Galatians 6:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 6:1-10

The apostle having, in the foregoing chapter, exhorted Christians by love to serve one another (Gal. 5:13), and also cautioned us (Gal. 5:16) against a temper which, if indulged, would hinder us from showing the mutual love and serviceableness which he had recommended, in the beginning of this chapter he proceeds to give some further directions, which, if duly observed, would both promote the one and prevent the other of these, and render our behaviour both more agreeable to our Christian... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 6:1-5

6:1-5 Brothers, if a man is caught out in some moral slip-up, you whose lives are dominated by the Spirit must correct such a man with the spirit of gentleness, and, as you do it, you must think about yourselves, in case you too should be tempted. Carry one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For, if anyone thinks of himself as important while he is of no importance, he is deceiving himself with the fancies of his mind. Let every man test his own work, and then any ground of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something ,.... Of himself; to have anything of himself, to do anything of himself, and of himself to attain to life and salvation: when he is nothing : of himself; not even as a creature, but owes his being and preservation, and all the mercies of life, to another, even to God; has no grace nor gifts of himself, but what he has received, and can do no good thing, not think a good thought, or perform a good action, of himself, and much less of himself... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:3

If a man think himself to be something - i.e. To be a proper Christian man; when he is nothing; being destitute of that charity which beareth, hopeth, and endureth all things. See 1 Corinthians 13:1 , etc. Those who suppose themselves to excel all others in piety, understanding, etc., while they are harsh, censorious, and overbearing, prove that they have not the charity that thinketh no evil; and in the sight of God are only as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. There are no people... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:3

Verse 3 3.For if a man think himself. There is an ambiguity in the construction, but Paul’s meaning is clear. The phrase, When he is nothing, appears at first view to mean, “if any person, who is in reality nothing, claims to be something;” as there are many men of no real worth who are elated by a foolish admiration of themselves. But the meaning is more general, and may be thus expressed: “Since all men are nothing, he who wishes to appear something, and persuades himself that he is somebody,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:1-5

The restoration of the erring. The walk in the Spirit, which eschews vain-glory and envy, further manifests itself in consideration for the erring. The sins of others become our concern, and we anxiously seek how we can best have them restored. Here, then, is a burden which Christians have not undertaken as earnestly and sympathetically as they ought to have done; it is the burden of sin which weighs on other people's hearts. I. THE PREPARATION FOR DEALING WITH OTHER ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:1-5

Treatment of a fallen brother. I. CHRISTIAN WAY OF TREATING A FALLEN BROTHER . 1 . It is our duty to restore him. "Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted." This subject arises out of the warning against vain-glory at the close of the last chapter. When a vain-glorious spirit possesses a society, some provoke as superiors, and others are filled... read more

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

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