Galatians 6:1-11

Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

When Christians fall into a fault, it is on account of their traveling slowly on the road to heaven. Hence the expression, «If he be overtaken with a fault.» He would not have been overtaken if he had been traveling faster. If his heart had been quick in the ways of the Lord, he would have outstripped the temptation. Now, when a brother falls into sin, it is too often the habit to push him down to cast him out and forget him. But spiritually-minded persons must not do so. We must seek the restoration of the brother. Is there not more joy over the sheep that was lost than over those that went not astray? Have we not the best reason to deal tenderly with wanderers, since we cannot tell that we may not need the same generous offices for ourselves? «Considering thyself lest thou also be tempted.» He seems to take it for granted that we probably should, if we were tempted as the other brother was.

Galatians 6:2. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Help each other. If you have a light load. take a part of somebody else's.

Galatians 6:3. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Mainly deceives himself. Other people generally find it out. It is no use estimating your fortune at so many millions, for it will not make it so; and it is of no use estimating yourself at a very high price, because it does not make it so. «He deceiveth himself.»

Galatians 6:4. But let every man prove his own work, and then, shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

There are burdens of care and sorrow which we can help others to bear; but the burdens of responsibility each man must carry for himself. The load of service for the Master must be carried personally; and let us be glad to shoulder it, since Christ has done so much for us. And how else can we express gratitude but by serving him?

Galatians 6:6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

If he gives you spirituals, do not suffer him to lack for temporals.

Galatians 6:7. Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap

What the flesh always comes to by-and-bye.

Galatians 6:8. Corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit

By faith in Christ by being led of the Spirit.

Galatians 6:8. Shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, it we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

They have a first claim upon us. They are nearest of kin. They are our brethren in Christ. Let them have a Benjamin's portion.

Galatians 6:11. Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

Paul did not often write his own epistles. It is thought that he had a defect of the eyes. He employed an amanuensis generally. When he did write, he wrote generally in great capitals. I suppose that is what he meant. «You see how emphatic my writing is what great characters I have made in writing to you.» Or he may have meant that for a letter, written by him, this was a lengthy one.

This exposition consisted of readings from Galatians 4:12; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 5:19; Galatians 6:1.