Chapter 6:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Corinthians Ephesians
Galatians 6
Concise Complete
Exhortations to meekness, gentleness, and humility.
(1-5) To kindness towards all men, especially believers. (6-11) The Galatians
guarded against the judaizing teachers. (12-15) A solemn blessing. (16-18)
Verses 1-5 We
are to bear one another's burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This
obliges to mutual forbearance and compassion towards each other, agreeably to
his example. It becomes us to bear one another's burdens, as fellow-travellers.
It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other
men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending
to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find
the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one
is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways,
the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under
infirmities and afflictions. How light soever men's sins seem to them when
committed, yet they will be found a heavy burden, when they come to reckon with
God about them. No man can pay a ransom for his brother; and sin is a burden to
the soul. It is a spiritual burden; and the less a man feels it to be such, the
more cause has he to suspect himself. Most men are dead in their sins, and
therefore have no sight or sense of the spiritual burden of sin. Feeling the
weight and burden of our sins, we must seek to be eased thereof by the Saviour,
and be warned against every sin.
Verses 6-11
Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show,
and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they
think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he
cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in
the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing,
one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be
hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit
from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and
influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in
Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt
to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and
guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here
is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do
good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when
fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches.
Verses 12-15
Proud, vain, and carnal hearts, are content with just so much religion as will
help to keep up a fair show. But the apostle professes his own faith, hope, and
joy; and that his principal glory was in the cross of Christ. By which is here
meant, his sufferings and death on the cross, the doctrine of salvation by a
crucified Redeemer. By Christ, or by the cross of Christ, the world is crucified
to the believer, and he to the world. The more we consider the sufferings of the
Redeemer from the world, the less likely shall we be to love the world. The
apostle was as little affected by its charms, as a beholder would be by any
thing which had been graceful in the face of a crucified person, when he beholds
it blackened in the agonies of death. He was no more affected by the objects
around him, than one who is expiring would be struck with any of the prospects
his dying eyes might view from the cross on which he hung. And as to those who
have truly believed in Christ Jesus, all things are counted as utterly worthless
compared with him. There is a new creation; old things are passed away, and new
views and dispositions are brought in under the regenerating influences of God
the Holy Spirit. Believers are brought into a new world, and being created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, are formed to a life of holiness. It is a change
of mind and heart, whereby we are enabled to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to
live to God; and where this inward, practical religion is wanting, outward
professions, or names, will never stand in any stead.
Verses 16-18 A
new creation to the image of Christ, as showing faith in him, is the greatest
distinction between one man and another, and a blessing is declared on all who
walk according to this rule. The blessings are, peace and mercy. Peace with God
and our conscience, and all the comforts of this life, as far as they are
needful. And mercy, an interest in the free love and favour of God in Christ,
the spring and fountain of all other blessings. The written word of God is the
rule we are to go by, both in its doctrines and precepts. May his grace ever be
with our spirit, to sanctify, quicken, and cheer us, and may we always be ready
to maintain the honour of that which is indeed our life. The apostle had in his
body the marks of the Lord Jesus, the scars of wounds from persecuting enemies,
for his cleaving to Christ, and the doctrine of the gospel. The apostle calls
the Galatians his brethren, therein he shows his humility and his tender
affection for them; and he takes his leave with a very serious prayer, that they
might enjoy the favour of Christ Jesus, both in its effects and in its
evidences. We need desire no more to make us happy than the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ. The apostle does not pray that the law of Moses, or the
righteousness of works, but that the grace of Christ, might be with them; that
it might be in their hearts and with their spirits, quickening, comforting, and
strengthening them: to all which he sets his Amen; signifying his desire that so
it might be, and his faith that so it would be.
Chapter 6:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Corinthians Ephesians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
