Galatians 6
6
Support One Another
1 Brothers and sisters,#tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11. if a person#tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women. is discovered in some sin,#tn Or “some transgression” (L&N 88.297). you who are spiritual#sn Who are spiritual refers to people who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit. restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.#tn Or “with a gentle spirit” or “gently.” Pay close attention#tn Grk “taking careful notice.” to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine#tn Or “determine the genuineness of.” his own work. Then he can take pride#tn Grk “he will have a reason for boasting.” in himself and not compare himself with#tn Or “and not in regard to.” The idea of comparison is implied in the context. someone else. 5 For each one will carry#tn Or perhaps, “each one must carry.” A number of modern translations treat βαστάσει (bastasei) as an imperatival future. his own load.
6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches#tn Or “instructs,” “imparts.” it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool.#tn Or “is not mocked,” “will not be ridiculed” (L&N 33.409). BDAG 660 s.v. μυκτηρίζω has “of God οὐ μ. he is not to be mocked, treated w. contempt, perh. outwitted Gal 6:7.” For a person#tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women. will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh#tn BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24;…Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.” will reap corruption#tn Or “destruction.” from the flesh,#tn See the note on the previous occurrence of the word “flesh” in this verse. but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary#tn Or “not become discouraged,” “not lose heart” (L&N 25.288). in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.#tn Or “if we do not become extremely weary,” “if we do not give out,” “if we do not faint from exhaustion” (L&N 23.79). 10 So then,#tn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what Paul has been arguing. whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.#tn Grk “to those who are members of the family of [the] faith.”
Final Instructions and Benediction
11 See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters#tn Grk “in the flesh.” L&N 88.236 translates the phrase “those who force you to be circumcised are those who wish to make a good showing in external matters.” are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so#tn Grk “to be circumcised, only.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started with the words “They do so,” which were supplied to make a complete English sentence. only to avoid being persecuted#tc ‡ Grk “so that they will not be persecuted.” The indicative after ἵνα μή (Jina mh) is unusual (though not unexampled elsewhere in the NT), making it the harder reading. The evidence is fairly evenly split between the indicative διώκονται (diwkontai; Ì46 A C F G K L P 0278 6 81 104 326 629 1175 1505 pm) and the subjunctive διώκωνται (diwkwntai; א B D Ψ 33 365 1739 pm), with a slight preference for the subjunctive. However, since scribes would tend to change the indicative to a subjunctive due to syntactical requirements, the internal evidence is decidedly on the side of the indicative, suggesting that it is original. for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.#tn Or “boast about you in external matters,” “in the outward rite” (cf. v. 12). 14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which#tn Or perhaps, “through whom,” referring to the Lord Jesus Christ rather than the cross. the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For#tc The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is found after “For” in some mss (א A C D F G 0278 1881 Ï lat bo), but lacking in Ì46 B Ψ 33 1175 1505 1739* and several fathers. The longer reading probably represents a harmonization to Gal 5:6. neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for#tn Grk “is.” anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation!#tn Grk “but a new creation”; the words “the only thing that matters” have been supplied to reflect the implied contrast with the previous clause (see also Gal 5:6). 16 And all who will behave#tn The same Greek verb, στοιχέω (stoicew), occurs in Gal 5:25. in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.#tn The word “and” (καί) can be interpreted in two ways: (1) It could be rendered as “also” which would indicate that two distinct groups are in view, namely “all who will behave in accordance with this rule” and “the Israel of God.” Or (2) it could be rendered “even,” which would indicate that “all who behave in accordance with this rule” are “the Israel of God.” In other words, in this latter view, “even” = “that is.”
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.#tn Paul is probably referring to scars from wounds received in the service of Jesus, although the term στίγμα (stigma) may imply ownership and suggest these scars served as brands (L&N 8.55; 33.481; 90.84).
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be#tn Or “is.” No verb is stated, but a wish (“be”) rather than a declarative statement (“is”) is most likely in a concluding greeting such as this. with your spirit, brothers and sisters.#tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11. Amen.
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Galatians 6
6
Bear One Another's Burdens
1My brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. 2Help to carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey#6.2 you will obey; some manuscripts have obey. the law of Christ. 3If someone thinks he or she is somebody when really they are nobody, they are only deceiving themselves. 4You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. 5For we each have our own load to carry.
6Those who are being taught the Christian message should share all the good things they have with their teachers.
7Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. People will reap exactly what they sow. 8If they sow in the field of their natural desires, from it they will gather the harvest of death; if they sow in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit they will gather the harvest of eternal life. 9So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. 10So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.
Final Warning and Greeting
11See what big letters I make as I write to you now with my own hand! 12The people who are trying to force you to be circumcised are the ones who want to show off and boast about external matters. They do it, however, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Even those who practise circumcision do not obey the Law; they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast that you submitted to this physical ceremony. 14As for me, however, I will boast only about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; for by means of his cross the world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world. 15It does not matter at all whether or not one is circumcised; what does matter is being a new creature. 16As for those who follow this rule in their lives, may peace and mercy be with them — with them and with all God's people!
17To conclude: let no one give me any more trouble, because the scars I have on my body show that I am the slave of Jesus.
18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my brothers and sisters. Amen.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.