Section 6:1–10

How to walk in the Spirit together with fellow believers

In this section, Paul asked the Galatians to continue to live a life directed by the Holy Spirit. He encouraged them to help one another and do good deeds.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Believers fulfill the law of Christ when they help each other
-or-
Help Carry Each Other’s Burdens (God’s Word)
-or-
Help Each Other (New Century Version)

Paragraph 6:1–5

6:1a

Brothers: This word refers to all the believers in Galatia. It includes both men and women. Paul used this word to show that he loved the Galatians and was concerned for them.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Brothers and sisters (NET Bible)
-or-
My ?dear? fellow believers
-or-
My friends (New Revised Standard Version)

if someone is caught in a trespass: There are two ways to interpret the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as if someone is caught in a trespass :

(1) It means that sin has overcome or overpowered a person. According to this interpretation, someone has yielded to a desire to do something wrong. For example:

if another believer is overcome by some sin (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means that someone has caught or discovered another person in the act of sinning. He has surprised him.

if one of you is caught doing something wrong (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The main point is what to do when a sin is committed, not whether or how a sin is discovered.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

if someone is trapped in sin (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
if a person ?among you? yields to sin
-or-
if someone in your group does something wrong (New Century Version)

6:1b

you who are spiritual: This clause means “you who live/walk by the Spirit.” Some believers are more mature or advanced in following the Holy Spirit than others. They are the ones who have the proper character to restore a believer who has sinned.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you who walk with the Spirit
-or-
you who live by the Spirit
-or-
you whom the Spirit leads/guides
-or-
you who submit to the Holy Spirit

should restore him with a spirit of gentleness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as restore means “mend, restore, set right, and make complete.” Here it means that spiritual believers should seek to lead the sinful person back into a right relationship with God and fellow believers.

They should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. This means that they should be humble and kind as they lead the sinful person back into a right relationship with God.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you should gently lead that person back to the right path (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
should go to that person and gently help make him right again (New Century Version)
-or-
they should bring him back to fellowship in a humble/kind manner

6:1c

But watch yourself: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as watch means “look at” or “pay attention to.” Paul warned the people who were to restore the sinner that they should not think too highly about themselves. They should not think that they themselves could never be tempted.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

At the same time watch yourself (God’s Word)
-or-
But be on your guard
-or-
But be careful (New Century Version)

6:1d

or you also may be tempted: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as or you also may be tempted can also be translated as “so that you too are not tempted to sin.” Here the verb does not only mean being tempted but actually giving in to temptation and sinning.

This verb is passive. Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

so that you are not tempted too (NET Bible)
-or-
because you too might be tempted ?by Satan? to sin

• Use an active or other non-passive verb. For example:

not to fall into the same temptation yourself (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
so that ?Satan? does not also tempt you, ?and you too sin?

you: Paul changed from the plural “you” in 6:1b to the singular “you” here in order to address each person individually. However, it is acceptable to use a plural form if your language requires it. For example:

so that you(plur) too will not be tempted

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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