Exposition
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
- Overtaken - προλαμβάνω - detected, caught in the act
- Tresspas - παράπτωμα - lapse or deviation from uprightness
- Restore - καταρτίζω - mend, strengthen
- Charitable Reference
- Constructive Response
This is possibly one of the most charitable references to a person sinning in all of the Bible. It isn’t ‘lenient’, but it is helpful and understanding. The ideal response to a trespass in the life of a Christian is to kindly, and constructively, help them back to the straight and narrow, not to pontificate upon the foolishness of their error. Tresspass is used only here in the New Testament, a 'hapax legomenon'.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- Burdens - βάρος - a heavy weight, more than one can bear
- Fulfill - ἀναπληρόω - fill up, like ‘fill up an empty glass with water’
- Unbearable Burden
- Unexpected Filling
'Burdens' indicates expectations of perfection that none will bear without fault. The verse indicates that Christians are actually following the law by encouraging each other in righteous living rather than drawing back from those who may be failing.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- Deceives - φρεναπατάω - deceive someone’s mind
You can actually beguile your own mind!
The heavy weight is something we all deal with. So if any one of us thinks he has ‘arrived’, that person is beguiling his own mind.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
- Examine - δοκιμάζω - scrutinize for genuiness
- Rejoicing - καύχημα - grounds for boasting
Inward Appraisal
In other words, our appraisal should be inward so that we know we are genuine rather than feeling righteous because we are ‘better-than-so-and-so’.
5 For each one shall bear his own load.
- Load - φορτίον - in combination with ‘own - ἴδιος‘ - a load that one person can and should carry
Appropriate Load
The term 'load' suggests the internal struggle against sin that each must bear. It is right, proper, and correct for us to carry this load of self-appraisal.
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Flipping to the Practical Side
There is a slight change of subject here, but it hinges on what Paul has been talking about. We have spiritual leaders, preachers, teachers, and so forth, because we all need constructive instruction in holy living, which is what is in view in the word ‘restore’ in verse 1. This turns the situation around the other way to look at how we should all share in the work of the Lord together. Thus, the learner should be a blessing to the teacher in other ways. This speaks of monetary and other support type ‘sharing’ among the brethren.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
- Support the Saving of Souls
- Support Restoration
Building on the idea of financial support, the illustration of sowing seed is used. When we share among one another in the church, providing the support the church needs, it should lead to the saving of souls. Thus, we must be diligent to support those who are doing what verse 1-5 has described.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
- Grow Weary - ἐκκακέω - become utterly spiritless
- Lose Heart - ἐκλύω - become exhausted - passive tense
The English construction here due to the passive tense is: 'in due season, not becoming exhausted, we shall reap'
- Spiritual Energy
- Seasonal Harvest
I can tell you from experience that staying close to the Lord gives you energy. Human beings will exhaust themselves trying to do Christian works in the flesh. For example, giving to the Lord faithfully in tithes and offerings is something we do in the Spirit, the flesh will get tired of it. Serving the Lord in some capacity in the church will get tiring (not just physically tiring) if we do it in the flesh.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
- Opportunity - καιρός - season
This is the same as ‘season’ in the previous verse.
- Provided Opportunity
- Clear Priority
Knowing that we will reap a harvest, let’s take advantage of the ‘seasons’ that the Lord gives to us. There is a time for reaping and a time for sowing, but we keep at it. We should do good to everyone, but Christians are our top priority.