GALATIANS

Those Galatians who had not abandoned their dependence upon the Holy Spirit, now are asked to set those right who had been seized unawares by sin because they had deprived themselves of the ministry of the Spirit. The primary thing that needed to be set right was not the act of sin which they committed, but that they had wandered off the road of grace and were stumbling in the quagmire of self-dependence and legalism.

The Spirit-filled believer is exhorted to perform this ministry in a spirit of meekness, considering lest he himself also be tempted. It is significant that this careful instruction directly follows the discussion of the fruit which is to be produced in the life of the believer. If the fruit were being perfectly formed in the faithful believer, the restoration process would proceed successfully without crushing the one overtaken "in a fault" by false pride.

The word "restore" was used of a dislocated limb, "put back in place." Such is the tenderness with which we should treat a fallen member in restoring him, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED. We should show the mercy and feeling which we would wish to receive from another.

If you, legalists, must "bear burdens," then instead of legal burdens (Mt. 23:4), bear each other’s burdens.

Since you, legalists, desire "the Law," then fulfil the Law of Christ, which is NOT made up of various minute observances, but whose sole requirement is love (Jn. 13:34; 15:12).

Let the believer not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a believer is the Word of Christ - The only Pattern for his imitation is the Example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ has left us an example that we should follow HIS steps.

6:5 - EVERY MAN SHALL BEAR HIS OWN BURDEN        [NIV: Each one should carry his own load]

This does not contradict with verse 2.

There he tells us to bear WITH others’ burdens in sympathy, and to HELP them bear their burdens in Christian Love.

Here, we are told not to compare ourselves BOASTFULLY with our fellow believers. We are told in II Cor. 10:12 that it is unwise to compare ourselves with each other. Jesus Christ is our only rule and pattern.

From the mention of bearing one another’s burdens he passes to one way in which those burdens may be born - by ministering out of their earthly goods to their spiritual teachers.

The Judaizers had precipitated a situation in the Galatian Churches in which those who followed their teaching broke fellowship with the true teachers of the Word. Paul is exhorting these to resume their fellowship with their former teachers. The exhortation is that the disciple should make common cause with the teacher in everything that is morally good and which promotes salvation.

The believer is not to leave the sphere of the morally good as Paul taught it, to the teacher alone, and go off after the Judaizers. He is to work with his teachers and so promote the spiritual life of the churches.

They were to contribute to the support of the one who has dedicated himself to the work of the ministry, and who gives up his time and his life to preach the Gospel. It appears that some of the believers in Galatia believed they could receive the Christian ministry without contributing to its support.

When used rhetorically, it referred to ill-will and contempt by cynical gestures IN SPITE OF FAIR WORDS. It implies an outward avowal of respect neutralized by an indirect expression of contempt.

Sowing "with a view to" the flesh -

Sowing "with a view to" the Spirit -

In verse 8, Paul exhorts the Galatians to govern their lives with a view to the Spirit’s control over them. Now he exhorts them not to become weary in that course of action.

6:10 - LET US DO GOOD TO ALL

We are not only to be WILLING, but to be ready and EAGER to do good. It means to labor actively with continued exertion.

We are to do good to ALL - to the household of faith first - but not to the household of faith only.

Scholars disagree as to whether Paul wrote the entire epistle with his own hand, or only the conclusion.

The importance of the subject matter of this epistle is highlighted both by:

The Judaizers wished to remain in good standing with the Jewish community. They desired to appear pleasing to their Jewish brethren who still clung to the Temple sacrifices. Circumcision was the point at issue at the time. The Galatian believers had already begun to observe to the Jewish feasts. More of the law would be added as opportunity presented itself.

The motive, as stated in this verse, was: "lest they should suffer persecution." They were willing to please the Jews who were yet unconverted to avoid persecution FOR THE CROSS OF CHRIST, even though they themselves professed to be His followers.

Here Paul gives his reason for glorying in the Cross of Christ - It is because, while circumcision is of no avail to the Jew, nor the lack of circumcision of any avail to the Gentile, yet the Cross has power to make of believing Jew and Gentile alike A NEW CREATION which results in a radical transformation of character.

The Judaizing teachers gloried in the mark of circumcision in the flesh of their followers -

MARKS - from  (stigma)

GRACE - undeserved and unearned - anything else is not Grace

He lays the matter to rest. He desires that the spirit of contention and human pride be replaced with Divine peace and humility through the Grace of Jesus Christ.

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