1Brothers, even if a person is caught unexpectedly in some transgression, you who are spiritual — set that one right with care, like mending a broken bone, in a spirit of gentleness. Watch yourself, lest you also be tempted. [6:2] Bear one another's heavy burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ. [6:3] For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [6:4] Let each one test his own work — then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in comparison to another. [6:5] For each one will carry his own personal load. [6:6] Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with the one who teaches. [6:7] Do not be deceived — God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, that is what he will also reap. [6:8] Because 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. [6:9] Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap — if we do not give up. [6:10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all — and especially to those of the household of faith.
GAL 6:1-10
Carry One Anotherʼs Burdens
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, communal responsibility was deeply embedded in social structures, particularly within voluntary associations and religious groups. The concept of bearing one another’s burdens would resonate with listeners familiar with mutual aid practices in these contexts. The term (restore) evokes the image of mending or setting a broken bone, suggesting a careful, deliberate process of restoration within the community. The distinction between (a heavy, oppressive burden) and (a personal responsibility) highlights the balance between communal support and individual accountability. The warning against self-deception and boasting reflects the honor-shame culture, where public reputation and humility were paramount. The call to share resources with those who teach aligns with the patron-client relationships common in the Roman world, where reciprocity was expected. This passage assumes a community navigating both internal moral failures and external social pressures.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
GAL 6:1
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- Koinōnos
- Brothers, even if a person is caught unexpectedly in some transgression, you who are spiritual — set that one right with care, like mending a broken bone, in a spirit of gentleness. Watch yourself, lest you also be tempted.
GAL 6:2
- KJV
- Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
- BSB
- Carry one anotherʼs burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- Koinōnos
- Bear one another's heavy burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.
GAL 6:3
- KJV
- For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- BSB
- If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- Koinōnos
- For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
GAL 6:4
- KJV
- But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
- BSB
- Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.
- Koinōnos
- Let each one test his own work — then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in comparison to another.
GAL 6:5
- KJV
- For every man shall bear his own burden.
- BSB
- For each one should carry his own load.
- Koinōnos
- For each one will carry his own personal load.
GAL 6:6
- KJV
- Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
- BSB
- Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
- Koinōnos
- Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with the one who teaches.
GAL 6:7
- KJV
- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
- BSB
- Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- Koinōnos
- Do not be deceived — God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, that is what he will also reap.
GAL 6:8
- KJV
- For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
- BSB
- The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
- Koinōnos
- Because 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.
GAL 6:9
- KJV
- And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
- BSB
- Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Koinōnos
- Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap — if we do not give up.
GAL 6:10
- KJV
- As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
- BSB
- Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Koinōnos
- So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all — and especially to those of the household of faith.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.3
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.3
“These men are despisers of riches, and so very communicative as raises our admiration. Nor is there any one to be found among them who hath more than another; for it is a law among them, that those who come to them must let what they have be common to the whole order”
Cited to ground: communal responsibility was deeply embedded in social structures, particularly within voluntary associations and religious groups. The concept of bearing one another’s burdens would resonate with listeners familiar with mutual aid practices in these contexts.
Translator's notes
GAL 6:1
- shall be overcome:The word translated 'shall be overcome' implies being caught or detected in a fault, often unexpectedly or by surprise, rather than simply being defeated.
- do restore:The word translated 'do restore' suggests mending, setting right, or bringing something back into its proper, original condition, much like setting a broken bone or repairing a net.
GAL 6:2
- burdens:The word translated 'burdens' here refers to heavy, oppressive weights or difficulties that are hard to bear, often implying a significant struggle.
GAL 6:5
- load:The word translated 'load' refers to a personal responsibility or task, often a manageable one, that each individual is expected to carry.