Galatians 6

1. 6:1 How does this verse expand on 5:22-25?
   Class Answers: If we are bearing fruits of the Spirit – if we are guided by the Spirit – we will seek to restore one who is *detected, caught, or overtaken in a sin rather than to shun or condemn, while being careful that we don’t succumb to the temptation ourselves. Note the word gentleness, which is also sometimes translated meekness: Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love.
   *After-class note: The Greek word translated detected in the NRSV, caught in the NASV, and overtaken in the NKJV is Prolambano, which the NAS New Testament Lexicon defines as 1. to take before, 2. to anticipate, to forestall, 3. to take one by forestalling (him i.e. before he can flee or conceal his crime) 4. surprise, detect. It indicates that the sinner is not sinning with a defiant attitude but is either unaware of the sin or caught up in something she can’t handle by herself.
2. 6:2 How are 6:2 and 5:14 related?
   Class Answers: The law of Christ is love. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Galatians 5:14) is taught both in the Old Law (Leviticus 19:18) and the New Law (Matthew 7:2; Matthew 22:39 ). It is called the Royal Law in James 2:8. We try to lighten others’ loads just as we would want help, and just like members of our physical body come to the aid of other members. (The left leg bears more weight when the right leg is injured.) See also John 13:34,35.
   Note: The Greek word for burden is baros: weight or heavy load.
3. 6:3-5 What three attitudes are suggested in this passage?
   Class Answers:
   v. 3 – arrogance. Anything but personal humility is deceptive.
   v. 4 – making comparisons, judging
   v. 5 – being responsibility for our own work. (See James 4:17.)
   Note: The NAS New Testament Lexicon defines load  (Phortion) as 1. a burden, load, 2. of the freight or lading of a ship, 3. of burdensome rites, 4. of the obligations Christ lays upon his followers, and styles a "burden" by way of the contrast to the precepts of the Pharisees, the observance of which was most oppressive, 5. faults of the conscience which oppress the soul.
4. 6:6 What responsibility do students have toward their teachers?
   Class Answers: To share in all good things. A teacher’s greatest reward is to see her students take the lessons to heart, to see them grow because of the things they have learned. This applies to all teachers, but particularly to teachers of God’s word, because the lessons learned are so vital to life.
   In Philippians 4:14-19, Paul refers to material gifts he was given by the Philippian Christians. They also shared in his distress. As thankful as he is for their material help, he is even more thankful to see their generosity of spirit.
5. 6:7-9 What general truths does Paul reveal here?
   Class Answers:
   v. 7 – God is not mocked.
   vv. 7-8 – You reap what you sow, both physically and spiritually. Sin leads to destruction. Sowing to the Spirit leads to eternal life.
   v. 9 – Don’t quit trying. Persevere.
   See also 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.
6. 6:10 Why should spiritual family members receive special attention?
   Class Answers: It’s just natural that family members take care of one another, rely on each other. We look to each other for help, not outsiders. It’s also a sign to nonbelievers of our love for one another (John 13:35).
   The observation was made that at times we feel closer to our spiritual family members than our physical family. For example, we’ll draw closer more quickly to strangers at a conference of believers than we will at a reunion of physical family members who are not believers.
7. 6:11 Why do you think Paul emphasizes that he is writing this with his own hand?
   Class Answers: To make it more personal. It’s possible that up to this point, he had dictated the letter to a scribe, as mentioned in Romans 16:22.  But he writes this last portion himself, perhaps giving it more weight as his final warning to them to avoid the Judaizers.
   It shows his personal interest as contrasted with the Judaizers whose aim is to use the Gentile Christians for their own purposes.
   It’s also possible it alludes to a problem he has with his eyesight (Galatians 4:12-15)
8. 6:12-13 What motivated the Judaizers (those who insisted on circumcision)?
   Class Answers:
   v. 12 – For show – for a good showing in the flesh. They wanted to appear righteous to those who would judge or criticize them.
   v. 12 – To avoid persecution from the Jews for proclaiming the cross of Christ.
   v. 13 – So they could boast in their flesh. They could boast in their ability to get Gentiles to submit to the Law. It was all about them.
9. 6:14-15 What things are most important?
   Class Answers: The cross of Christ; being a new creature. Verse 16: The rule: boasting only in the cross, the peace and mercy that God would give the Israel of God (the church of Christ).
10. 6:17 What marks might Paul be talking about? (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-30)
    Class Answers: His physical suffering: whippings, beatings, stoning (Acts 14:19; 16:22.) They would be particularly aware of the beating he had suffered in Lystra, one of the Galatian cities.

Choose a verse from Chapter 6 to memorize (or to post in a prominent place).

Verses chosen were 6:2-3; 6:7, 6:8, 6:9, and 6:10.