Gal 6:1-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 6:1-10: 6:1-10 Living by the Spirit (5:13–6:10 ) results in doing good (6:1-5 ) and reaping rewards from one’s work (6:6-10 ). Summary for Gal 6:1-5: 6:1-5 Paul outlines how to treat other Christians with love when they sin. 6:1 Perhaps some of the Galatians were proud of their obedience to the law or their spiritual freedom and willpower. But those who are truly godly are not proud of their accomplishments but humbly help others. • be careful: We are all susceptible to the same temptation to sin (Rom 3:9-20 ).

Summary for Gal 6:1-10: 6:1-10 ^a Living by the Spirit (5:13–6:10 ^b) results in doing good (6:1-5 ^c) and reaping rewards from one’s work (6:6-10 ^d).
Summary for Gal 6:1-5: 6:1-5 ^e Paul outlines how to treat other Christians with love when they sin. 6:1 ^f Perhaps some of the Galatians were proud of their obedience to the law or their spiritual freedom and willpower. But those who are truly godly are not proud of their accomplishments but humbly help others.

• be careful: We are all susceptible to the same temptation to sin (Rom 3:9-20 ^g).
6:2 ^h Carrying each other’s burdens (6:1 ⁱ) fulfills the law of Christ to love one another (5:13-14 ^j; see also Lev 19:18 ^k; Matt 22:36-40 ^l; John 13:34 ^m; 15:12 ⁿ; 1 Jn 3:23 ^o).
6:3 ^p Those with a proud attitude wrongly assume they are too important to help the weak (see study note on 6:1).
6:4 ^q Instead of regarding ourselves as better than others, we should examine our own work and ensure that we obey Christ in everything (cp. 1 Cor 3:12-15 ^r).
6:5 ^s If believers carry their own load (6:4 ^t), they will have no occasion to treat a brother or sister with contempt (6:3 ^u).
Summary for Gal 6:6-10: 6:6-10 ^v In financially supporting those who teach them God’s message (6:6 ^w), believers harvest a spiritual crop. 6:6 ^x Supporting Christian teachers applies 5:13 ^y and 6:2 ^z (cp. 1 Tim 5:17-18 ^aa).
6:7 ^ab you cannot mock the justice of God: God cannot be fooled by spiritual pretenses. All people will harvest the consequences of their actions (what you plant; see also Job 4:8 ^ac; Ps 126:5 ^ad; Prov 22:8 ^ae; Hos 8:7 ^af; 10:12-15 ^ag; Luke 19:21-23 ^ah; 1 Cor 3:12-15 ^ai; 9:11 ^aj; 2 Cor 9:6 ^ak).
6:8 ^al Living to please the Spirit is only possible in the Spirit’s power (3:3 ^am; 5:16 ^an). Those who trust in human effort and those who think they can do as they wish are in the same position: They live to satisfy their own sinful nature. Such people harvest decay and death. Those who live by the Spirit’s power and trust in God will harvest everlasting life.
6:9 ^ao Let’s not get tired: Either by letting sinful behavior creep in or by grasping for a legal code of conduct rather than being in step with the Spirit (5:25 ^ap).

• At just the right time we will reap: This assurance is a source of strength for Christians to continue doing good work (cp. Rom 8:28 ^aq).

• if we don’t give up: The fulfillment of God’s promises to believers requires their steadfast perseverance in faith (see also Luke 18:1 ^ar; 2 Cor 4:1 ^as).
6:10 ^at Therefore: This statement forms an inclusio (bookends) for the section (5:13–6:10 ^au) by stating the same theme as 5:13 ^av: Freedom in the Spirit compels us to do good to others in love.

• Doing good to those in the family of faith demonstrates God’s faithfulness to his children: He provides for all their needs.