Galatians Chapter 6: There But by Grace
Chapter 6 (NASB)
Paul begins chapter 6 in verses 1-5 with an example of what “competing in love” looks like as opposed to competing in the legal works of the religious Law. The Law could be harsh on those “caught in wrongdoing,” like stoning or/and ostracizing them. These sinners must be restored “in a spirit of gentleness”, and believers must, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby [fulfilling] the law of Christ,” which is to “love your neighbor as yourselves.” (See chapter 5)
"Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load."
“…each one [must look] to yourselves, so that you are not tempted as well…For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” When we bring the end of verse one together with verse three we get a better understanding of what Paul is getting at.
The Galatians must not get judgy with one another when unrighteousness rears its ugly head. Paul is telling them to be sure that they have come to rest in the Spirit’s power and presence and not their own merit, or else they will fall into temptation as well. Here, let me remind you that the problem that James was addressing in the Church was its yielding to temptation during trial. Since each person will have to “bear his own load,” he will have to face his or her own weaknesses and failures. Everybody’s poop stinks.
In the next section, verses 6-10, Paul tells the Galatians why they mustn’t get judgy, why they must choose the deeds of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit.
"6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
“6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.” The teacher and the student share in the good that comes from learning the gospel; they must share the fruits of the Spirit. "7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap." The Galatians must not delude themselves into thinking that they can turn their noses up at the gospel of Christ and the life the results from faith. They cannot look to justify themselves by their merit and expect a harvest of the fruits of the Spirit.
In verse nine, Paul speaks of not becoming discouraged and not becoming weary of the faith the Galatians live. Let’s not tire of living in faith, to put this a slightly differently. And I think that I can understand what the apostle is talking about.
It can become tiring and frustrating when things don’t go the way that we would like them to or expect. To live by faith is to live in hope and not in certainty. To live by the Law, well that is something entirely different. Sure it is pretty clear that no one can fulfill Moses’ Law, but there is more certainty in taking matters into our own hands.
Now good deeds are by definition good, whether done to show one’s faith or not. When the starving person gets fed it really doesn’t matter to her if the food comes from a Buddhist, an atheist, or a Christian: from a Baptist or a Roman Catholic for that matter.
Paul concludes this section by writing, “So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people…” (6:10a) Deeds done in the flesh will fail. Deeds done in the flesh will not last. Whatever we do by our own power—according to our own merit—will ultimately lead to the sin of pride and also to those deeds of the flesh that Paul named in chapter 5.
But the works born out of faith, out of the fruit of the Spirit, that is another thing entirely. Oh to have the kind of faith that remains deep even in the face of setback. And we know in deepest recesses of our hearts and minds what Paul is talking about here, because we’ve all begun good deeds that rested in our strength and merit. How long did they last? Did they change anyone’s life for good? Didn’t you simply grow weary of doing and doing?
The fruits of the Spirit, however, are lasting; in fact, they are going to outlast us. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, these nine fruits arise out of faith, and when we choose to live by the Spirit, choose to leave the tomb and die to ourselves—our efforts and work and merit and pride—we allow Christ’s Spirit to live in us, and we receive that blessing that Israel could never hold on to.
"11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who [d]are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which 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 who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."
In verse eleven Paul tells the Galatians that this means so much to him that he, himself, is writing them this letter. He was investing even more of his time into their faith—this time in the hope of helping them reclaim it. By comparison, in the next two verses Paul gives the Galatians a glimpse of the agitator’s motivations in what they are doing to the church. “…they want to compel you to be circumcised…so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ…they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.” (12, 13) They don’t really care about the Galatians but only about themselves—as anyone committed to the works of Moses’ Law would be.
In the closing verses of this section, Paul brings his letter back around to the Christ-centered doctrine that he laid out back in chapter two. He writes:
"But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ [meaning he has done nothing, and Christ has done everything], through which the world has be crucified to me, and I to the world [“…for I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives within me]. For neither is circumcision anything [the way that I was, living under the Law and trying to justify myself by it], nor uncircumcision [the only thing that matters is faith working through love], but a new creation.” (14,15)
Paul will return to this idea of being a new creation in his letter to the Corinthians. And his point to the Galatians here is clear: Having welcomed Christ, His faith has brought them into a relationship with God and has offered them the chance to live. To live a new life as a new person and to see the world and other people with the eyes of their new life—the life of Christ that lives in their hearts.
All the matters is what they have become not what they once were—no matter who you were. “And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” (16)
This is not a new thought, even in Judaism, for anyone who has ears that will hear. In Isaiah 56 God opens the temple—offers a relationship—to even those people whom Deuteronomy 23 excludes!
Paul ends his letter by telling them to get their acts together and throws a little guilt their way, “…for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” (17), and then he offers them the grace to continue in their faith.
I hope that you have enjoyed this series on Galatians and that it has helped you grow in your discipleship and in your understanding of who you are in Christ Jesus. Because no matter who you once were, you are new in Him. Jesus has given us a relationship with the Father, and it is up to us to begin living the new life that we have received.
The next time the thought occurs to you to go back to the way you were—or to just do it yourself because then there’s no one to blame if it doesn’t succeed and no need to share the credit—remember Paul’s words to the Galatians that the works of the flesh brings chaos, but the fruit of the Spirit that results from faith, brings life.
Thank you for listening to First Day. I am Patrick Cooley, pastor of Northport Methodist Church. Visit the podcast and subscribe at firstday.us. Join us next time as we begin a series on Paul’s first and second letters to the Thessalonians. Blessings and peace and goodbye for now.
Paul begins chapter 6 in verses 1-5 with an example of what “competing in love” looks like as opposed to competing in the legal works of the religious Law. The Law could be harsh on those “caught in wrongdoing,” like stoning or/and ostracizing them. These sinners must be restored “in a spirit of gentleness”, and believers must, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby [fulfilling] the law of Christ,” which is to “love your neighbor as yourselves.” (See chapter 5)
"Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load."
“…each one [must look] to yourselves, so that you are not tempted as well…For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” When we bring the end of verse one together with verse three we get a better understanding of what Paul is getting at.
The Galatians must not get judgy with one another when unrighteousness rears its ugly head. Paul is telling them to be sure that they have come to rest in the Spirit’s power and presence and not their own merit, or else they will fall into temptation as well. Here, let me remind you that the problem that James was addressing in the Church was its yielding to temptation during trial. Since each person will have to “bear his own load,” he will have to face his or her own weaknesses and failures. Everybody’s poop stinks.
In the next section, verses 6-10, Paul tells the Galatians why they mustn’t get judgy, why they must choose the deeds of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit.
"6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
“6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.” The teacher and the student share in the good that comes from learning the gospel; they must share the fruits of the Spirit. "7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap." The Galatians must not delude themselves into thinking that they can turn their noses up at the gospel of Christ and the life the results from faith. They cannot look to justify themselves by their merit and expect a harvest of the fruits of the Spirit.
In verse nine, Paul speaks of not becoming discouraged and not becoming weary of the faith the Galatians live. Let’s not tire of living in faith, to put this a slightly differently. And I think that I can understand what the apostle is talking about.
It can become tiring and frustrating when things don’t go the way that we would like them to or expect. To live by faith is to live in hope and not in certainty. To live by the Law, well that is something entirely different. Sure it is pretty clear that no one can fulfill Moses’ Law, but there is more certainty in taking matters into our own hands.
Now good deeds are by definition good, whether done to show one’s faith or not. When the starving person gets fed it really doesn’t matter to her if the food comes from a Buddhist, an atheist, or a Christian: from a Baptist or a Roman Catholic for that matter.
Paul concludes this section by writing, “So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people…” (6:10a) Deeds done in the flesh will fail. Deeds done in the flesh will not last. Whatever we do by our own power—according to our own merit—will ultimately lead to the sin of pride and also to those deeds of the flesh that Paul named in chapter 5.
But the works born out of faith, out of the fruit of the Spirit, that is another thing entirely. Oh to have the kind of faith that remains deep even in the face of setback. And we know in deepest recesses of our hearts and minds what Paul is talking about here, because we’ve all begun good deeds that rested in our strength and merit. How long did they last? Did they change anyone’s life for good? Didn’t you simply grow weary of doing and doing?
The fruits of the Spirit, however, are lasting; in fact, they are going to outlast us. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, these nine fruits arise out of faith, and when we choose to live by the Spirit, choose to leave the tomb and die to ourselves—our efforts and work and merit and pride—we allow Christ’s Spirit to live in us, and we receive that blessing that Israel could never hold on to.
"11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who [d]are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which 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 who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."
In verse eleven Paul tells the Galatians that this means so much to him that he, himself, is writing them this letter. He was investing even more of his time into their faith—this time in the hope of helping them reclaim it. By comparison, in the next two verses Paul gives the Galatians a glimpse of the agitator’s motivations in what they are doing to the church. “…they want to compel you to be circumcised…so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ…they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.” (12, 13) They don’t really care about the Galatians but only about themselves—as anyone committed to the works of Moses’ Law would be.
In the closing verses of this section, Paul brings his letter back around to the Christ-centered doctrine that he laid out back in chapter two. He writes:
"But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ [meaning he has done nothing, and Christ has done everything], through which the world has be crucified to me, and I to the world [“…for I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives within me]. For neither is circumcision anything [the way that I was, living under the Law and trying to justify myself by it], nor uncircumcision [the only thing that matters is faith working through love], but a new creation.” (14,15)
Paul will return to this idea of being a new creation in his letter to the Corinthians. And his point to the Galatians here is clear: Having welcomed Christ, His faith has brought them into a relationship with God and has offered them the chance to live. To live a new life as a new person and to see the world and other people with the eyes of their new life—the life of Christ that lives in their hearts.
All the matters is what they have become not what they once were—no matter who you were. “And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” (16)
This is not a new thought, even in Judaism, for anyone who has ears that will hear. In Isaiah 56 God opens the temple—offers a relationship—to even those people whom Deuteronomy 23 excludes!
Paul ends his letter by telling them to get their acts together and throws a little guilt their way, “…for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” (17), and then he offers them the grace to continue in their faith.
I hope that you have enjoyed this series on Galatians and that it has helped you grow in your discipleship and in your understanding of who you are in Christ Jesus. Because no matter who you once were, you are new in Him. Jesus has given us a relationship with the Father, and it is up to us to begin living the new life that we have received.
The next time the thought occurs to you to go back to the way you were—or to just do it yourself because then there’s no one to blame if it doesn’t succeed and no need to share the credit—remember Paul’s words to the Galatians that the works of the flesh brings chaos, but the fruit of the Spirit that results from faith, brings life.
Thank you for listening to First Day. I am Patrick Cooley, pastor of Northport Methodist Church. Visit the podcast and subscribe at firstday.us. Join us next time as we begin a series on Paul’s first and second letters to the Thessalonians. Blessings and peace and goodbye for now.