Galatians 6
6
Life in the Community of Christ.#The ethical exhortations begun at Gal 5:1 continue with a variety of admonitions to the community (brothers: see note on Gal 1:2). Nearly every sentence contains a separate item of practical advice; the faith and freedom of the gospel underlie each maxim. Tensions and temptation within communal life have previously been addressed in Gal 5:15, 26 and Gal 6:1 continues with a case in which a person is caught in some transgression such as those in Gal 5:19–21; cf. Gal 2:17. 1Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted.#Mt 18:15; Jas 5:19 / 1 Cor 10:12–13. 2Bear one another’s burdens,#Col 3:13 / 1 Cor 9:21. and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.#The law of Christ: cf. Rom 8:2; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 5:14. The principle of love for others is meant. To bear one another’s burdens is to “serve one another through love” (Gal 5:13). 3#1 Cor 3:18; 8:2; 2 Cor 12:11. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. 4#Self-examination is the cure for self-deception. Compare what you are with what you were before, and give the glory to God; cf. Rom 6:19–22. Load: used elsewhere of a soldier’s pack. Correcting one’s own conduct avoids burdening others with it. Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else; 5for each will bear his own load.#Rom 14:12.
6#1 Cor 9:14. One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor.#Implies oral instruction in the faith by catechists; these are to be remunerated for their service; cf. Rom 15:27. 7Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, 8because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.#Prv 11:18; Rom 8:6, 13. 9Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.#2 Thes 3:13; Heb 12:1–3. 10So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all,#1 Thes 5:15. but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.#The family of the faith: the Christian household or church. Doing good has a universal object (to all), but the local community makes specific the reality of those to be served.
VI. CONCLUSION
Final Appeal.#A postscript in Paul’s own hand, as was his practice (see 1 Cor 16:21; 2 Thes 3:17). Paul summarizes his appeal against his opponents (Gal 6:12–13), then returns to his message of glorying in the cross, not in circumcision, as the means of salvation (Gal 6:14–15; cf. Gal 5:11). A benediction follows at Gal 6:16. In the polemical spirit that the attack on his apostleship called forth (Gal 1:11–2:21), Paul reasserts his missionary credentials (Gal 6:17) before giving a final benediction (Gal 6:18). 11See with what large letters#Large letters: in contrast to the finer hand of the scribe who wrote the letter up to this point. The larger Greek letters make Paul’s message even more emphatic. Some find a hint of poor eyesight on Paul’s part. See note on Gal 4:13. I am writing to you in my own hand!#1 Cor 16:21. 12#The Jewish Christian opponents wished not to be persecuted, possibly by Jews. But since Judaism seems to have had a privileged status as a religion in the Roman empire, circumcised Christians might, if taken as Jews, thereby avoid persecution from the Romans. In any case, Paul instead stresses conformity with the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; cf. Gal 2:19–21; 5:11. It is those who want to make a good appearance in the flesh who are trying to compel you to have yourselves circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.#5:2, 11. 13Not even those having themselves circumcised#Those having themselves circumcised: other manuscripts read, “those who have had themselves circumcised.” observe the law themselves; they only want you to be circumcised so that they may boast of your flesh. 14But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which#Through which: or “through whom.” the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.#2:20; 1 Cor 2:2. 15For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,#5:6; 1 Cor 7:19 / 2 Cor 5:17. but only a new creation.#New creation: or “new creature”; cf. 2 Cor 5:17. 16Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule#This rule: the principle in Gal 6:14–15. The Israel of God: while the church may be meant (the phrase can be translated “to all who follow this rule, even the Israel of God”; cf. Gal 6:10; 1 Cor 10:18), the reference may also be to God’s ancient people, Israel; cf. Ps 125:5; 128:6. and to the Israel of God.#Ps 125:5; 128:6.
17From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus#The marks of Jesus: slaves were often branded by marks (stigmata) burned into their flesh to show to whom they belonged; so also were devotees of pagan gods. Paul implies that instead of outdated circumcision, his body bears the scars of his apostolic labors (2 Cor 11:22–31), such as floggings (Acts 16:22; 2 Cor 11:25) and stonings (Acts 14:19), that mark him as belonging to the Christ who suffered (cf. Rom 6:3; 2 Cor 4:10; Col 1:24) and will protect his own. on my body.#2 Cor 4:10.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.#Phil 4:23; 2 Tm 4:22; Phlm 25.
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