Carry The Burden of Others. Carry Your Own

Galatians 6:2–5 (NIV),

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load.

"And to love is not . . . to wish well one to another, but one to bear another’s burdens, that is, to bear those things which be grievous unto thee, and which thou wouldest not willingly bear. Therefore Christians must have strong shoulders and mighty bones, that they may bear flesh, that is, the weakness of their brethren: for Paul saith, that they have burdens and troubles." [1]

"Have the habit of mutual burden-bearing. Lend a helping hand by lifting heavy loads. Burdens (Gr baros) is an overload which we can lighten, a weight too heavy for the individual and capable of being shared with others of the fellowship." [2]  It is this that fulfills the Law of Christ.  "The “law of Christ” in a broad sense means the entire body of ethical teaching that Jesus gave and endorsed (see note on 1 Cor. 9:21), but in a specific sense here it probably refers to the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matt. 22:39; John 13:34), which, if followed fully, will result in obeying the rest of God’s moral law (Rom. 13:8–10)." [3]

"Love therefore is mild, courteous, patient, not in receiving, but in giving; for it is constrained to wink at many things, and to bear them." [1] This is then another aspect of life in the Spirit.  This is walking by the Spirit.  

"To this, the Apostle adds two warnings that will keep us from fulfilling this command.  The first is conceit, that is, thinking himself to be more important than he is . . . "The second error that might keep a believer from bearing the burdens of another Christian is to be always comparing himself and his own work with others. This can be harmful both in a positive sense ("I am doing better than they are"—the very conceit Paul has just warned against) and in a negative sense ("I am unable to do anything; everyone else is much better")." [4]

The antidote to both of these problems is to evaluate your own responsibilities. "Thus it ought not to be, saith he, but let every man be faithful in his office: let him not seek his own glory, nor depend upon the praise and commendation of the people, but let his only care be to do his work truly, that is, let him teach the Gospel purely. And if his work be sincere and sound, let him assure himself that he shall lack no praise 2 either before God or among the godly." [5]

"To use others as a norm is a kind of escape. When a Christian has his eyes on God rather than on other Christians, then in his own eyes he will at best be an unprofitable servant (Luke 17:10) and God himself will receive glory (2Cor 10:12-18)." [4]

“For each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:5, NIV). "And this moreover is to be noted, that we are not here in the matter of justification, where nothing availeth but mere grace and forgiveness of sins, which is received by faith alone, where all our works also, yea even our best works, and such as are done according to God’s calling, have need of forgiveness of sins, because we do them not perfectly. But this is another case. He treateth not here of the remission of sins, but compareth true works and hypocritical works together." [6] "There is no contradiction between verses 2 and 5; different Greek words are translated “burden.” In verse 2 the word is the Greek baros and denotes a heavy, crushing, overtaxing weight; our extra load, which can and must be relieved. Here in verse 5 the word is the Greek phortion and is used to designate a pack carried by a soldier. It is the word used by Christ to describe the burden He lays on His disciples (Mt 11:30), which He says is light." [2]

Father God, the ease which I have to look at others and compare -- judge, is astounding.  Oh that when it came to the evaluation of others I would be found with serious eye defects.  At the same time I ask for the ability to see and discern those who are truly in need and are inwardly crying for a brother to come alongside and help them life their heavy load.  Block the sinful, prideful, vision of judgment and condemnation.  Grant clearer vision to those who are in need.  This too is a true characteristic of Spirit-filled living.  My flesh longs to compare and feel sorry for itself.  The Spirit pushes me to personal responsibility and to live out the law of Christ.  May it be so today, Lord Jesus.  Work in me this proper evaluation that brings glory to You and relief to my brothers and sisters.  For Christ's sake.  Amen.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:2). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2400). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2255). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

4. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/D. Two Practical Exhortations (6:1-10)/1. Bearing one another's burdens (6:1-5), Book Version: 4.0.2

5. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:4). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

6. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:5). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.