Sinners Helping Sinners.

Galatians 6:1 (NIV),

¹ Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Paul now moves to another area of what it means to walk in the Spirit.  In the previous Blog we saw that Paul believes that walking in the Spirit produces humility and peace.  In this verse we can readily see that walking in the Spirit also creates a climate of restoration. We note that this is addressed to the whole Church.  It could easy to think that this was a leadership responsibility.  

The NIV correctly interprets the phrase "you who are spiritual" to avoid an idea of spiritual elitism, but rather those who exude the fruits of the Spirit. "The adjective “spiritual” means “living and walking according to the Holy Spirit” (see 5:16; also 1 Cor. 2:15; 3:1; 14:37) and includes, but is not limited to, the qualities listed in Gal. 5:22–23." [1]

The "fault" spoken of here is not a willful premeditated sin.  This is a incident that can be described as "sudden temptation seized him unawares before he could escape . . . falling beside, a trespass, a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness." [2].  This is a lapse of judgment that entraps an individual and they need to be restored.

The word to be "restored" is word katartizō. It refers to fixing, mending, setting in place. It's a similar verb used of setting a broken bone. "The present imperative signifies to keep on having the habit of restoring the offender to his former condition." [2] This means that it is the attitude and the habit of Spirit-filled Christians to be about the business of restoring fallen brothers and sisters.  

"Forasmuch then as the saints in this life do not only live in the flesh, but now and then also through the enticement of the devil, fulfil the lust of the flesh, that is to say, fall into impatiency, envy, wrath, error, doubting, distrust, and such-like (for Satan always assaileth both, that is, as well the purity of doctrine, which he laboureth to take away by sects and dissensions, as also the soundness of life, which he corrupteth with daily faults and offences); therefore Paul teacheth how such men that are fallen should be dealt withal, namely, that they which are strong, should raise up and restore them again with the spirit of meekness." [3]

People who are led by the Spirit are not perfect.  They too are susceptible to sin and temptation.  So it behooves them to take great care while they are busy in the ministry of restoration.  "Those who live by the Spirit should restore those who sin with the gentleness and humility of the Spirit." [4]  They must do so "lest they be tempted."  "'There is no sin (saith Augustine) which any man hath done, but another man may do the same.' We stand on a slippery ground; therefore if we wax proud and leave off our duty, there is nothing so easy unto us as to fall." [3]  “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12, NIV).

So Spirit-filled people not only exhibit humility and peace-able-ness, but they in fact live with a mindset of restoring their brothers and sisters who get caught in a fault. But they do that with a gentleness and meekness, a lack of self-confidence and sufficiency that keeps them aware of their own weaknesses -- sometimes very much the same as the one who has fallen.

Father, I come to You as one who has been culturally honed to "live and let live".   It is not my default position to push my way into other's lives.  To butt in.  To interfere.  I am deeply challenged by this passage that teaches me that part of my loving, Spirit-inspired response to my brothers and sisters is to provide aid and encouragement when they get blind-sided by their own flesh and weakness. How I am to do it requires a huge amount of grace from You, Father.  I am as well to butt out if I go to them in pride and self-exaltation. Sinners are to help sinners.  Grant me eyes to see the fallen.  Grant me a will to restore the fallen.  Grant me grace to help the fallen.  Grant me humility to acknowledge that I am at times the fallen and I need help.  Amen!

 

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

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2399). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

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

4. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 6:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.