6:5

For: Verse 6:5 is the basis for the command in 6:4a that “each person should test his own work.” The Greek introduces this basis with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

each one should carry his own load: This clause is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the work/responsibilities that God has given each believer are compared to bearing/carrying a load. Believers must concentrate on doing the work for which they themselves are responsible.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

We each must carry our own load. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
each of us are responsible for carrying the load ?that God has given us?

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

We must each do the work ?that God has given each of us? , like someone who is responsible/assigned to carry his own load.

• Translate the meaning directly without using a figure of speech. For example:

we are each responsible for our own conduct (New Living Translation (2004))

load: In some languages, it may be necessary to translate the word load here in 6:5 with the same word as “burden” in 6:2. In such a situation, there may be an apparent conflict between 6:2 and 6:5. On the one hand, we are to bear one another’s burdens/loads. On the other hand, we are to bear our own loads.

The words translated as “burden” and load are different in Greek. So you may have to say something like “heavy load” in 6:2 to distinguish it from load here.

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