Galatians 6 - Fulfill the Law?

Chad Werkhoven
Apr 18, 2022
2 min read

You've been set free in Christ, but you must use your freedom to build up yourself and those around you.

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Galatians 6 (ESV)

1 Brothers,

if anyone is caught in any transgression,
- you who are spiritual
- should
  - restore him
  - in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself,
- lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens,
- and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- 3 For if anyone
  - thinks he is something,
  - when he is nothing,
  - he deceives himself.
- 4 But let each one test his own work,
  - and then his reason to boast will be
    - in himself alone
    - and not in his neighbor.
  - 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one
- who is taught the word
- share
  - all good things
  - with the one who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived:
- God is not mocked,
- for
  - whatever one sows,
  - that will he also reap.
  - 8 For the one
    - who sows
      - to his own flesh
      - will from the flesh reap corruption,
    - but the one who sows
      - to the Spirit
      - will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
- 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good,
  - for in due season we will reap,
  - if we do not give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity,
- let us do good
  - to everyone,
  - and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

12 It is those
- who want to make a good showing in the flesh
- who would force you to be circumcised,
  - and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
  - 13 For even those who are circumcised
    - do not themselves keep the law,
    - but they
      - desire to have you circumcised
      - that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But far be it from me to boast
- except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- by which
  - the world has been crucified to me,
  - and I to the world.
- 15 For neither
  - circumcision counts for anything,
  - nor uncircumcision,
  - but a new creation.
16 And as for all who walk by this rule,
- peace and mercy be upon them,
- and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on
- let no one cause me trouble,
- for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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Galatians 6 Summary

As is often the case in his letters, Paul ends Galatians with a string of imperatives that practically apply the doctrines he presented earlier in the letter.

The Galatian Christians had been lied to: they'd been told that the needed to fulfill the law of Christ (v2) by adhering to Old Testament regulations made obsolete by the final sacrifice of Jesus.

This letter has reminded them (and us) that the true way to fulfill the law is by building up those around you, especially fellow members of the Church (v10).

You are to:

Gently restore those who've been tripped up by sin (v1)
Keep yourself from temptation (v1)
Help others carry their load (v2)
Build up those who teach (v6)
Keep at the hard work of doing good (v9-10)

Dig Deeper

CHRISTIANS ARE FREED FROM THE LAW, SO NOW YOU MUST FOLLOW THE LAW: That headline seems contradictory, but yet it captures the theme of Paul's letter to the Galatians.

Paul has emphasized over and over that Christians are saved by by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and not by trying to follow religious rules and regulations. Now he suddenly tells us "you will fulfill the law" (v2), and he wishes "peace upon all who follow this rule" (v16).

Remember to always keep a tension in your understanding of Christianity. For sure the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament can add nothing to a salvation that's already complete, so we can in good conscience set them aside.

But remember what you read yesterday, that your prime directive is to obey the truth (5:7), and that truth is the "law of Christ." When you accept sinful behavior as normal, whether it's your sin or the sin of another, you contribute to lies which mocks God, which He will not tolerate (6:7).

AAA Prayer:

ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God can not be mocked (v7) and is gathering His people into His church.
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask for the strength to sow to please the Spirit (v8), crucify the world (v14) and follow the law and rule of Christ (v2, 16).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: