Tyndale Open Study NotesGalatians 6

Living by the Spirit (5:13–6:10) leads to doing good deeds (6:1–5) and receiving blessings from the good work we do (6:6–10).

Paul explains how to lovingly help other Christians when they make mistakes.

• Some of the Galatians may have felt proud about how well they followed the law of Moses or how strong their faith was. However, truly godly people do not boast about what they have done. Instead, they humbly help others.

• watch yourself: We can all be tempted to sin (Romans 3:9–20).

Helping each other with problems (6:1) follows Christ's command to love one another (5:13–14; see also Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:36–40; John 13:34; 15:12; 1 John 3:23).

People with a proud attitude wrongly think they are too important to help those who are weak (see study note on 6:1).

We 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).

If believers take responsibility for themselves (6:4), they will not treat others as if they are worth less than themselves (6:3).

When Christians financially support those who teach God's message (6:6), they gain spiritual benefits.

Supporting Christian teachers follows the guidance in 5:13 and 6:2 (see also 1 Timothy 5:17–18).

• God is not to be mocked: God cannot be deceived by people who only pretend to be spiritual. God knows what is truly in their hearts. Everyone will face the results of their actions.

• Whatever a man sows: see also Job 4:8; Psalms 126:5; Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; 10:12–15; Luke 19:21–23; 1 Corinthians 3:12–15; 9:11; 2 Corinthians 9:6.

Living to please the Spirit is only possible with the Spirit's power (3:3; 5:16). People who rely on their own efforts or do whatever they want are in the same situation: They live to satisfy their own sinful desires. These people will face decay and death. Those who live by the Spirit's power and trust in God will gain everlasting life.

• Let us not grow weary: Avoid letting sinful behavior sneak in or relying on strict rules instead of following the Spirit (5:25).

• for in due time we will reap a harvest: This promise encourages Christians to keep doing good work (see Romans 8:28).

• if we do not give up: God's promises to believers require them to keep their faith strong (see also Luke 18:1; 2 Corinthians 4:1).

• Therefore: This statement forms an inclusio that marks the beginning and end of this section (5:13–6:10), like two bookends that hold it together by repeating the theme from 5:13: Freedom in the Spirit urges us to do good to others with love.

• Doing good to those in the faith community shows God's faithfulness to his children. This action directly shows how God meets all their needs.

Paul picked up the writing tool from his amanuensis (secretary) and wrote a postscript himself. He did this to prove the letter was truly his and to make a final appeal.

Despite their theological arguments, the false teachers were self-serving. They wanted approval from non-Christian Jews and cared more about their reputation than honoring God.

• Unlike the false teachers mentioned in 6:12–13, Paul wanted to increase God's glory. He did not want to increase his own reputation. Boasting about following the law would take away from recognizing the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• In the Greco-Roman world, the cross seemed foolish to non-believers (5:11; 1 Corinthians 1:23; compare John 6:53–61). But it is the foundation of a Christian's faith and hope (1 Corinthians 1:17–18; 15:3; Philippians 2:8–11; Colossians 1:20–22; 2:14–15).

The Galatians misunderstood the good news about Jesus. A new creation comes through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, not by human effort (compare 2 Corinthians 5:16–17).

• This rule is trusting Jesus for salvation (6:14–15).

• even to the Israel of God: The Greek word kai is usually translated as "and." It can also mean "even." If it means "and," then the Israel of God is a different group from all who walk by this rule. If it means "even," then they are the same group.
  
  The Jewish people still have a special identity before God (Romans 9:1–5; 10:1–4; 11:1–32). Gentiles (non-Jewish people) who believe have been included, and Jews who do not believe have been removed from spiritual Israel (Romans 11:17–24; compare Philippians 3:2–3; Colossians 2:11–12). Paul sees all Christians as the true Israel (see Romans 2:28–29; 9:6–8; compare Galatians 4:21–31).
  
  The phrase the Israel of God is not found elsewhere in the New Testament or other writings. Perhaps false teachers promised this identity to Gentiles who accepted circumcision. If so, Paul shows why their argument was wrong: The non-Jewish Christians in Galatia did not need circumcision, as they were already God's Israel—his true people—through faith in Christ.

• let no one cause me trouble: No one has the right to criticize Paul or his message because he is a proven servant of Jesus.

• Paul's scars (in Greek stigmata) likely came from the severe persecution he experienced as a servant of Jesus (see Acts 14:19; 2 Corinthians 6:4–10; 11:21–33). Unlike the physical mark of circumcision that false teachers in Galatia wanted to force on non-Jewish Christians, Paul's scars from suffering showed he was truly the servant of Jesus (compare Exodus 21:6).

Paul prayed at the end of this letter just as he did at the start (1:3–4). The Galatians needed the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with their spirit more than they needed the law.