Explanation of Galatians 6
Galatians 6 is the final chapter of Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia. Here, Paul gives practical instructions for Christian living, emphasizing mutual care, perseverance in doing good, and the importance of boasting only in Christ. He also warns against false teachers and reinforces the central message of the gospel.
Bearing One Another’s Burdens (Galatians 6:1–5)
Paul begins with an exhortation to restore a fellow believer who has fallen into sin. He calls on those who are “spiritual” (mature in the faith) to correct the sinner in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). This reflects Christ’s teaching that discipline in the church should be done with humility and love (Matthew 18:15–17).
He then calls believers to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). This means helping fellow Christians carry their struggles, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. In doing so, Paul says, they fulfill “the law of Christ,” which is the law of love (John 13:34).
At the same time, Paul warns against pride. Those who think they are something when they are nothing deceive themselves (Galatians 6:3). Every believer must examine their own work (Galatians 6:4), ensuring that their confidence is in Christ, not in comparisons with others. While we are to help bear one another’s burdens, we also have personal responsibilities before God (Galatians 6:5).
Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:6–10)
Paul reminds the Galatians that those who receive instruction in the Word should support their teachers (Galatians 6:6). This follows the biblical principle that “the laborer deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18).
He then introduces a principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7–8). Just as in agriculture, what a person sows will determine what they reap. Those who live according to the flesh will reap corruption, but those who live by the Spirit will reap eternal life. This aligns with Paul’s teaching elsewhere that living in sin leads to death, but life in Christ leads to righteousness (Romans 6:23).
With this in mind, Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). The Christian life requires perseverance, and in due time, God will bring a harvest of blessing. Therefore, Christians should take every opportunity to do good, especially to fellow believers (Galatians 6:10).
Boasting Only in the Cross (Galatians 6:11–16)
Paul now turns back to the main issue of the letter—false teachers who were trying to impose circumcision and the works of the law on Gentile believers. He exposes their motives, saying they only promote circumcision to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:12). These false teachers do not even keep the law themselves but want to boast in their influence over others (Galatians 6:13).
In contrast, Paul declares that he will boast only in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14). Through the cross, he is dead to the world, and the world is dead to him. What matters is not circumcision or uncircumcision, but being a new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15). This echoes his earlier teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works of the law (Galatians 2:16).
He concludes this section by pronouncing peace and mercy on those who walk by this rule—on the true Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). This refers not to ethnic Israel, but to all who are in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile (Galatians 3:28–29).
Final Words (Galatians 6:17–18)
Paul ends with a personal note, saying that he bears the marks of Christ on his body (Galatians 6:17). These marks likely refer to the scars and sufferings he endured for the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23–28). Unlike the false teachers who sought to avoid persecution, Paul had suffered for preaching the true gospel.
Finally, he blesses the Galatians, praying that the grace of Christ would be with their spirit (Galatians 6:18). This reinforces the theme of the entire letter—salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Conclusion
Galatians 6 serves as both a warning and an encouragement. Believers must care for one another, persevere in doing good, and reject the false gospel of works-righteousness. Our only boast is in the cross of Christ, for through it we are made new creations. Paul’s final words remind us that the Christian life is one of grace, not law, and that true faith expresses itself in love and service to others.
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