Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

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THE LETTER TO THE GALATIANS

CHAPTER SIX:
“SOWING AND REAPING”

[“Israel’s Rule”]
Key Word: Reap
Theme Verse: 16

Galatians 6:1-5 – Carry the Burdens of One Another

GA6:1 Brothers, if anyone is overcome by some mistake 190 those who are spiritual 191 should gently and meekly readjust such a person. 192 However, watch yourselves so you are never tempted.
190 Some mistake: Or, in a fault, act of doing wrong, detected in some sin. The Greek is PARAPTOMATI, or “fall beside,” a false step. Not the breaking of a commandment in the Law of Moses.
191 You who are spiritual: Or, endowed with the Spirit [NEB]. Possibly referring to the appointed elders, or those somehow spiritually gifted. All Christians are responsible for one another.
192 Readjust such a person: Or, correct him [BAR], restore [KJV], set him right [WMS], set him back on the right path [PME]. The Nazarene counsels private rebuke to save a brother or sister. [Matthew 18:15-18] The word “readjust” is from the Greek KATARTIZETE [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2675, render sound, equip] and is used of the gentle setting of a broken bone. Rather than judge and criticize efforts should be directed in recovery.
GA6:2 Continue to carry the heavy burdens 193 of one another and in this manner fulfill Christ’s Law. 194
193 Carry the heavy burdens: Or, bear the burdens of one another’s failings [KNX], help one another to carry these heavy loads [NEB].
194 Christ’s Law: That is, the only law of love and faith. [Romans 15:1; 2 Corinthians 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; John 13:34; 15:12; 1 John 4:21]
GA6:3 For if anyone is thinking they are something 195 - when in fact they are nothing – they deceive their own mind.
195 If any one thinks he is something: Or, WEY: thinks him to be somebody; NOR: something big; TAY: too great to stoop; BAR: a good opinion of himself. Likely a reference to those troublesome Christian Judaizers.
GA6:4 Let each one of you make a personal examination of your own actions, 196 then you will be able to boast about yourself and not someone else. 197
196 Examination of your own actions: Or, KJV: prove his own work; MOF: bring his own work to the test; KNX: examine his own conduct; PME: assess properly the value of his own work. Compare 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5; James 1:22-25.
197 Someone else: As the Christian Judaizers did in circumcision. This is the work of the self-righteous, always judging others but never themselves. [Matthew 7:1-5]
GA6:5 For each individual will carry the burden of their own responsibility. 198
198 Their own responsibility: Or, MOF: bear his own load of responsibility; PME: shoulder his own pack.

Review Questions

  • How should the “spiritual” help others? (Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 2:15)
  • How can we fulfill Christ’s “law”? (John 13:34; Romans 15:1)
  • What should come before boasting? (2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 5:26)
  • Who will bear our “load”? (Romans 14:4)

Galatians 6:6-10 – We Reap as We Sow

GA6:6 Additionally, let those who are being orally instructed in the Word share materially 199 with the one giving such instruction.
199 Share materially: Or, CON: let him who is receiving instruction in the Word give to his instructor a share in all the good things he possess; PME: the man under Christian instruction should be willing to contribute toward the livelihood of his teacher; BAR: he should share with his teacher all the good things he has. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 9:6ff in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.
GA6:7 Never be misled, for God is not One to be mocked, because the person who sows will reap what is planted. 200
200 Reap what is planted: Likely a reference to the previous statement regarding materially assisting the Christian teacher. There is a principle here of material sowing with spiritual reaping. There is an example of Paul in Corinth: there the church did not assist him so he returned to his tent-making trade for six months. As a result, Corinth, because of its failure to sow material, did not reap spiritually from Paul during that period. [Acts 18:1ff]
GA6:8 For the person who sows in a fleshly manner 201 will reap corruption. However, the person sowing spiritually 202 will reap ageless Life from the Pneuma.
201 Sows in a fleshly manner: Following the context this seems to refer to those who refuse to materially assist Christian teachers. Compare the “evil eye” at Matthew 6:22, 23. Charity and hospitality are among the most powerful evidences of Christian love. The goats of Matthew 25:31-46 “sow in a fleshly manner” thinking only of themselves. Compare the “orders” to be given to the rich at 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
202 Sowing spiritually: That is, materially aiding Christian teachers.
GA6:9 So let us never quit in doing good 203 because in due season we will reap if we never get tired. 204
203 Never quit in doing good: The “good” here, as elsewhere in the Bible, is Christian charity given to Christian teachers.
204 We never get tired: That is in doing good to Christian teachers.
GA6:10 Therefore, as long as the season is right, let each of us continue working good toward everyone, 205 but mostly to the household members of the Faith. 206
205 Let us do good to all men: Compare the Nazarene at Luke 6:30-35 and the Nazarene Commentary© on Matthew 5:43-48.
206 Household members of the Faith: Paul has in mind particularly the Christian teachers. [Compare 1 Timothy 5:17, 18] Compare the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46. [See notes on James 2:14-17 and 1 John 3:13-18 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©]

Review Questions

  • How should teachers be treated? (Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:6, 14)
  • What does this have to do with sowing and reaping? (2 Corinthians 8:4, 12; 9:7, 10)
  • In what should we not tire out? (Hebrews 13:16; 3 John 6-8)
  • To whom should we do good? (Matthew 25:40)

Galatians 6:11-16 – New Israel’s Rule

GA6:11 (Notice these large letters I write with my own hand!) GA6:12 Those who want to make a good appearance in the flesh 207 are the ones trying to force you to accept circumcision. They only do this so that they will not be persecuted for the stake 208 of Christ Jesus.
207 Good appearance in the flesh: The Christian Judaizers. [Acts 15:1]
208 Persecuted for the stake: From the Jewish persecutors.
GA6:13 For even those who practice circumcision do not observe the Law 209 [of Moses] themselves! But rather they only want you all to be circumcised so that they can brag over your flesh! 210
209 Do not observe the Law: Here is the fundamental truth regarding those who insist all Christians must observe all the Law of Moses – they do not do it! They are like the Pharisees. [Matthew 23:3]
210 Brag over your flesh: As converts to the Law of Moses, particularly those who get circumcised.
GA6:14 In my case may it never happen that I boast in anything else but the stake of our Master Jesus Christ by whom the world has been impaled and I to the world. 211
211 The world has been impaled: Particularly the Jewish world with its Mosaic Law and religious ceremonies. Compare notes on Romans 6:1-6.
GA6:15 For circumcision is nothing, and neither is uncircumcision, however a new creation [is]. 212
212 But a new creation: Or, KJV: new creature; TCN: a new nature is everything; PME: the power of a new birth; TAY: changed into new and different people. [2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10]
GA6:16 Now all – including the Israel 213 of The God - who walk orderly by this standard 214 – upon them be peace and mercy.
213 The Israel of God: Or, BAR: God’s Israel. That new Israel of Jeremiah 31:31-35 under a new covenant. Compare Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Romans 2:28, 29 and Romans 9:6. This is the Church, the Seed of Abraham which is neither Jew nor non-Jew. [Galatians 3:27-29]
214 Walk orderly by this standard: Or, principle, rule. The Greek is CANONI from which comes “canon” or church rule. He means the “rule” that a “new creation is something.” The new Christian creature is the New Person who walks in faith, and conducts himself in love.

Review Questions

  • What final warning does Paul give?
  • How did Paul view the world?
  • What is “a new creation”?
  • How must the Israel of God walk?

Galatians 6:17-18 – Conclusion

GA6:17 Hence, from now on let no one cause me trouble, 215 for I carry in my body the brand marks of Jesus.
215 Cause me trouble: Or, make things difficult [BAR]. Those troublemakers mention at Acts 15:1, 10, 24 and Galatians 1:7; 5:10.
GA6:18 The unmerited charity of our Master Jesus Christ be with your spiritual inclinations. 216 Amen!
216 Spiritual inclinations: Or, your spirit, your attitude.

Review Questions

  • Why does Paul mention his “large letters”? (Galatians 4:15)
  • What “marks” did Paul bear? (2 Corinthians 4:10)
  • What is Paul’s brief prayer?

Summary of Chapter Six

  • Sum up Galatians chapter six in a short phrase
  • What are some key words?
  • What verse would you call the “theme verse”?
  • How should a Christian “sow”?
  • What lesson will you apply in your life?

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

Mark Heber Miller

©2000 All Rights Reserved