Carry One Another’s Burdens

Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle(A) spirit,[a](B) watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.(C) Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(D) For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,(E) he deceives himself. Let each person examine his own work,(F) and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load.

Let the one who is taught the word share(G) all his good things with the teacher. Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit(H) will reap eternal life(I) from the Spirit. Let us not get tired(J) of doing good,(K) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work(L) for the good(M) of all, especially for those who belong to the household(N) of faith.(O)

Concluding Exhortation

11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh(P) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised(Q)—but only to avoid being persecuted(R) for the cross(S) of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep(T) the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15 For[b] both circumcision and uncircumcision(U) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.(V) 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel(W) of God![c]

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.(X) 18 Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.(Y) Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 6:1 Or with the Spirit of gentleness
  2. 6:15 Other mss add in Christ Jesus
  3. 6:16 Or And for those who follow this standard, may peace and mercy be upon them, even upon the Israel of God, or And as many who will follow this standard, peace be upon them and mercy even upon the Israel of God.

Help Each Other

Brothers, if a person is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well. Practice carrying each other’s burdens. In this way you will fulfill the law of the Messiah.[a] For if anyone thinks he is something when he is really nothing, he is only fooling himself. Each person must examine his own actions, and then he can boast about his own accomplishments and not about someone else. For everyone must carry his own load.

The person who is taught the word should share all his goods with his teacher. Stop being[b] deceived; God is not to be ridiculed. A person harvests whatever he plants: The person who sows through human means will harvest decay from human means, but the person who sows in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have the opportunity, let’s practice doing good to everyone, especially to the family of faith.

A Final Warning against Circumcision

11 Look at how large these letters are because I am writing with my own hand! 12 These people who want to impress others by their external appearance[c] are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah.[d] 13 Why, not even those who are circumcised obey the Law! They simply want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your external appearance.[e] 14 But may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[f] by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is being[g] a new creation. 16 Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God. 17 Let no one make any more trouble for me, because I carry the scars of Jesus on my own body.

Final Greeting

18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[h] be with your spirit, brothers! Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 6:2 Or Christ
  2. Galatians 6:7 Or Do not be
  3. Galatians 6:12 Lit. their flesh
  4. Galatians 6:12 Or Christ
  5. Galatians 6:13 Lit. your flesh
  6. Galatians 6:14 Or Christ
  7. Galatians 6:15 The Gk. lacks what matters is being
  8. Galatians 6:18 Or Christ