Amplified Bible
Galatians 6:3
3For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.
Galatians 6:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- New International Version (NIV)If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Context of Galatians 6:3
1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself. 4But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. 5For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].
Read all of Galatians 6Galatians 6:3 word by word
εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εἶναί τι μηδὲν ὤν, φρεναπατᾷ ἑαυτόν·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Galatians 6:3
- Galatians 2:6But from those who were of high reputation (whatever they were—in terms of individual importance—makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality—He is not impressed with the positions that people hold nor does He recognize distinctions such as fame or power)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me [that is, they had nothing to add to my gospel message nor did they impose any new requirements on me].
- Proverbs 25:14Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts [he does not give].
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood [ostentatiously] and began praying to himself [in a self-righteous way, saying]: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—swindlers, unjust (dishonest), adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- Romans 12:3For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know.
- 1 Corinthians 13:2And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 3:5Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11Now I have become foolish; you have forced me [by questioning my apostleship]. Actually I should have been commended by you [instead of being treated disdainfully], for I was not inferior to those super-apostles, even if I am nobody.
- 2 Timothy 3:13But evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
- James 1:22But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].
- 1 John 1:8If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.]
Commentaries on Galatians 6:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3If a man think himself to be something - i.e. To be a proper Christian man; when he is nothing; being destitute of that charity which beareth, hopeth, and endureth all things. See 1 Corinthians 13:1, etc. Those who suppose themselves to excel all others in piety, understanding, etc., while they are harsh, censorious, and overbearing, prove that they have not the charity that thinketh no evil; and in the sight of God are only as sounding brass and a…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For if a man think himself to be something - see Galatians 5:26. This is designed, evidently, to be another reason why we should be kind and tender to those who have erred. It is, that even those who are most confident may fall. They who feel secure, and think it impossible that they should sin, are not safe. They may be wholly deceived, and may be nothing, when they have the highest estimate of themselves. They may themselves fall into sin, and have…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3People with a proud attitude wrongly think they are too important to help those who are weak (see study note on 6:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Self-conceit, the chief hindrance to forbearance and sympathy towards our fellow men, must be laid aside. something--possessed of some spiritual pre-eminence, so as to be exempt from the frailty of other men. when he is nothing--The Greek is subjective: "Being, if he would come to himself, and look on the real fact, nothing" [Alford] (Ga 6:2, 6; Ro 12:3; 1Co 8:2). deceiveth himself--literally, "he mentally deceives himself." Compare Jas 1:26…Read the comment
Topics related to Galatians 6:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Galatians 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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