Galatians 6: 1-10
To what extent should a believer bear the burdens of the other?
Source
In the final part of his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul presents a series of principles that should govern our relationships in the church.
First of all, as Christians we must remember that we are part of a family. Anything that happens to one of the members will affect the others. Do we know of a brother or sister in Christ who is going through a temptation?
We can not see this situation with indifference or apathy. If something happens to that person and he does not count on our moral and spiritual support, he is likely to never be restored to faith. The spirit of meekness to which Paul refers in verse 1 is an essential characteristic of spiritual Christians.
Meekness is not an inferiority complex. It is a correct evaluation of one's own qualities and weaknesses and also of the possibilities of success or failure.
No one should believe himself superior to others, especially in regard to the Christian life, because we are all human and subject to the same weaknesses as others.
Many Christians today are serving the Lord because others were willing to bear their burdens in times of trial and pain. Who does not know what a word of encouragement or a kind hand means in times of uncertainty and anguish?
There is no doubt that in the concepts of verses 1 and 2 of Galatians 6 there is the essence of "the law of Christ". He is a compassionate savior who approaches the needy, pities him, and raises him completely.
Between verses 2 and 5 there is no contradiction. In 2 Paul recommends that some bear the burdens of others while in 5 he declares: "each one will bear his own burden", but both instructions are right. They are two different words in the Greek that translate "carga" in Spanish. In verse 2 the word means "problems, trials, difficulties". We must help each other with these. But in verse 5 the word translated "burden" means "responsibility". And there are responsibilities that nobody else can take but only the right person.
Each believer has received from the Lord something special assigned and has to fulfill it in the best possible way.
No one can take from another the privilege of serving God personally.
Paul says: "Each one should test his own work". The phrase "put to the test" is the translation of a Greek expression related to metals. As Christians we want our deeds to be legitimate and our intentions pure so as not to work in vain.
Paul wants us to know that we can not excuse ourselves in the weaknesses and failures of others to not obey the word of God. If he has given us more talents than others, he will also require more from us than from them.
The test to which we must submit our actions has nothing to do with those of our brothers. The one who has to prove our work is the one to whom we will have to give an account one day.