Galatians 6:2 kjv
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 nkjv
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 niv
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 esv
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 nlt
Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gal 6:2 | Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. | Fulfilling love |
| John 13:34 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. | Commandment of love |
| John 15:12 | This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. | Love as Christ loved |
| Rom 15:1 | We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak. | Bearing weakness |
| 1 Cor 12:26 | If one member suffers, all suffer together. | Unity in suffering |
| 2 Cor 1:4 | comfort you in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those. | Comforting others |
| Gal 5:14 | For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, you shall love your neighbor. | Love as fulfillment |
| Eph 4:2 | with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. | Bearing with gentleness |
| Phil 2:4 | Let each of you look not to his own interests, but each of you to the interests of others. | Selflessness |
| Phil 2:7 | but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant. | Christ's example of service |
| Phil 4:14 | Nevertheless, you were right to share with me in my trouble. | Sharing in troubles |
| Col 3:13 | bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other. | Forgiveness and bearing |
| 1 Thess 5:14 | encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. | Encouraging the weak |
| Heb 12:1 | let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance. | Laying aside burdens |
| Heb 13:16 | Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have. | Sharing blessings |
| 1 Pet 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. | Love covers sins |
| 1 John 3:16 | By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us. | Christ's love as sacrifice |
| 1 John 4:11 | Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. | Reciprocal love |
| 1 John 4:7 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. | Love originates from God |
| James 5:20 | let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering. | Restoring a sinner |
Galatians 6 verses
Galatians 6 2 Meaning
Fulfill the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. This is not about the law of Moses, but the law of love established by Christ. It calls for mutual support and empathy within the Christian community.
Galatians 6 2 Context
This verse is part of the closing exhortations in the Epistle to the Galatians. Paul has been passionately arguing for justification by faith in Christ alone, free from the requirements of the Mosaic Law for Gentile believers. He contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit." Following this discussion, Paul shifts to practical Christian living within the community, emphasizing grace and love over legalism.
Historically, the Galatian churches were likely composed of both Jewish and Gentile Christians. The pressure from Judaizers (those insisting Gentiles adhere to Jewish law) had created divisions and confusion. Paul's aim here is to provide guidance on how believers should interact with one another under the new covenant, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 6 2 Word Analysis
- "Bear" (bastazō): This Greek verb signifies carrying a heavy load, enduring, or supporting. It implies sustained effort and patience, not just a momentary act.
- "One another's" (allelōn): This reciprocal pronoun emphasizes mutual responsibility within the community of believers.
- "Burdens" (bartos): This refers to weights, difficulties, or hindrances. It can include sins, infirmities, afflictions, or struggles that weigh down individuals.
- "And so" (kai houtōs): This conjunction indicates a consequence or the manner in which the preceding action leads to the fulfillment of the subsequent clause.
- "Fulfill" (plēroō): To complete, accomplish, or fill up. Here, it signifies living out and demonstrating the true essence of the law.
- "The law" (ho nomos): In this context, Paul is not referring to the Mosaic Law in its entirety, but rather to the overarching principle of love and self-sacrifice for others that Christ exemplified and commanded. This is the "law of Christ."
- "Of Christ" (tou Christou): This phrase modifies "law," indicating that its origin, essence, and authority are derived from Jesus Christ himself.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Bear one another's burdens": This is a direct call to empathetic and active support among believers, acknowledging that everyone faces significant challenges that require assistance and compassion.
- "So fulfill the law of Christ": The act of bearing burdens is presented as the practical outworking and, therefore, the fulfillment of Christ's supreme command to love one another.
Galatians 6 2 Bonus Section
This verse serves as a corrective to individualism, emphasizing the communal nature of faith. The burden-bearing is reciprocal; as believers are called to bear others' burdens, they can expect their own burdens to be borne by the community. It aligns with the "fruit of the Spirit" mentioned earlier in Galatians (Galatians 5:22-23), particularly gentleness, patience, and love. Christ Himself set the ultimate example of burden-bearing by carrying our sin upon the cross, demonstrating the principle on its highest level (1 Peter 2:24).
Galatians 6 2 Commentary
Paul here provides a profound insight into the nature of Christian living. It's not merely about holding correct doctrines but about embodying love through tangible acts of support. The "law of Christ" is the embodiment of His own self-sacrificial love demonstrated on the cross. Bearing one another's burdens is the most direct expression of this law within the church community. It requires humility to recognize our own need for support and generosity to offer it to others. This contrasts sharply with the self-righteousness that characterized some aspects of legalism. It's about carrying the weight of others' struggles – their grief, their temptations, their failures – with love and without judgment.
- Practical usage example: Assisting a fellow believer who is experiencing financial hardship. Offering comfort and prayer to someone grieving a loss. Gently confronting and helping a brother or sister struggling with a recurring sin.