Restore and bear burdens (6:1–5)
Says If someone is “caught in a trespass”, “you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness”. The verb is προλημφθῇ (prolēmphthē, “he should be overtaken”); the BSB has “caught.” The command to restore is καταρτίζετε (see καταρτίζω). “watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (σκοπῶν σεαυτόν, singular). See Caught in a trespass, and restore (6:1).
Uncertain Whom “you who are spiritual” names is open. Burton, on 6:1, writes of “live by the Spirit, walk by the Spirit” Lightfoot, on 6:1, writes, “ye who would indeed be guided by the Spirit.” These are their readings; no verdict is given.
Says “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. SBLGNT prints the future ἀναπληρώσετε; WH, RP, and the TR print the aorist imperative ἀναπληρώσατε (see ἀναπληρώσετε / ἀναπληρώσατε). See The law of Christ (6:2) and Burdens and load (6:2–5). “For each one should carry his own load” (φορτίον; 6:2 has βάρη).
Implies A brother caught in a trespass is to be restored with gentleness, and believers are to carry one another’s burdens.
Uncertain When the load of 6:5 is borne is open. Luther, on 6:5, writes, “thou shalt stand before the judgment-seat of Christ” Wesley, on 6:5, writes, “in that day” Calvin, on 6:5, writes of “the judgment of God” Chrysostom, on 6:5, more guardedly, writes of “a burden, and of being heavily laden” Burton, on 6:5, writes of “weakness and sin” Lightfoot, on 6:5, writes of “responsibilities imposed on him individually” These are their readings; no verdict is given.
Claims
- SaysIf someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness, watching yourself lest you also be tempted; they are to carry one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ; each should carry his own load.
- ImpliesA brother caught in a trespass is to be restored with gentleness, and believers are to carry one another’s burdens; the one who restores is also told to watch himself.
- UncertainBurton and Lightfoot take “you who are spiritual” as those who live and walk by the Spirit; Luther, Wesley, and Calvin take 6:5 as final-judgment accountability, while Chrysostom, more guardedly, Burton, and Lightfoot take it as a present duty or load; no lean is taken.
Citations
- BSB public domain Gal 6:1–5
- SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Gal 6:1–5
- Burton, Galatians (ICC) public domain Burton, Galatians (ICC, Scribner 1928 printing of the 1920 edition), on Gal 6:1, 6:5, p. 327 (leaf n420), p. 334 (leaf n427); checked against the printed page (scan); quoted, otherwise paraphrased
- Lightfoot, Galatians public domain Lightfoot, Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (Macmillan, 1914 printing), on Gal 6:1, 6:5, p. 215 (leaf n234), p. 217 (leaf n236); checked against the printed page (scan); quoted, otherwise paraphrased
- Luther, Galatians (Middleton 1833) public domain Luther, A Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (London, 1833), on Gal 6:5, p. 457 (leaf n563); checked against the printed page (scan); quoted, otherwise paraphrased
- Wesley, Notes NT (1755) public domain Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755), on Gal 6:1, 6:5, p. 505 (leaf n518); checked against the printed page (scan); quoted, otherwise paraphrased
- Calvin, Galatians (Pringle) public domain Calvin, Commentaries on Galatians and Ephesians (Pringle, CTS 1854), on Gal 6:1, 6:5, p. 175 (leaf n188); checked against the printed page (scan); quoted, otherwise paraphrased
- Chrysostom, Galatians (NPNF1 13) public domain Chrysostom, Commentary on Galatians (NPNF¹ 13, Oxford translation rev. Gross Alexander, 1889), on Gal 6:5, p. 44 (leaf n65); checked against the printed page (scan); quoted, otherwise paraphrased
2026-11-14
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