GALATIANS -- CHAPTER SIX

INTRODUCTION: In chapter five, Paul had exhorted those Christians, in the light of his previous doctrinal arguments, to stand fast for the pure gospel of grace and not to live for the flesh but to yield their lives to the Holy Spirit. In chapter six, he continues to exhort them in the manner in which they should live.

vs. 1. Christians should be quick to forgive others and when wronged they should go to the erring brother or sister and in kindness and gentleness get the matter settled between them. Matthew 18:15- 17.

vs. 2. The word "burdens" here means a heavy load or weight. We are to help each other with our problems. This proves our love for our neighbor, Mark 12:30,31.

vs. 3. If a Christian thinks he's superior to or better than another regardless of his position in life, he is just fooling himself.

vs. 4-5. He is speaking of personal work, a personal task that no one else can do for him. It is his own responsibility. Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 2:12. The word burden here means a task or service to be done. We need to do those things that God directs us to do.

vs. 6. Communicate means to share with. We should support our pastor with our material possessions. A labourer is worthy of his hire. I Timothy 5: 17, 18.

vs. 7-8. The law of sowing and reaping is here declared. Numbers 32: 23; Rom, 6:23.

Vs. 9. We are not to give up in our Christian walk but are to be faithful to the end. II Corinthians. 4:16, 18; 5:1, 9-11, 14,16, 17, 20; James 5: 7 & 8.

vs. 10. We are to always do good but especially to Christians. Galatians 5:15-26.

vs. 11. Paul wrote this letter himself and the large letters were apparently due to an eye affliction which many scholars believe he had. Galatians 4:14; 15; II Corinthians. 12:7-9.

vs. 12-13. Paul accused the legalizers of mixing law and grace in their doctrinal teaching in order to avoid being persecuted. As long as Christianity was considered as a sect of Judaism it was accepted as a religion but when it denounced the law and circumcision it became known as a different religion and its followers were greatly persecuted. The Legalizers and Galatianists tried to water down the gospel of grace and thus escape the persecution but Paul wouldn't hear of this.

vs. 14. We should stand for the gospel in all its purity regardless of the cost and consider ourselves dead to the world.

vs. 15. Whether a person is circumcised or not is of no concern spiritually to God but only that he or she is a new creature. II Corinthians. 5:17; Jn. 3:5.

vs. 16. God's blessing of peace and mercy will be upon those who believe and follow the doctrine of the pure unadulterated gospel which Paul proclaimed. The Israel of God today are those who are blessed with faithful Abraham by their acceptance of Christ as Saviour by faith. Galatians 3:7, 9, 16, 29.

vs. 17. Paul says here that what he has said about these false doctrines is sufficient, so he doesn't want to hear any more of their dissent from the gospel. Paul certainly had many marks to show of his suffering for the gospel. II Corinthians. 11:23-28.

vs. 18. Paul began his letter with grace. vs.1-3. Now he ends with grace. Grace is unmerited favor or undeserved kindness. Yes, we are saved by grace and kept by grace. The gospel is a gospel of grace. We are saved to serve and to serve not because of having to but because of wanting to, due to the love we have for Him, who, while we were yet sinners loved us. Romans 5:8.