A Study On Galatians – Chapter 6

The Conclusion of the Matter

Welcome and thank you for joining us in our study of the book of Galatians. Today, our focus is on Chapter 6, the conclusion of the matter. If you are joining us for the first time, please take the time to go back and read and/or listen to the studies on Introduction as well as the first five chapters. You can access them below. As mentioned in the previous blog post and podcast, scripture can get taken out of context if we don’t understand the full message implied. Galatians, like many of the letters in the New Testament, is addressing a particular subject matter. In Galatians, Paul is addressing the churches who have been bewitched and were turning from the true gospel of Jesus Christ, which is sound doctrine, unto a false doctrine. 

A Study On Galatians – Intro 5/27/2024

• Study On Galatians – Chapter 1 6/06/2024
• Study On Galatians – Chapter 2 6/22/2024
• Study On Galatians – Chapter 3 6/29/2024
• Study On Galatians – Chapter 4 7/05/2024
• Study On Galatians – Chapter 5 7/08/2024

In the previous chapter, we studied what it means to stand fast in the liberty (spiritual freedom) of Jesus Christ and to walk in the Spirit so as to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Chapter 5 ends with Paul giving us a reminder that although we are to live in the Spirit of Yahweh and walk in the Spirit, we are not to become conceited, provoking one another, or envying one another. Our walk in the Spirit requires us to build one another up in the Truth and Love of Jesus Christ and never are we to be competing with or envying other fellow believers nor their ministries. If we have been baptized in Christ, we have put on Christ and live in the Spirit. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female (Chapter 3). Chapter 5 ends with a study on the fruit of the Spirit.

Chapter 6 begins with a word of encouragement on how we can apply the fruit.

Galatians 6:1-5 – 1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For each one shall bear his own load.

To be overtaken in any trespass can mean to be caught off guard to the point of being vulnerable, and a trespass can be a sin of the works of the flesh or being hindered from the truth. Most all of us at one time or another have been overtaken in some sort of trespass and through the grace of leading of the Holy Spirit, have been able to overcome it. Those who have overcome the works of the flesh and walk in the fruit of the Spirit are who Paul is referring to as spiritual (mature Christians being led by the Spirit). 

How do we, who are spiritual, restore a brother or sister in Christ who has been overtaken in any trespass? We do so with the fruit of the Spirit of gentleness. Pulling from the chapter 5 study: 

Gentleness, is the character of humility or meekness. There is no conceit or envy and no works of iniquity. Gentleness is delighting in Jesus and His abundance. Gentleness is the key to our strength when we allow Him to guide us in justice, teach us His way, so we can keep His commandments and His testimonies. Jesus taught us that the Meek shall inherit the earth. We must remain humble, not thinking any higher of ourselves than we ought, love one another, be fruitful and multiply His love on earth.

It’s a perfect fit to everything we have been taught by Jesus beginning with the Beatitudes. Paul also cautions us to consider ourselves, lest we be tempted and be overtaken in trespass. In Chapter 5 we talked about the spiritual battle associated with the lusts of the flesh. Should any pride or false humility creep in, it can become an open door for backlash in the spirit. A worldly example would be if a patient comes into the hospital with an infectious disease and the doctor does not protect him/herself with the appropriate covering, they become susceptible to catching the same disease and then possibly spreading it to others. The same concept is true in ministry in dealing with the spiritual dynamics of sin.

Bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ is the commandment Jesus gave to love your neighbor as yourself. This love that Jesus expects of us is unconditional and of a gentle spirit. The burden of sin is real for many Christians and bringing them back to restoration in gentleness is needed. 

Bearing one another’s burden is not bearing another’s load such as becoming a surety to a friend (co-signing loans or going into financial debt to help) and becoming ensnared by his debt.  Nor is it committing to a pledge that you yourself have no idea if you can keep since we know not what tomorrow brings. No, Paul is referring to helping one another to overcome any obstacles of sin that have hindered their walk with Christ so as to restore them back to the spiritual freedom they have in Christ Jesus.  Let each of us continually examine ourselves and bear our own load. I hope I am making this clear.

Paul continues: 

Galatians 6:6-10 – 6Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Verse 6 is a scripture that often gets taken out of context in the church. Many consider ‘sharing in all good things with him who teaches’ is strictly the basis for tithing or sowing money into their coffers so as to reap blessings. While there is certainly nothing wrong with one giving a financial love offering or blessing to a ministry or someone who has shared the gospel of truth and invested time and resources in them, it should always be as led by the Spirit and given with a cheerful heart. Giving is not something to be overlooked but rather a desire to bless and/or serve. Tithing is not a New Testament requirement. 

Let’s look at what the Strong’s concordance says it means as written in Galatians 6:6.

Strong’s Concordance 2841: 

koinóneó: to have a share of

Original Word: κοινωνέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: koinóneó
Phonetic Spelling: (koy-no-neh’-o)
Definition: to have a share of
Usage: (a) I share, communicate, contribute, impart, (b) I share in, have a share of, have fellowship with.

So we have here Paul encouraging that those who have been taught the word to go forth and communicate it to others, to share in its message, partake of its message (don’t just hear…do it), and have fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with those who are of the same spirit and if led to help with expenses to cover getting the word out or blessing someone, then do it.

Galatians 6:7-8 – 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Paul brings verses 1 through 6 home here. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. This entire letter is addressing those who have been bewitched and deceived. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption. Bam! Mic drop moment. You see, it isn’t about money or tithing here. It is about works or lusts of the flesh that brings one into bondage. Listen with your spirit what the Spirit is saying to the churches. But he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Folks, it can not be any clearer. I pray you are receiving this message with all your spirit, soul, and body.

Galatians 6:9-10 – 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Paul has poured out everything he has to warn the brethren that works of the law, works of the flesh, those who pervert the true gospel can not justify or sanctify anyone. It is only through Christ Jesus and His blood shed on the cross and His resurrection from the dead that will be justification for eternal life for those of Faith.

Paul implores us to do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. There is works that are associated with faith. In faith, we are obedient and do what the Father tells us to do. In faith, we do the works of a minister and as an ambassador of Christ. In faith, we walk in a manner worthy of our calling and so on. 

James also writes about this:

James 2:14-17 – 14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 

24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Back to the ending words of Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia, to you and I today, and to as many as will receive them through our sharing:

Galatians 6:11-18 – 11See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and to those who have not yet received Jesus as your God and Savior, I beseech you to hear the cry of Paul’s heart in his letter. He knows the price of discipleship and his calling by Jesus to go to kings, the children of Israel, and to the gentile nations. He concludes the matter of his letter by ending with a blessing and a plea. His plea “from now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” His prayer is that they will heed the word and turn back to Jesus and His doctrine. It is a walk of Faith to share the true gospel of Jesus Christ and to walk in His sound doctrine. We will be mocked and ridiculed, even persecuted…some unto death. But eternal life and eternal hell is real and our Father in heaven, Yahweh, I AM THAT I AM, creator of the heavens and earth, would want that not one of his children should perish but that all would have eternal life with Him. 

This concludes our study on the book of Galatians. This has been an amazing 8 week journey for us. The Holy Spirit woke me up on the morning of May 5 or 6, 2024, and told me to study Galatians because it is pertinent for today. There was a sense of urgency and I now know why. In obedience, I have read, prayed, researched the scriptures and their meanings and meditated on them before posting the studies or making podcasts. I have even been taken into a classroom with Jesus teaching me in my dreams guiding me in understanding so that I may impart that which I have freely received to you. Please share with others and together we can be a voice that awakens others.

I want to leave you with a story. I don’t know who wrote this but it is so deep. It came up on my Instagram feed within minutes of my releasing the podcast on Chapter 5. It just seems so appropriate for the timing of our study on Galatians, that I thought it would be worth sharing.

One day, the Truth and the Lie met on the road. The Lie said to the Truth, “It’s a lovely day today!” The Truth looked up at the sky and sighed, for the day really was beautiful. The walked together for a while, until they came to a beautiful well. The Lie said to the Truth, “the well water is very nice. Let’s take a bath together.” The Truth tested the water and it did seem nice. They undressed and started to bathe. 

Suddenly, the Lie comes out of the well, put on the clothes of the Truth and ran off. Furious and shocked, the Truth leapt out of the well and ran everywhere to find the Lie and get her clothes back. The world, seeing the Naked Truth, turned their gaze away, with contempt and rage.

The Truth returned to the well and to this very day, the Lie runs to and fro throughout the world, clothed as the Truth, satisfying the needs of society, because the world has no wish at all to meet the Naked Truth.

Until we meet again, be blessed and know that you are loved.