| 1 | Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct
or
sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right
and
restore
and
reinstate him, without any sense of superiority
and
with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. |
| 2 | Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens
and
[a]troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill
and
observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah)
and
complete
[b]what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. |
| 3 | For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives
and
deludes
and
cheats himself. |
| 4 | But let every person carefully scrutinize
and
examine
and
test his own conduct
and
his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction
and
joy of doing something commendable [
[c]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor. |
| 5 | For every person will have to bear (
[d]be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [
[e]little] load
[f][of oppressive faults]. |
| 6 | Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]. |
| 7 | Do not be deceived
and
deluded
and
misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked
[g]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that
and
[h]that only is what he will reap. |
| 8 | For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay
and
ruin
and
destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. |
| 9 | And let us not lose heart
and
grow weary
and
faint in acting nobly
and
doing right, for in due time
and
at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen
and
relax our courage
and
faint. |
| 10 | So then, as occasion
and
opportunity open up to us, let us do good [
[i]morally] to all people [not only
[j]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers]. |
| 11 | See with what large letters I am writing with my own hand. [
[k]Mark carefully these closing words of mine.] |
| 12 | Those who want to make a good impression
and
a fine show in the flesh would try to compel you to receive circumcision, simply so that they may escape being persecuted for allegiance to the cross of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). |
| 13 | For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised in order that they may glory in your flesh (your subjection to external rites). |
| 14 | But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! |
| 15 | For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]. |
| 16 | Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God! |
| 17 | From now on let no person trouble me [by
[l]making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me]! |
| 18 | The grace (spiritual favor, blessing) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) be with your spirit, brethren. Amen (so be it). |
Cross references:
-
Galatians 6:16 : Ps. 125:5.
|