Galatians 6:4

Galatians 6:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
• New International Version (NIV)Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
• English Standard Version (ESV)But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Context of Galatians 6:4

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]. 3For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself. But 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]. 6The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].

Galatians 6:4 word by word

τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἑαυτοῦ δοκιμαζέτω ἕκαστος, καὶ τότε εἰς ἑαυτὸν μόνον τὸ καύχημα ἕξει καὶ οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἕτερον·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• letδοκιμάζωdokimazō · to testG1381
• every manἕκαστοςhekastos · eachG1538
• his ownἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• workἔργονergon · workG2041
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• shall he haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• rejoicingκαύχημαkauchēma · prideG2745
• inεἰςeis · towardG1519
• aloneμόνοςmonos · aloneG3441
• notοὐou · noG3756
• anotherἕτεροςheteros · otherG2087

Cross-references for Galatians 6:4

• Job 13:15Even though He kills me; I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways to His face.
• Psalms 26:2Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my heart and my mind.
• 1 Corinthians 11:28But a person must [prayerfully] examine himself [and his relationship to Christ], and only when he has done so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
• 2 Corinthians 13:5Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?
• Proverbs 14:14The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].
• 1 Corinthians 4:3But [as for me personally] it matters very little to me that I may be judged by you or any human court [on this point]; in fact, I do not even judge myself.
• 2 Corinthians 1:12This is our [reason for] proud confidence: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [in general], and especially toward you, with pure motives and godly sincerity, not in human wisdom, but in the grace of God [that is, His gracious lovingkindness that leads people to Christ and spiritual maturity].
• 1 John 3:19By this we will know [without any doubt] that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart and quiet our conscience before Him
• Galatians 6:13For even the circumcised [Jews] themselves do not [really] keep the Law, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh [that is, in the fact that they convinced you to be circumcised].
• 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.
• 1 Corinthians 1:12Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:21So let no one boast in men [about their wisdom, or of having this or that one as a leader]. For all things are yours,
• 1 Corinthians 4:6Now I have applied these things [that is, the analogies about factions] to myself and Apollos for your benefit, believers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written [in Scripture], so that none of you will become arrogant and boast in favor of one [minister or teacher] against the other.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12But what I am doing I will keep doing, [for I am determined to keep this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things they brag about.

Commentaries on Galatians 6:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4But let every man prove - That is, try or examine in a proper manner. Let him form a proper estimate of what is due to himself, according to his real character. Let him compare himself with the word of God, and the infallible rule which he has given, and by which we are to be judged in the last great day; compare the Romans 12:3 note; 1 Corinthians 11:28 note; 2 Corinthians 13:5 note. His own work - What he does. Let him form a fair and impartial estimate…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4We should not think we are better than others. Instead, we should focus on our own actions and make sure we follow Christ in everything (see 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. his own work--not merely his own opinion of himself. have rejoicing in himself alone--Translate, "Have his (matter for) glorying in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another (namely, not in regard to his neighbor, by comparing himself with whom, he has fancied he has matter for boasting as that neighbor's superior)." Not that really a man by looking to "himself alone" is likely to find cause for glorying in himself. Nay, in Ga 6:5, he…Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 6:4

• Self-Examination
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Communicate
• Crucify
• Cutting
• Fault
• Overtake
• Reap
• Rejoicing
• Restore
• Eschatology of the New Testament
• Galatians, Epistle to the

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