Galatians 6
New English Translation
Support One Another
6 Brothers and sisters,[a] if a person[b] is discovered in some sin,[c] you who are spiritual[d] restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.[e] Pay close attention[f] to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine[g] his own work. Then he can take pride[h] in himself and not compare himself with[i] someone else. 5 For each one will carry[j] his own load.
6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches[k] it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool.[l] For a person[m] will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh[n] will reap corruption[o] from the flesh,[p] but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary[q] in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.[r] 10 So then,[s] whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.[t]
Final Instructions and Benediction
11 See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters[u] are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so[v] only to avoid being persecuted[w] for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.[x] 14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[y] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For[z] neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for[aa] anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation![ab] 16 And all who will behave[ac] in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.[ad]
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.[ae]
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be[af] with your spirit, brothers and sisters.[ag] Amen.
Footnotes
- Galatians 6:1 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
- Galatians 6:1 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.
- Galatians 6:1 tn Or “some transgression” (L&N 88.297).
- Galatians 6:1 sn Who are spiritual refers to people who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit.
- Galatians 6:1 tn Or “with a gentle spirit” or “gently.”
- Galatians 6:1 tn Grk “taking careful notice.”
- Galatians 6:4 tn Or “determine the genuineness of.”
- Galatians 6:4 tn Grk “he will have a reason for boasting.”
- Galatians 6:4 tn Or “and not in regard to.” The idea of comparison is implied in the context.
- Galatians 6:5 tn Or perhaps, “each one must carry.” A number of modern translations treat βαστάσει (bastasei) as an imperatival future.
- Galatians 6:6 tn Or “instructs,” “imparts.”
- Galatians 6:7 tn Or “is not mocked,” “will not be ridiculed” (L&N 33.409). BDAG 660 s.v. μυκτηρίζω has “of God οὐ μ. he is not to be mocked, treated w. contempt, perh. outwitted Gal 6:7.”
- Galatians 6:7 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.
- Galatians 6:8 tn BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24; …Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.”
- Galatians 6:8 tn Or “destruction.”
- Galatians 6:8 tn See the note on the previous occurrence of the word “flesh” in this verse.
- Galatians 6:9 tn Or “not become discouraged,” “not lose heart” (L&N 25.288).
- Galatians 6:9 tn Or “if we do not become extremely weary,” “if we do not give out,” “if we do not faint from exhaustion” (L&N 23.79).
- Galatians 6:10 tn There is a double connective here that cannot be easily preserved in English: “consequently therefore,” emphasizing the conclusion of what Paul has been arguing.
- Galatians 6:10 tn Grk “to those who are members of the family of [the] faith.”
- Galatians 6:12 tn Grk “in the flesh.” L&N 88.236 translates the phrase “those who force you to be circumcised are those who wish to make a good showing in external matters.”
- Galatians 6:12 tn Grk “to be circumcised, only.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started with the words “They do so,” which were supplied to make a complete English sentence.
- Galatians 6:12 tc ‡ Grk “so that they will not be persecuted.” The indicative after ἵνα μή (hina mē) is unusual (though not unexampled elsewhere in the NT), making it the harder reading. The evidence is fairly evenly split between the indicative διώκονται (diōkontai; P46 A C F G K L P 0278 6 81 104 326 629 1175 1241 1505 2464 pm) and the subjunctive διώκωνται (diōkōntai; א B D Ψ 33 365 1739 pm), with a slight preference for the subjunctive. However, since scribes would tend to change the indicative to a subjunctive due to syntactical requirements, the internal evidence is decidedly on the side of the indicative, suggesting that it is the autographic wording.
- Galatians 6:13 tn Or “boast about you in external matters,” “in the outward rite” (cf. v. 12).
- Galatians 6:14 tn Or perhaps, “through whom,” referring to the Lord Jesus Christ rather than the cross.
- Galatians 6:15 tc The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is found after “For” in some mss (א A C D F G 0278 1881 2464 M lat bo), but lacking in P46 B Ψ 33 1175 1505 1739* and several fathers. The longer reading probably represents a scribal harmonization to Gal 5:6.
- Galatians 6:15 tn Grk “is.”
- Galatians 6:15 tn Grk “but a new creation”; the words “the only thing that matters” have been supplied to reflect the implied contrast with the previous clause (see also Gal 5:6).
- Galatians 6:16 tn The same Greek verb, στοιχέω (stoicheō), occurs in Gal 5:25.
- Galatians 6:16 tn The word “and” (καί) can be interpreted in two ways: (1) It could be rendered as “also” which would indicate that two distinct groups are in view, namely “all who will behave in accordance with this rule” and “the Israel of God.” Or (2) it could be rendered “even,” which would indicate that “all who behave in accordance with this rule” are “the Israel of God.” In other words, in this latter view, “even” = “that is.”
- Galatians 6:17 tn Paul is probably referring to scars from wounds received in the service of Jesus, although the term στίγμα (stigma) may imply ownership and suggest these scars served as brands (L&N 8.55; 33.481; 90.84).
- Galatians 6:18 tn Or “is.” No verb is stated, but a wish (“be”) rather than a declarative statement (“is”) is most likely in a concluding greeting such as this.
- Galatians 6:18 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
Galatians 6
New Living Translation
We Harvest What We Plant
6 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Paul’s Final Advice
11 Notice what large letters i use as i write these closing words in my own handwriting.
12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross,[c] my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.[d]
17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 Dear brothers and sisters,[e] may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Galatians 6
King James Version
6 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.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 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.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Galatians 6
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
6 1 Brothers, even[a] if a person is overtaken[b] in some trespass, you spiritual ones be restoring[c] such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking-out-for yourself that you also not be tempted. 2 Be carrying one another’s burdens[d], and in this manner you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks that he is something while being nothing, he is deceiving himself.
Each Person Has a Boast Only With Reference To His Own Proven Work
4 But let each one prove[e] his own work— and then he will have the boast with reference to himself alone, and not with reference to the other person. 5 For each one will carry his own load[f].
We Will Reap What We Sow. Plant Good Works To Reap a Good Harvest
6 And let the one being instructed-in the word share with the one instructing in all good things. 7 Do not be deceived— God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 Because the one sowing to his own flesh will reap decay from the flesh. But the one sowing to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 And let us not grow-weary while doing good. For in His own time we not losing-heart[g] will reap. 10 So then, while we have[h] opportunity[i], let us be working good to everyone, but especially to the family-members of the faith.
Those Wanting Your Circumcision Are Seeking To Boast In Your Flesh, Not To Keep The Law
11 See with what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand! 12 All who want to make-a-good-showing[j] in the flesh— these ones are compelling you to receive-circumcision only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even the ones receiving-circumcision themselves are keeping the Law. But they want you to receive-circumcision in order that they might boast in your flesh.
I Will Boast Only In The Cross of Christ. Peace Be Upon All Who Do The Same
14 But for me, may it never be that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[k] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation. 16 And all who will walk-in-line with this standard[l]— peace and mercy be upon them, and[m] upon the Israel of God. 17 Henceforth[n] let no one be causing troubles for me. For I bear the brand-marks[o] of Jesus on my body.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Footnotes
- Galatians 6:1 That is, even if one is caught in an explicit sin, do not respond in the conceit that you yourself are invulnerable.
- Galatians 6:1 Or, caught, surprised.
- Galatians 6:1 That is, be engaged in the process of restoring such a one.
- Galatians 6:2 Or, weights, impediments.
- Galatians 6:4 That is, prove by testing and examination.
- Galatians 6:5 That is, load of work accomplished for Christ.
- Galatians 6:9 Or, fainting, giving-out.
- Galatians 6:10 That is, in this life.
- Galatians 6:10 Or, time.
- Galatians 6:12 Or, put-on-a-good-face.
- Galatians 6:14 Or, Whom.
- Galatians 6:16 Or, rule, norm.
- Galatians 6:16 Or, even.
- Galatians 6:17 Or, Finally.
- Galatians 6:17 That is, of ownership.
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Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
