Galatians 6:1

Brethren. — The unfortunate conventional use of this word rather tends to weaken our sense of the delicacy and earnestness of this appeal.

If a man be overtaken. — If a man be even stirprised, or detected; not only caught, but caught red-handed, in the very act, before he can escape. A special expression is used in order to aggravate the circumstances of the detection. No matter what these circumstances may be, one who is truly spiritual will still deal gently with the offender.

Ye which are spiritual. — This has reference to what had been said in the last chapter (Galatians 6:16). St. Paul assumes that all Christians are animated by the Spirit of God. If, while claiming to be better than others, and to condescend towards them, they were not so animated, their presumption would be seen in all the more glaring light.

Restore. — A good translation. The idea is that of correcting with no feeling of resentment or thought of punishment, but with a single eye to the amendment of the offender. The same word is used for “mending their nets” in Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19. It is also found as a medical term for setting dislocated limbs.

In the spirit of meekness. — ”Spirit” here has reference to “ye that are spiritual” in the clause before. It does not mean exactly “the Holy Spirit,” but “such a state of mind as is produced by the operation of the Spirit.” One characteristic of a truly spiritual state is “meekness.” (Comp. Galatians 5:23, where “meekness” is mentioned expressly as one of the “fruits of the Spirit.”)

Considering thyself. — In other words, “Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you.” You, too, are liable to fall, and then you would be glad of the same gentle restoration.