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Galatians

Chapter 6

Burden-Bearing and New Creation

Paul closes the letter by showing what Spirit-led freedom looks like in the church: gentle restoration, shared burdens, sober self-examination, generous support, and persevering sowing toward the Spirit rather than the flesh. He then turns to his final written warning against those who boast in circumcision only to avoid the cross, and sets his own boast over against theirs in the cross of Christ alone. The letter ends with the claim that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters, but only a new creation, together with a final blessing of peace, mercy, and grace.

This closing chapter gathers Galatians into lived practice and final summary. It takes the freedom and Spirit-language of chapter 5 into communal life, then ends by returning to the letter's deepest opposition: outward religious boasting versus the cross and the new creation.

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Galatians 6

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vv. 1-10

Carry One Another’s Burdens

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B1rothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. 5For each one should carry his own load.

6Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. 7Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. 8The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

vv. 11-18

Final Warnings and Blessings

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S11ee what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand! 12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.

16Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.

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  1. 01vv. 1-10Carry One Another’s BurdensPaul says that those who are spiritual should restore the fallen gently while watching themselves, and that bearing one another's burdens fulfills the law of Christ. He joins that mutual care to personal honesty, the sowing-and-reaping principle, and a call not to grow weary in doing good, especially toward the household of faith.
  2. 02vv. 11-18Final Warnings and BlessingsPaul takes the pen in his own hand and says that those pressing circumcision want an outwardly respectable religion that avoids persecution for the cross and gives them grounds to boast in other people's flesh. Against them Paul sets the cross alone as his boast, because through it the world has been crucified to him and he to the world, and because what finally counts is not circumcision or uncircumcision but a new creation. He ends with peace, mercy, the marks of Jesus on his own body, and a final word of grace.
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