Galatians 6

1 The Apostle further exhorts the Galatians to divers Christian virtues, namely, to meekness reproving of those who sin out of weakness, 2. To mutual forbearance, 3. to examination and lowly opinion of themselves, 6. to maintaining of their Teachers, 7. to take heed what they sow, 9. and to liberality towards the poor, especially those that are faithful. 11. Afterwards he concludes the Epistle, showing how he loves and esteems them, 12. and warning them of the false Apostles, whose ambition and hypocrisy he describes, 14. and opposeth his own example thereunto. 15. Teacheth briefly wherein true Christianity consists: and what the same hath to expect. 17. Admonisheth that no man be further troublesome unto him, 18. and endeth with the usual salutation.

1. Brethren if also a man were overtaken [Or prevented, surprised, namely, out of improvidence or weakness, not out of willful purpose] by [Gr. In] any mis-deed, [namely, whereby he hath offended you or others] ye that are spiritual [that is who are enlightened by God, and endued with fitness to be able to admonisheth others, See 1 Cor. 3.1.] bring such one to the right [namely, by good instruction and admonishing. The Greek word signifies properly to make whole, to perfect, to supply the want, or to restore anything, see Matthew 4:21.] with the spirit of meekness, [Gr. In the spirit] considering your selves, [that is, minding your own infirmities, how easily ye also might thereby be overtaken with the like sins that ye also be tempted. [that is, by the temptations of the Devil and the flesh be not brought to the like sins.]

2. Bear [That is, help to bear, bear with, amend, and remove them with Christian moderation and compassion] one another’s burden: [that is, infirmities, defects, which lie as an heavy burden upon men] and so fulfill [that is, satisfy, accomplish, observe] the law of Christ, [namely, of loving another, John 13:34,35. which although it be also written by Moses, Leviticus 19:18. yet it is especially called the Law of Christ, because he mostly strictly enjoyed the Same to his Disciples, as well by exhortation as by his example, John 15:12. 1 John 3:16.]

3. Foe if any one thinketh that he is any thing, [That is, thinketh that he is some great, holy, or special thing, esteemeth much of himself, and thinketh that he is better than his neighbor. From whence it commonly springs that men so severely reprove the failings of their neighbor] whereas he is nothing, [that is, whereas he hath nothing good of himself: and all that he hath, hath received of God, 1 Cor. 4.7. 2 Cor. 3.5.] he deceiveth himself in (his own) mind. [that is, foolishly makes himself believe that which is not so.]

4. But let every one prove [That is, examine and look to, not according to his own pleasure, but according to the rule and touch-stone of Gods Law] his own work, [that is, his own actions and dealings: not so much the action of others] and then [namely, when he finds that his actions are agreeable to the Law of God] shall he have glorying [that is, shall be able to glory with a good conscience, not of his own worthiness or merits, Romans 3:27. 1 Cor. 1.29,31. but that he walks uprightly before God according to his Law, 1 Cor. 9.15. 2 Cor. 1.12.] in himself only, that is, in his own good walking, and in his own conscience] and not in another. [That is, not comparing himself with others, whom he thinketh not to be as good as he, as the Pharisees did, Luke 18:11.]

5. Foe every one shall bear his own burden, [That is, gives an account unto God of his own works and be judged according to his own actions.]

6. And he that is instructed [The Greek catechumens signifies indeed one that is instructed in the first principles of Religion, but here is taken more largely for all kinds of hearers, who by the preaching of Gods word are instructed in the Christian Religion, of what state so ever they be] in the word [namely, of God] let him impart [that is, let him also give his part for the maintenance of the Teachers] of all good [Gr. In all goods, i.e. liberally that the Teachers may so much the better without hindrance bestow all their time in the administration of their office] to him that instructeth (him) [Gr. Catechizeth, as before.]

7. Do not ere: [That is, do not vainly imagine and delude your selves, nor suffer your selves to be abused] God endures not to be mocked: [Gr. God is not mocked, namely, with vain pretences and evasions, which many use for not obeying Gods commands, seeing he doth not accepts evasions, neither let them go unpunished] for whatsoever a man soweth, [that is, hath bestowed as well upon the Teachers, wherefore is spoken before, as to the poor wherefore he speaks in that which follloweth. A similitude whereby the abundant fruit of communicativeness is set forth. As out of one grain that is, sown, oftentimes an hundred grow up and are gathered in again, Gen, 26.12. see of the same 2 Cor. 9.6.] that he shall also reap.

8. For he that soweth in his own flesh, [that is, that bestoweth his goods only to live voluptuously thereof, or to gather treasures for himself, and doth not think of maintaining the ministers, and the poor] shall of the flesh [that is, of this abuse of his goods, which are bestowed only on his flesh] reap [that is, from thence he shall obtain recompense and fruit] corruption; [namely, temporal and eternal] but he that soweth in the Spirit [that is, he that bestoweth his goods about spiritual things, thereby to further Gods glory, and mens salvation, and to do good to the poor] shall of the spirit that is, forasmuch as he hath bestowed his goods about spiritual things] reap life everlasting. [that is, not only here in this life receive temporal blessings; but also hereafter eternal happiness, as a fruit of liberality, not of merit but of grace. See Mat. 25.v.34,35. &c.]

9. By doing good, [That is, shewing forth liberality] let us not grow slack, [the Greek signifieth by evil means to grow remiss in good: as many times it happens about the matter in hand; because the multitude of the poor is great, and almost among them oftentimes there are many unworthy and many unthankful persons; and because the time of recompense comes not presently] for in its due time [that is, although the time recompense be deferred, as there is time between sowing and reaping, yet nevertheless the same shall certainly come] we shall reap [see v.8.] if we grow not remis. [Gr. Be not dissolved, or loosened.]

10. So then, while we have time [Namely, to sow, i.e. to do good to the poor: which must be done in the time of this life which is short and uncertain] let us do good [Gr. Work good, i.e. shew forth liberality] to all [namely, poor or other who have need of our help and assistance. See Luke 10:36,37.] but most of all to those of the household of Faith. [that is, to believing Christians, who together with us are members of the Church, which is the house of the living God, 1 Tim. 3.15. To these we are more obliged, and it would be unfitting that they that belong to one house should let one another suffer hunger and want.]

11. See [Or ye see] how great an Epistle I have written to you [or with how many words, or writings] with mine own hand [that is, without causing it to be written by hand of another, as indeed he did, Romans 16:22.] and only subscribed his name with salutation, 1 Cor. 16.21. Colossians 4:18. Thereby he shews therefore how greatly he esteems the Galatians; and this he did that the false apostles should not say that it was not Paul's Epistle, and should bring forth another Epistle instead of it, as if it were written by him, as they indeed useth to do, 2 Thes. 2.2.]

12. All those that will make a fair shew [Or be much respected. He understands here the false Apostles] according to the flesh [Gr. In the flesh, i.e. by the observing of the outward and corporal ceremonies] they constrain you to be circumcised, only that they might not be persecuted [namely, by the Jews, as we are daily most persecuted by them, because we teach that the Law of Moses is fulfilled and abrogated by Christ] because of the cross of Christ. [that is, for the doctrine of Christ, which is so called, because the sum and contents of the same is, the life is procured for us by the cross of Christ, 1 Cor. 2.2.]

13. For they themselves also who are circumcised [Namely, and so strongly urge circumcision as yet necessary to salvation] keep not the Law: [namely, in the other points, which are also commanded in the Law, but lead an irregular and hypocritical life] but they will have you to be circumcised, that they might glory in your flesh. [that is, that they may get many adherents among you, and vainly thereof boast to the Jews.]

14. But far be it from me that I should glory otherwise then in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. [That is, in the orthodox doctrine of Christ crucified for us, 1 Cor. 2.2.] by which [namely, cross of Christ. Or Christ crucified: the sense comes all in one] the world [that is, honor with men] is crucified to me, [that is, despised and rejected by me] and I unto the world [namely, while I for the doctrine of Christ am despised, persecuted, and cast off by the world, 1 Cor. 4.12.13.]

15. For in Christ Jesus, [That is, in the Kingdome and church of Christ, or according to the doctrine of Christ. See Galatians 5:6.] neither hath circumcision any virtue, nor uncircumcision, [namely, by circumcision to obtain eternal life, or by uncurmcision to be hindred from obtaining the same] but a new creature, whereby is understood regeneration and renewing of a man by the Holy Ghost. See 2 Cor. 5.17.]

16. And as many as shall walk according to this rule, [That is, according to this doctrine which I have propounded and declared in this Epistle, or mans justification before God, or Christian liberty, and of Christian conversation] upon them (shall be) [or be] peace, [that is, all manner of spiritual blessings, and especially reconciliation with God and assurance hereof in their minds by the Holy Ghost, Romans 5:1.] and mercy namely, of God, which is the fountain from whence mans reconciliation and salvation flows] and upon the Israel of God. [that is, upon all true believers, who are true Israelites, and so acknowledged by God, which he adds to distinguish them from the Israelites according to the flesh. See Romans 2:28,29. and 9.6. &c.]

17. Henceforward let no man trouble me, [Namely, of these false Apostles, this he speaketh with an Apostolic authority to restrain their further willfulness] For I bear the makes of the Lord Jesus [namely, of the stripes, bands and wounds which I have received for the sake of Christ and his doctrine. Hereby he would shew that he feared no persecution, even as the false Apostles did. See 2 Cor. 11.23, etc.] in any body.

18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [This is a salutation and wish, with which the apostle concludes his Epistles, as he testifueth himself, 2 Thes. 3.17. see also Rom. 16.24. 1 Corinthians 16:23 2 Cor. 13.13.] be with your spirit [that is, soul, mind] brethren. Amen