plainly declared in Gal. 6:14 that he would not boast in the flesh.

Just as Paul began his letter by wishing grace and peace upon the Galatian believers (cf. Gal. 1:3), so here in his conclusion the apostle wrote of grace, peace, and even mercy. A key phrase that Paul mentions in his closing words is when he refers to the Galatian believers as “the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:17). Although this phrase may seem unusual, it is very appropriate given Paul’s argument in this epistle. Whereas the Judaizers were arguing that men had to become practicing Jews in order to be saved, Paul had argued that “only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7) and that “if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). Note that elsewhere in his letters Paul would write, “He is a Jew who is one inwardly” (Rom. 2:29) and, “We are the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit” (Phil. 3:3).

Application Questions:

1. What steps can we take to minister to those in the church who have believed false doctrine and/or been deceived by false teachers?
2. What does Paul mean in writing, “Bear one another’s burdens . . . . Each one shall bear his own load” (Gal. 6:2, 5)?
3. Are you ever tempted to “lose heart” (Gal. 6:9) when it seems that the wicked go unpunished for their sins and believers’ good works seem to go unrewarded?
4. When those in the world look at your life, are they forced to conclude that your actions verify your faith?
5. In referring to the church as “the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:17) was Paul denying that there is a spiritual future for ethnic Israel (cf. Rom. 11:1–36)?