King James Version
Galatians 6:3
3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Galatians 6:3 in other versions
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Context of Galatians 6:3
1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For every man shall bear his own burden.
Read all of Galatians 6Galatians 6:3 word by word
εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εἶναί τι μηδὲν ὤν, φρεναπατᾷ ἑαυτόν·Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Galatians 6:3
- Galatians 2:6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
- Proverbs 25:14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
- Proverbs 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
- Romans 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- 1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 3:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
- 2 Corinthians 12:11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
- 2 Timothy 3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
- James 1:22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- 1 John 1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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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Commentaries