Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself ( εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εἶναί τι μηδὲν ὤν φρεεναπατᾷ ἑαυτόν [Receptus, ἑαυτὸν φρεναπατᾷ ); for if a man is nothing and thinketh himself to be something , he is deceiving his own soul. The conjunction "for" points back to the practical direction just given to the "spiritual;" meaning that for those who wished to be, and also perhaps to be thought to be, fulfilling Christ's law, this was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:3

A warning against self-deceit. The high but false estimate that men may form of themselves is the great hindrance to this mutual burden-bearing. Consider— I. THE STRANGENESS OF SELF - DECEPTION . It is not remarkable that a man should be the dupe of others, but strange that he should be the dupe of himself. Yet there are many who think themselves to be something when they are nothing—partly from the want of self-knowledge; partly from the deceitfulness and pride of the human... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:3

The self-deception of self-conceit. A truism, yet such that, while everybody is ready to apply it to his neighbour, few are wise enough to take it home to themselves. By the very nature of the case it is always ignored where it fits most aptly. Hence the need of insisting upon it. I. THERE ARE STRONG INDUCEMENTS FOR FORMING AN UNDULY FAVOURABLE OPINION OF ONE 'S SELF . Self-knowledge is a difficult acquisition. We cannot get the right perspective. The effort... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:4

But let every man prove his own work ( τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἑαυτοπῦ δοκιμαζέτω ἕκαστος ); but his own work let each man bringing to the proof. "His own work;" his own actual conduct. Both "work" and "his own" are weighted with emphasis; "work," as practical behaviour contrasted with professions or self-illusions; "his own," as contrasted with these others with whom one is comparing himself to find matter for self-commendation. "Be bringing to the proof;" that is, testing his actual life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:4

The necessity of testing our work. "But let each one prove his own work." It is not a mere call to self-examination, though that is a commanded duty which tends to deepen the sense of our infirmity and our need of a higher strength; it is a call to prove, not himself, but his work—for there is a sort of introspection which might only foster his self-importance; but a powerful check is provided by a rigorous account being taken of "work." The self-deception is mainly subjective; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:5

For every man shall bear his own burden ( ἕκαστος γὰρ τὸ ἴδιον φορτίον βαστάσει ); for each man shall carry his own pack. A man's business is with his own pack; and all depends upon his carrying that , not putting it down. This "pack" ( φορτίον ) is the whole of the duties for the discharge of which each man is responsible. It is thus that the image is employed by our Lord ( Matthew 11:30 ), "My yoke is easy, and my pack is light." So also in Matthew 23:4 , "For they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:5

Our own individual burden. "For each one shall bear his own burden." He is not called to glory in reference to his neighbour, for he has his own burden to carry. The "burdens" of the second verse point to the mutual sympathy; the "burden," or load, of this verse, to that burden which each one carries for himself and no one can carry for him. I. MARK THE INDIVIDUALITY OF EACH MAN 'S POSITION 1N God's SIGHT . Though God has set us in a wonderful scheme of human... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:6

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things ( κοινωνείτω δὲ ὁ κατηχούμενος τὸν λόγον τῷ κατηχοῦντι ἐν πᾶσιν ἀγαθοῖς ); let him that is receiving instruction in the Word share with him that instructeth in all good things. The Authorized Version appears to have exercised sound discretion in leaving the particle δὲ untranslated. It is, in fact, here merely a conjunction of transition: not in any degree adversative; for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:6

The duty of supporting the ministry. "But let him who is being instructed in the Word communicate with him that teacheth in all good things." The apostle bad spoken of burdens, but he did not mean to exempt the Galatians from the burden of supporting their teachers. Perhaps they were niggardly—for Gaulish avarice was a proverb—and it was necessary to teach them their duty. I. THIS PASSAGE IMPLIES THAT THERE IS AN ORDER OF MINISTERS IN THE CHURCH . If the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:6-10

The seed-time of philanthropy. Paul has just spoken of the most delicate and precious form of philanthropy—that which deals with a brother's sins. And now he passes on to speak, just for a moment, of the duty which the Galatians owe to their spiritual teachers. They are pre-eminently the unburdeners of men's hearts; they undertake as life's chief work the ministering to minds diseased. Let them be considered, therefore, and receive all good things from those they serve. But he passes on to... read more

Group of Brands