Carry One Another’s Burdens

Brothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of humility, looking out for yourself, lest you also be tempted. Carry the burdens of one another, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something although he[a] is nothing, he is deceiving himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in someone else. For each one will carry his own burden.

Do Good to All People

Now the one who is taught the word must share in all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked, for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap, because the one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we[b] do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.

A Final Warning

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 As many as are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh, these are attempting to compel[c] you to be circumcised, only so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised observe the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised in order that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But as for me, may it never be that I boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And all those who follow this rule, peace and mercy be on them and on the Israel of God.

Conclusion and Benediction

17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I carry on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:3 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is”) which is understood as concessive
  2. Galatians 6:9 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“give up”) which is understood as conditional
  3. Galatians 6:12 The present tense has been translated as conative here (“are attempting”)

Doing Good to All

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit(A) should restore(B) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(C) If anyone thinks they are something(D) when they are not, they deceive themselves.(E) Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,(F) without comparing themselves to someone else,(G) for each one should carry their own load.(H) Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.(I)

Do not be deceived:(J) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.(K) Whoever sows to please their flesh,(L) from the flesh will reap destruction;(M) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(N) Let us not become weary in doing good,(O) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(P) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(Q) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(R) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!(S)

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(T) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(U) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(V) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(W) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(X) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(Y) through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(Z) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(AA) what counts is the new creation.(AB) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks(AC) of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ(AD) be with your spirit,(AE) brothers and sisters. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
  2. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to