(Gal 6:1 NASB) Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Gal 6:1: If someone is caught in sin, we are to restore them in the spirit of gentleness. We are to look within ourselves and see that we too could be in this same position.
(Gal 6:2 NASB) Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2: What is the “Law of Messiah?” Some say it is the only law He gave us personally (John 13:34-35). But that is not exactly true. This Law that He gave us is merely the demonstration of one of the laws of His Father (Lev. 19:18, 34).
Yeshua did not make up a new Law for them to follow. He said to “love your neighbor as I have loved you.” He is saying that He DEMONSTRATED how to love our neighbor, as it says in Torah, and we are to do likewise.
(Gal 6:3 NASB) For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Gal 6:3: We are not worthy of anything to be “proud” of. We are not any better than any sinner in the world. Our redemption has nothing to do with how good we are or with any of the things we have accomplished (Prov. 25:14, 26:12).
We need wisdom which can only come from the word and commandments of Elohim (Prov. 4:1-7).
(Gal 6:4 NASB) But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
(Gal 6:5 NASB) For each one shall bear his own load.
Gal 6:5: Do not put yourself above others in their sin. Look within yourself and work on being a man or woman of Elohim (1 John 3:19-22).
(Gal 6:6 NASB) And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
Gal 6:6: Teachers of Scripture are blessed in many ways. Paul encourages those who have been taught to share the good things with their teacher.
(Gal 6:7 NASB) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Gal 6:7: Paul is not making up a new principle here. He is merely sharing facts from the Word of Elohim (Job 4:8, Psalm 7:14-16).
But Paul is speaking specifically of the Judaizers who were plaguing Paul’s ministry to the Galatians (v. 8).
(Gal 6:8 NASB) For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Gal 6:8: Once again, Paul is speaking of the Judaizers who were claiming that the men of Galatians need to be circumcised and become Jews before they are declared “whole” or righteous. Paul is saying they are of the flesh and they will reap corruption.
Paul is telling the Galatians that they are only redeemed through Yeshua Messiah and if they sow to the Spirit, they will reap everlasting life.
(Gal 6:9 NASB) And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
(Gal 6:10 NASB) So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Gal 6:10: Concern for this group is a special obligation to other believers in Yeshua Messiah. Yeshua said this same thing (Matt. 25:33-40).
(Gal 6:11 NASB) See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Gal 6:11: Paul is emphasizing certain things in his letter. He is upset with the Galatians for falling away so quickly and he wants them to know it (Gal. 1:6-7).
(Gal 6:12 NASB) Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Gal 6:12: These men want to make a good showing in the flesh. They are in the flesh and believe that their salvation is of the flesh. They will go with the popular thinking of the day (which is Judaism) and will not suffer persecution for the sacrifice of Messiah as Paul is doing.
(Gal 6:13 NASB) For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.
Gal 6:13: Those clowns who were corrupting the Gospel were not keeping Torah themselves. They were merely doing this to boast about how gullible and stupid the Gentiles are.
(Gal 6:14 NASB) But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Gal 6:14: Paul is saying that he has been separated from this world system and it’s religion. He has been joined to Messiah Yeshua.
(Gal 6:15 NASB) For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Gal 6:15: Paul said the same thing to the believers in Corinth (1 Cor. 7:19) and in Ephesus (Eph. 2:10).
(Gal 6:16 NASB) And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Gal 6:16: When Paul speaks of being “a new creation,” he is speaking of the Spirit of Elohim being within His people and they walk according to His commandments (Ezek. 11:19-20, 18:31).
As many as walk according to the rule of being a new creation, peace and mercy and many blessings will be upon them (Ezekiel 36:25-31).
(Gal 6:17 NASB) From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
(Gal 6:18 NASB) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gal 6:18: The marks that Paul bears are probably due to the beatings he took for his unyielding message he took to the Gentiles.
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas