By Teman Knight
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
PURPOSE EXPRESSED
Galatians 6:1–10
Jesus has called every follower to serve others in love. In Galatians 5, we saw that this service is amplified when we serve under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is empowered by the fruit of the Spirit.
We experience joy when we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives through serving others. We are more like Jesus when we humble ourselves in service.
Serving others means helping to carry their burdens. (1–5)
We are called to “carry one another’s burdens” when a brother or sister has been “overtaken in any wrongdoing.” Perhaps Paul is referring to some of the works of the flesh from chapter 5 that can entangle a believer. “You who are spiritual” refers to a believer who is walking in the Spirit and resisting the works of the flesh in their own lives. Before we can help the brother remove the speck in his eye, we must make sure the log is not in our own eye.
With a gentle spirit we should “restore such a person.” The word “restore” was used for fishermen repairing their fishing nets and doctors setting a broken arm. This restoration of a brother was to be done with gentleness, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit. The goal is to restore the fallen brother or sister back to living the Spirit-filled life so that they can help build the Church. The believer must be careful in the restoration process not to fall into temptation themselves. We all have burdens. Burdens come in the form of a moral lapse; physical, financial, emotional or relational problems; or a host of other types of burdens. God did not intend for us to deal with these in isolation.
While we help carry others’ burdens, there is a load we must carry ourselves. The word “load” in verse 5 is different from the word “burden” that others are carrying. “Load” refers to that which a person is able and required to carry alone.
By carrying our own load, we are able to examine ourselves, which is the word used for testing gold in fire to demonstrate its purity.
Serving others reaps future benefits. (6–8)
One of the purposes of the Church has always been to teach the life-changing Word of God. We must never forget that our purpose is to make disciples and to teach them. Paul indicates here that the teacher should be honored to share good things. The word for “to share” means “to partner.” Paul had several partners in the ministry who helped support his efforts.
Paul also worked at times to support himself. “All good things” could refer to financial help but also to prayer, encouragement, friendship and service. Honor those who teach us the Word by encouraging them and praying for them. Paul ends the passage by warning us that our actions have consequences; we will reap what we sow.
Seize every opportunity to serve. (9–10)
Continuing with his gardening imagery, Paul reminds the Galatians that the harvest is coming and challenges them not to quit. Faced with legalism on one side and lawlessness on the other, it would be easy for believers to give up.
He says to stay the course and continue to live in the Spirit. Do not let weariness and fatigue rob you of serving God and others by fulfilling His purpose every day.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
Share with others: