Galatians Introduction, HQ Bible Study Team
LET US DO GOOD TO ALL PEOPLE
Passage: Galatians 6:1~18  
Key verse: 10a
Doing Good to All
6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit(A) should restore(B) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(C) 3 If anyone thinks they are something(D) when they are not, they deceive themselves.(E) 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,(F) without comparing themselves to someone else,(G) 5 for each one should carry their own load.(H) 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.(I)
7 Do not be deceived:(J) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.(K) 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh,(L) from the flesh will reap destruction;(M) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.(N) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good,(O) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(P) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(Q) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(R) of believers.
Not Circumcision but the New Creation
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!(S)
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh(T) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.(U) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted(V) for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,(W) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.(X) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,(Y) through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.(Z) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;(AA) what counts is the new creation.(AB) 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks(AC) of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ(AD) be with your spirit,(AE) brothers and sisters. Amen.
Footnotes
- Galatians 6:14 Or whom
- Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to
Cross references
- Galatians 6:1 : 1Co 2:15; 3:1
- Galatians 6:1 : S Mt 18:15; S 2Co 2:7
- Galatians 6:2 : 1Co 9:21; Jas 2:8
- Galatians 6:3 : Ro 12:3; 1Co 8:2
- Galatians 6:3 : 1Co 3:18
- Galatians 6:4 : 2Co 13:5
- Galatians 6:4 : 2Co 10:12
- Galatians 6:5 : ver 2; Jer 31:30
- Galatians 6:6 : 1Co 9:11, 14; 1Ti 5:17, 18
- Galatians 6:7 : S 1Co 6:9
- Galatians 6:7 : Pr 22:8; Jer 34:17; Hos 10:12, 13; 2Co 9:6
- Galatians 6:8 : S Gal 5:24
- Galatians 6:8 : Job 4:8; Hos 8:7; S Ro 6:23
- Galatians 6:8 : Jas 3:18
- Galatians 6:9 : 1Co 15:58; 2Co 4:1
- Galatians 6:9 : Job 42:12; Ps 126:5; Heb 12:3; Rev 2:10
- Galatians 6:10 : Pr 3:27; S Tit 2:14
- Galatians 6:10 : Eph 2:19; 1Pe 4:17
- Galatians 6:11 : S 1Co 16:21
- Galatians 6:12 : Mt 23:25, 26
- Galatians 6:12 : Ac 15:1
- Galatians 6:12 : Gal 5:11
- Galatians 6:13 : Ro 2:25
- Galatians 6:13 : Php 3:3
- Galatians 6:14 : 1Co 2:2
- Galatians 6:14 : S Ro 6:2, 6
- Galatians 6:15 : S 1Co 7:19
- Galatians 6:15 : S 2Co 5:17
- Galatians 6:17 : Isa 44:5; S 2Co 1:5; 11:23
- Galatians 6:18 : S Ro 16:20
- Galatians 6:18 : Php 4:23; 2Ti 4:22; Phm 25
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Source:  BibleGateway
Paul gave instructions to the Galatian Christians as to how they could do good to others, and thus fulfill the law of Christ-to love one another. If a brother or sister sins, they should be restored gently. But they should take care not to fall into temptation themselves. Believers should carry each other's burdens. Believers shouldn't think too highly of themselves but instead test their own actions. Only then can they take pride in themselves. This means we should openly share the work that God has done in our lives. These rules apply equally to us today.
2. Only boast in the cross of Christ (11-18)
Paul gave one last jab at the Judaizers. What counts is not circumcision. That is nothing. The Judaizers knew that. They were just looking for ways to boast that they had followers. But Paul only boasted in the cross of Jesus Christ. Through the cross of Christ, Paul (and all believers) were crucified to sin and to the law. They were united with Jesus Christ into a new, resurrected life. What matters is the new creation we become through Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me a new creation. Help me to do good to your people.
One Word: Do good to all people