In this final chapter Paul summarised much of what he had written in the previous chapters. He wanted the believers in Galatia to walk in victory and not return to the legalism being advocated by the false teachers. The latter wanted the believers to become “real believers” by becoming Jews first, especially by urging the believers to be circumcised. Paul saw that as a denial of the gospel message.

Paul had written that believers were to follow the command to “love their neighbour”, 5:6, 13, 14. In this chapter he outlined how that might happen in practice.

Paul concluded the epistle by contrasting the self-seeking motives of the false teachers with his own motives. The false teachers wanted to see the believers “marked” with the mark of circumcision to show how they had influenced the Galatians to follow their teaching. By contrast Paul wrote that he was already marked. He was marked with scars. These were the scars that came from being persecuted for his faith in Jesus.

A).     HELPING OTHERS, BUT NOT BURDENING THEM.  6:1-5

i).  Believers were to help one another walk in victory. (1)  Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

ii).  But they were to be careful not to get trapped in sin themselves. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

iii). Believers were to bear each other’s burdens without unlovingly “dumping stuff” on fellow believers. (2)  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil 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 neighbour. (5)  For each will have to bear his own load.

B).    DOING GOOD TO EVERYONE.  6:6-10

i).   Doing good to teachers. (6)  One who is taught the word must 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.

ii).  Doing good brings blessing. (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.

iii).  Doing good to everyone as occasion arises. (10)  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone,

iv).  Doing good especially to brothers and sisters in Christ. and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 C).    A PERSONAL NOTE. 6:11

Paul adds this personal note to show how concerned he was for the believers in Galatia. This had to go out with his personal touch and not by the less personal hand of an amanuensis. (11)  See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

 D).    CONTRASTING FLESH AND SPIRIT. FALSE TEACHERS AND PAUL. 6:12-18

i).   The wrong motivation of the false teachers.  (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.

ii).  The hypocrisy of the false teachers. (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.

iii). The right motivation of Paul. (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.

iv).  The necessity of the new creation in Christ. (15)  For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

v).  The blessing of God on faithful believers. (16)  And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

vi). Paul was a marked man. He was not referring to the marks of circumcision. Rather his marks came from being persecuted. He suffered because he was not ashamed of the cross. (The false teachers were!)  (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.

(Please note that outlines of the previous chapters may be found by clicking on these links.  Chapters 1,  2,  3,  4, 5.

Blog No. 094. Jim Holbeck. Posted on Thursday 20^th September 2012