Galatians 6

Galatians 6:1-10

This chapter chiefly confits of two parts: In the former the apostle gives us several plain and practical directions, which were especially used to spitfall Christians in their duty to one another, and to promote the communion of Saints in love, from ver. 1. to ver. 10. In the latter he reviews the main design of the epistle, which was to fortify the Galatians against the acts of their jealousy, confers, and confirm them in the truth and liberty of the gospel: To which purpose he, 1. Gives them the true character of these teachers, and shews them from what motives, and with what views they acted, from ver. 10. to ver. 14. And, 2. On the other hand he acquaints them with his own temper and behaviour; from both which they might easily see how little reason they had to flight him, and to fall in with them. And then he concludes the epistle with a solemn benediction.

1. BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2. Beat ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4. But let every man prove 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, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for what’s never a man soweth, that shall be also reap. 8. For he that soweth to the 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 well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

As he had so warmly recommended to them that love, which would engage them to serve one another, he passes on to the exercise of it in several instances.

1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, through surprise, temptation, and human frailty, ye which are spiritual, and strong in the grace which is in Jesus Christ, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, with all the tenderness that an able surgeon handles a dislocated joint, in order to reduce it; using, not rough reproaches, but tender expostulations; confining himself, as no man is secure, let him also be tempted, and hitherto to fall, so punish the undue severity you may have used towards others, and justly to smart under the same scourge. Note. (1.) A sense of our own weakness will make us compassionate towards an offending brother. (2.) Peculiar tenderness is needful, when the soul is already vexed and grieved by sin, and we drive those to despair, whom we should lead to repentance. (3.) Angry reproach, however great the provocation may be, never can do good.

2. Bear ye one another’s burdens, sympathizing with the afflicted; patient with the infirmities of the weak; and deference to alleviate every grief, under which your brethren groan, by your prayers, your counsel, or your substance; and is full of the law of Christ, that law of love, which he hath taught both by precept and example.

3. In humility, every man should watch over, and examine himself. For if a man think himself to be something extraordinary, and self-sufficient to withstand every temptation, when in lust he is nothing, and hath no strength of his own, he deceives his own self, as he will find, by dire experience, when he comes to be tried. But let every man prove his own work, examining into his principles and practice according to the gospel rule, and then, if he finds a happy correspondence between them, shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another; he will exult in the blessed testimony of the spirit and his own conscience, describing to the grace of God what hath been wrongful in him; and will seek no glory from human applause, nor desire to rake up other’s faults as a fool to set off his own excellencies; fastened if God in Christ Jesus accepts and approves his services. For every man shall bear his own burden, and stand or fall, not according to the opinion he hath entertained of himself, or that others form of him, but according to the decision of the eternal judge. Note. (1.) A high opinion of ourselves ever argues great ignorance of our own hearts. (2.) The testimony of a good conscience is matter of solid satisfaction. (3.) Though we know nothing declarably evil in ourselves, we must remember he that judgment in this Lord, who sees many evils, which we through blindness overlook; and therefore it becomes us ever to be humble before him.

4. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things, contributing liberally and clearly to the support of a gospel ministry, for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Be not deceived by your deducing teachers, who would engross your regard, nor by the covetousness of your own hearts, that would divert you from this or any other influence of liberality; God is not to be marked by vain pretenses; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap, according to his work will be his wages. For he that soweth to the flesh, making provision for it to fulfil the faith thereof, or immediately anxious to board up worldly wealth, to the defrauding of God’s altar or the poor, such a man shall of the flesh reap corruption; his perishing acquisitions will soon be shed, and endless misery succeed: but he that soweth to the Spirit, in every instance of bounty and benevolence, under the Spirit’s guidance, laying out himself, his time, his talents, for the glory of Christ, and the good of his people, shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life, and in eternity receive the blessed recompense of his deeds. And let us not be weary of well-doing, though we may not see all the happy effects we expected, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Nothing can be lost which is employed in God’s service; though like the seed under the clod it may seem to be buried for a while, it will surely spring up and afford a plenteous increase, often in this world, and always in a better.

5. This is the day for labour, therefore we should diligently improve it. And as we have opportunity, let us, according to our abilities, do good unto all men, with liberal hearts, and open hands, not restraining our charity to any party or nation, though especially exercising it unto them who are of the household of faith, for whom we are bound particularly to interest ourselves, by peculiar ties of love and duty, as children of the same family, and heirs of the same inheritance.

6. Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the

7. He lays down the essential point of true Christianity. For in Christ Jesus, with regard to the salvation which is in him, neither circumcision available any thing, our uncircumcision; the one is no advantage, the other no obstruction; but that which must prove our interest in Christ, and that we are partakers of the grace of God in truth, is our becoming a new creature, having our principles, tempers, and conduct, cast into the mold of the gospel, through the mighty energy of faith which worketh by love.

8. He offers up his prayers for those who held fast the truth. As many as walk according to this rule, laid down in this epistle, with regard to justification by faith, and the new creature, without respect to circumcision or uncircumcision, make he upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God; may they enjoy peace with God and in their own consciences, and every divine mercy which is purchased by the crucified Jesus for his redeemed people, who, whether Jews or Gentiles, are God’s spiritual Israel.

9. He with authority enjoins them to give him no farther trouble on this point, but to submit to his apostolic warnings and reproofs. From henceforth let no man trouble me with farther disputes and contentions, or with injurious reproaches, as tho’ I had ever countenanced the doctrine of these judaizing teachers; the contrary of which is most evident: I have ever opposed them, and severely suffered for it; for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus, the scars of the wounds and stripes endured for his sake, the signs of my conformity to him, and of my adherence to the offensive doctrines of his cross, and particularly of justification by faith alone. Note, It is a proof we believe the doctrines we preach, when we dare boldly suffer for them, and can produce the glorious scars received in the service of the Captain of our salvation.

10. He concludes with his usual benediction. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen! The treatment he had received from them did not quench his love towards them. Earnest to promote their salvation, he prays that they may experience the inestimably precious love of a dying Redeemer, and partake of all the invaluable privileges which he freely bellows on his chosen, even pardon, peace, comfort, holiness, and eternal life.

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