Galatians 6

¹Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Watch yourself, so that you too are not tempted. ²Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴But let each person test his own work, and then he will have his ground for boasting in himself alone, and not in comparison with someone else. ⁵For each person will bear his own load.

⁶Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, that he will also reap. ⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap decay from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those of the household of faith.

¹¹See what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! ¹²Those who want to make a good showing in the flesh are the ones compelling you to be circumcised, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation. ¹⁶And as for all who will keep in step with this rule, peace and mercy upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Translation notes 6

6:1–5 — Restoration and burdens. “Caught” can mean detected in wrongdoing or overtaken by it. Paul moves from plural “you” to singular “watch yourself.” Verses 2 and 5 use different words for burdens and load, but their meanings overlap; the distinction should not be turned into a rigid rule about which difficulties deserve help. Verse 2 follows the future “you will fulfill,” rather than the imperative “fulfill.”

6:6–10 — Sharing, sowing, and reaping. Sharing good things includes material support for the teacher. The sowing and reaping image continues the flesh/Spirit contrast and connects present conduct with its outcome. “Decay” also conveys ruin or destruction here, set against eternal life. “Household of faith” retains the family image while the command explicitly extends to everyone.

6:11 — Large letters. Paul draws attention to his handwriting, probably in this closing portion. The statement does not establish that he had poor eyesight, nor does it identify precisely how much he wrote himself.

6:12–15 — Flesh and the cross. “Flesh” connects outward status, circumcision, and boasting in the converts' bodies. “Through which” in verse 14 refers to the cross; the Greek can also mean “through whom,” referring to Christ. “A new creation” can encompass the transformed person and the wider reality God brings about; neither is narrowed in the reading text.

6:16 — The Israel of God. “And upon” preserves the wording without deciding whether this names an additional group, such as Jewish believers, or describes the same community of believers just blessed. “Even upon” or “namely upon” expresses the latter interpretation. The identity of the group is disputed.

6:17–18 — Marks and spirit. The marks are most naturally scars from suffering in Jesus' service, functioning as signs of belonging to him. The text does not describe their shape. “Your spirit” is singular with a plural “your,” addressing the community in the closing blessing.