Sep. 25, 2024

Dear Friends,

I hope that you can join us tonight for Bible study as we now conclude our study of Paul's letter to the Galatians. The Scripture is Galatians 6.  Notes are attached.

LIVING THE CHRISTLIFE

WAYNE BARRETT

HILLTOP LAKES CHAPEL

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Galatians 6

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a 

spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2Bear one another's 

burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is 

nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast 

will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be 

deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who 

sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will 

from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we 

will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, 

and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to 

make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that 

they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not 

themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your 

flesh. 14But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the 

world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for 

anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace 

and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

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

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

__________

Some summative teachings, as Paul’s letter comes to a close

vv 1-2 – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression…”

“Brothers” – adelphos, lit. from the same wom; “brothers,” certainly—in the same 

different ways we use the word; also can be a way to address all members of the 

Christian community

“anyone”-- anthrópos

“restore” – katartizó, to complete or repair

“him”– toioutos, such a one

So, while a reading of this sentence seems naturally to cause a man to come into our 

minds, this teaching on gentle restoration was also for women. (cf the woman caught 

in adultery, John 8).

Paul does not give examples, although he had done so previously (5:20-21). We also have 

the example of the man in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 2:5-

11)

The transgression is not to be overlooked, but the work of “you who are spiritual” should 

be for the personal and spiritual restoration of the person involved

“Keep watch on yourself…”

This is not a new sentence, it is a continuation

“…spirit of gentleness, taking heed to yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

The pronouns in this phrase switch to singular—Paul makes it very personal

v 2 – “Bear one another’s burdens …”

What an impact this teaching regarding the “law of Christ” has had—not just in the 

formation of the Church, but throughout the Western world

We almost take it for granted that we should “help each other,” but this was not an ethical 

expectation

vv 3-5 – “For if anyone things he is something…”

Sometimes plain, informal language is the best!

No church needs “big shots.” And no church needs someone to get all worked up and put 

on his or her “big shot” clothes!

“he deceives himself” – only himself!

This also has to do with comparing oneself to others, particularly perhaps, to those caught 

in a transgression or to those who need help with burdens they are carrying (vv 1-2)

“But let each one test his own work…”

In this context—and in general

“test,” also “prove,” means to put to the test, work out the imperfections, improve, perfect

Let each person work on his own life and work out his calling from God—let that be his 

focus

Then, any reason to boast (Paul says this perhaps ironically, as in “if there appears to be 

such a reason”) will be in the fulfilling of his own life and calling unto God—without 

regard as to what someone else may or may not have done (“and not in his neighbor,”

more lit. “and not [pointing] to another,” or perhaps, not taking credit for the work of 

another).

more lit. “For each will bear his own load.”

God’s expectations—and his judgment—are not comparative, but are according to the

gifts, opportunities, and callings of each one personally

v 6 – “Let the one who is taught…”

more lit. “Now let the one who is being taught in the word share all good things with the 

one who is teaching.”

Even from the early days of the Church, the NT gives teaches that we should provide a 

living for vocational ministers.

vv 7-10 – “Do not be deceived …”

Some were deceived—and continue to be

God cannot be manipulated and the principles of creation cannot be abrogated—

including moral accountability.

How we live matters. People harvest what they plant. But some of the harvest may not be 

fully apparent until the judgment.

This is not a works-based salvation statement—in fact, it is the opposite!

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption…”

Paul is now (among other things) referring back tohis opening theme

If someone trusts in keeping the law to save them, then they are trusting in the flesh. The 

sinful flesh—our old nature—is corrupted and perishing. If someone lives depending 

upon the flesh, they will only reap corruption.

This also applies to other approaches to life that are not according to our new covenant of 

forgiveness in Christ.

“but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

“sows to the Spirit” refers to the grace of God, to be saved though faith in Christ, to 

receive new life in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit. To live according to the Spirit.

The harvest for this person is eternal life!

more lit. “Moreover, we should not grow weary in doing good…” (v 9)

Then, and now, we are tempted to do just that—for many reasons

“for in due season”—lit. “for in its own time”

“we will reap, not giving up.”—So it is important not to give up! Believe.

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of 

the household of faith.” (v 10)

A great, summative, memorable teaching for living.

vv 11-16 – “See with what large letters…”

Paul’s letters were dictated (as was normal at the time) to an amanuensis. This was his 

extra-emphasized way of verifying that he was the author.

He summarizes his earlier theme. 

“For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation (v 

15).” That was true then, and it is true now.

“And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel 

of God (v 16).” Paul in one phrase, the “Israel of God” summarizes that Christ is the 

fulfilment of the law and the embodiment of the New Covenant. All covenant 

promises belong to and are fulfilled in Christ, and the Church, as the body of Christ,

is the Israel of God.”

vv 17-18 – “From now on…”

Paul’s final appeal to his authority and his calling, as evidenced by the marks of his 

suffering for Christ

He concludes with a blessing.