Galatians 6:1-6
 
Gal 6:1 (KJB)
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.
 
Overtaken - Carries with it the idea of falling into error or a transgression which surprises the Christian at the result
Fault - Offense, misdeed, or trespass
Restore - Repair or make complete
Meekness - Gentleness
 
Paul is now giving some principles of restoration to the Galatians. He has in view here a person who may have stumbled or was deceived into something and the outcome of that decision had an unexpected result. Paul is stating here that those others who are saved should help restore this person to spiritual health. This must be done in the spirit of meekness and not a harsh spirit. This is because that person who was deceived could be us. There were probably many in Galatia who were overtaken in the deceptions by the false teachers and their spiritual restoration needed to take place and it would have been no good to treat these people critically. This is why Paul is basically saying that each of us can be tempted and carried away while we are still in this flesh. We need to be gentle with Christians who inadvertently fall into a sin. Paul does not have in view here those who are willfully sinning but those who fall into a sin.
 
Gal 6:2 (KJB)
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
 
Bear ye - Pick up, lift up, or sustain a heavy burden
Burdens - Weight or load
 
The words “bear ye” in the Greek is in the imperative mood which means that we are commanded to come to the aid of those who are weaker in the faith. The idea is that Christ came to earth to take the great burden of sin from His children and we are to emulate that principle by helping bear the heavy burdens of those who are weaker in the faith. The law of Christ is the law of love which helps connect us to others in the body of Christ. This law of love was a distinguishing characteristic of Christ in contrast to the Scribes, Pharisees and Lawyers who would only lay heavier burdens on people when they themselves wouldn’t even do what they preached. (Luke 11:46 KJV) And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
 
Gal 6:3 (KJB)
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
 
There are those in every congregation who think they are impervious to falling into sin and these people will always think they are something but the reality is when we begin to think prideful about ourselves, we become the most vulnerable to sin. This is because we deceive ourselves into thinking we are very strong in the faith when in reality we are no different than any other Christian who still resides in a body of flesh. Those who exude spiritual pride will not be able show understanding to those who have fallen into sin because of their superior attitude. Those who live with spiritual pride have already fallen into sin and will have to be brought down. I like the principle found in Obadiah 4. (Oba 1:4 KJV) Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. The eagle has been spotted at 20,000 feet (6096 meters) and the stars are millions of light years away and the Lord is stating that no matter how high you make yourself, God is higher and will bring you down to where you belong.
 
Gal 6:4 (KJB)
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself
 
alone, and not in another.
Prove - Test or examine
 
Here Paul is stating that everyone needs to examine themselves and to do it impartially so when you have a true analysis of your strengths and your weaknesses, you will be able to rejoice because there will be no disappointments in your Christian walk. If you know truly, the area that God has empowered you for Christian work, you will be able to work within the parameters which God has set up in your life. On the other hand, if you know your weaknesses, then you will be able to plan your life accordingly by avoiding those things which may cause you to stumble. This way you do not depend on others for happiness when you know your own strengths and weaknesses. You can be happy with another but not because of another.
 
Gal 6:5 (KJB)
For every man shall bear his own burden.
 
Bear - Pick up, lift up, or sustain
Burden - Heavy burden, obligation or duty
 
Paul here uses a word for “burden” which can mean “the cargo of a ship.” (Acts 27:10 KJV) And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. The word “lading” is a cognate of “burden” in Galatians 6:5 and carries with it the meaning of “cargo, load, or freight.” So the Bible is teaching us here that every Christian has a responsibility in this world and we are to bear that responsibility and not allow it to be borne by another. The burdens of the Christian life may become heavy in our life but God is there to sustain us. I believe this is what the Lord had in mind when He spoke about going the extra mile. (Mat 5:41 KJV) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Sometimes the burden of the Christian walk compels us to go that extra mile and it is when we go that extra mile is when we see the great blessings God has for us in store. There is an old saying that 10% of the Christians do 90% of the work. Do you know anyone in that first 10%? How about in the last 90%? Which group are you in?
 
Gall 6:6 (KJB)
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
 
Communicate - Share, partake, or participate
 
Here Paul is stating that those who receive the benefits of the truth from a Bible teacher should share things with that Bible teacher. This may mean giving money to their ministry so it can continue. This verse is probably focused more on spiritual things. Those who are learning should share with those who teach and also with the rest of the body of Christ. As we learn the word, we take what we learn and share it with others, so they may grow. One person learns a spiritual truth here, and another there, and when they are shared, two spiritual truths are now brought to the body of Christ. In the day of apostasy that we live in, when one finds a good ministry or Bible teacher, do your part to keep it going because the false teachers are well funded and there needs to be truth to combat the false.

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