GALATIANS 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
NSB* - Probably recalls the sinful "works of the flesh" in 5:19-21. Overtaken means to be caught off guard, perhaps at a vulnerable point. A believer devastated by sin needs to be approached with gentleness (5:23) by fellow believers. Those not controlled by the Holy Spirit would tend to boast by comparing themselves to the fallen believer (vv.3,4). Even as a doctor can catch a disease by treating a patient, one who restores a fallen sinner can be tempted to fall into sin. That danger is well worth considering.
Brethren; Thayer denotes - 1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother 2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman 3) any fellow or man 4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection 5) an associate in employment or office 6) brethren in Christ 6a) his brothers by blood 6b) all men 6c) apostles 6d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place. Brother can mean a lot of things, but it is typically defined by the context. Here, Paul is addressing the believers in Galatia. The Greek word used here is ἀδελφός adelphos. Strong's G80.
Overtaken; "to anticipate" (pro, "before," lambano, "to take") is used of forestalling the less favored at a social meal, 1 Corinthians 11:21; of being "overtaken" in any trespass, Galatians 6:1, where the meaning is not that of detecting a person in the act, but of his being caught by the trespass, through his being off his guard (See Galatians 5:21 and contrast the premediated practice of evil in Galatians 5:26). The modern Greek version is "even if a man, through lack of circumspection, should fall into any sin." Dobson denotes - I take before, anticipate, am overtaken, I take before, anticipate; pass: I am caught or overtaken, taken by surprise. The Greek word used here is προλαμβάνω prolambanō. Strong's G4301, Vine's (def 2,2).
Definition References: 1 Corinthians 11:21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
Galatians 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Trespass; The KJV renders this "fault," which is a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression. Thayer expands - 1) to fall beside or near something 2) a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness 2a) a sin, misdeed. The Greek word used here is παράπτωμα paraptōma. Strong's G3900.
Restore; "to mend, to furnish completely," is translated "restore" in Galatians 6:1, metaphorically, of the "restoration," by those who are spiritual, of one overtaken in a trespass, such a one being as a dislocated member of the spiritual body. The tense is the continuous present, suggesting the necessity for patience and perseverance in the process. The Greek word for restore is καταρτίζω katartizō. Strong's G2675, Vine's (def 3).
Tempted; of temptations to sin, e.g., Galatians 6:1, where one who would restore an erring brother is not to act as his judge, but as being one with him in liability to sin, with the possibility of finding himself in similar circumstances. Strong's defines it as to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. Strong's G3985, Vine's (def A-1b).
Moving to Verse 2.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
NSB* - The Law Of Christ referred to here is probably the summation of the law: "Love your neighbor" (see 5:14). Matthew 22:39, John 13:34-35. The term fulfill suggests choosing to bear another Christian's burdens (or restore another Christian from burdensome sin, v.1) is precisely what Christ expects of all believers. The Greek word for burden refers to something beyond the normal capacity to carry, as opposed to a "load" (v.5), which is what a person could be expected to carry.
Note References: Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Bear; Thayer denotes - 1) to take up with the hands 2) to take up in order to carry or bear, to put upon one's self (something) to be carried 2a) to bear what is burdensome 3) to bear, to carry 3a) to carry on one's person 3b) to sustain, i.e. uphold, support 4) to bear away, carry off. In this instance, it has the idea of bearing "sufferings "borne" on behalf of others." The Greek word used here is βαστάζω bastazō. Strong's G941.
Burdens; a weight, burden, lit. or met. Something "that makes a demand on one's resources," whether material (to be burdensome), or spiritual. The Greek word is βάρος baros. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G922.
Fulfill; Dodson denotes - I fill up, make up, complete the measure of, fulfill, carry out the commands (provisions, etc.) of. Strong's defines it as, to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by coincidence ot obedience). The Greek word for fulfill used here is ἀναπληρόω anaplēroō. Strong's G378.
James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
Moving to Verse 3.
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
NSB* - Anyone who concludes that he is something special, through shortsighted self-comparison with those who seem to have fallen, truly deceives himself.
Think; Thayer denotes - 1) to be of opinion, think, suppose 2) to seem, to be accounted, reputed 3) it seems to me 3a) I think, judge: thus in question 3b) it seems good to, pleased me, I determined. The Greek word for think is δοκέω dokeō. Strong's G1380.
Deceives; to be a mind-misleader, i.e. delude. My Notes - in this context, it's deceiving your own mind, but this can apply to misleading anyone. The Greek word is phrenapataō phrenapataō. Strong's G5422.
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
Takeaways—
- As Christians, we need to be very gentle in how we treat new Christians or Christians who are facing the burden of sin.
- We also need to be aware of what we are running into when we go to help someone. This is about being aware of our own tendencies and what could possibly tempt us. There are tons of examples, but this is basically not running into a burning building if you are dosed with gasoline.
- Finally, presenting truth in love is one thing, but we ought not to revel in the burdens or challenges of others or think ourselves better than them. We are all in need of God's grace.
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