Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
The young man had trained diligently all year for this high school cross-country race. His hard work was realized as he was one of the first runners nearing the finish line. Two teenage boys from the opposing track team were trailing close behind. With victory only ten feet away, the young man lost his balance and toppled forward onto the grass as he watched the two competitors zip past him. Sadl,y accepting his inevitable loss, he was confused when he saw the two boys stop just short of the finish line, turn the opposite direction, and come running back toward him. They scooped him up, one on either side, and helped carry him across the finish line. His fall could have ensured their victory. They could have proudly gloated over their competitor, receiving their glistening trophies as the crowd cheered their names. Instead, they laid aside their fleeting moment of triumph to help a fellow runner finish his race. Their story has been shared worldwide on various platforms, including the popular ABC news show, “Good Morning America.” [1]
In Galatians 6, Paul addresses a scenario in which a believer has fallen into sin and how his fellow believers should respond:
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load (Galatians 6:1-5, ESV).
Upon first reading this passage, I thought it sounded contradictory when it says “bear one another’s burdens” in verse 2, and then in verse 5 says, “each will have to bear his own load.” But God’s word never contradicts itself, so I decided to study a little deeper. Additionally, Paul’s writing often contains paradoxical sayings in order to incite further investigation.
Many have interpreted this passage to insinuate that being “spiritual” (v. 1) means taking on the mantle of what I call the “sin police,” thinking it their duty to point out the failures of others while patting themselves on the back for not doing the same deplorable things (or at least for not getting caught doing the same things), allowing the demise of their fellow race-runners to make them feel spiritually superior. However, they neglect to finish reading the sentence… “restore him in a spirit of gentleness” or “meekness” (KJV).
The word restore in Greek is also used in referring to a dislocated limb and the tenderness with which we should help a fellow brother or sister by restoring them to a better place. [2] It is a given that we are not to overlook our fallen co-runners in their moment of weakness. However, it’s one thing to lend a hand in their restoration while keeping in mind that we have also fallen at times; it’s another thing to simply point out their misstep while leaping over them to apprehend a glittering trophy.
The difference between the bearing of another’s burdens (literally, “weights”) in verse 2 and the bearing of one’s own burden (a different Greek word, “load”) in verse 5 is this: “‘weights’ exceed the strength of those under them; ‘burden’ is proportioned to the strength.” [2] Paul states that when we help each other carry the weight of life’s overwhelming circumstances, we fulfill the law of Christ – “For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:14-15, LEB).
Paul isn’t insinuating that we try to do everything ourselves while also policing everyone else. He is echoing the commands of Jesus that we love one another just as He has loved us (John 15:12). Jesus also asks us to lay down that which is too heavy for us to bear (including the role of judge and jury): “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
What is the burden Jesus asks us to carry? It is the burden that is proportionate to the strength he gives us through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and it is summed up in one word: love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
[1] Based on a true story: “High school cross-country runners help fallen competitor cross finish line l GMA” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8-7HHFfI0Y
[2]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 338.
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