Carry One Another’s Burdens
6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle(A) spirit,[a](B) watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.(C) 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.(D) 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,(E) he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work,(F) and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share(G) all his good things with the teacher. 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit(H) will reap eternal life(I) from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired(J) of doing good,(K) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work(L) for the good(M) of all, especially for those who belong to the household(N) of faith.(O)
Concluding Exhortation
11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh(P) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised(Q)—but only to avoid being persecuted(R) for the cross(S) of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep(T) the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15 For[b] both circumcision and uncircumcision(U) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.(V) 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel(W) of God![c]
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.(X) 18 Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.(Y) Amen.
Footnotes
- 6:1 Or with the Spirit of gentleness
- 6:15 Other mss add in Christ Jesus
- 6:16 Or And for those who follow this standard, may peace and mercy be upon them, even upon the Israel of God, or And as many who will follow this standard, peace be upon them and mercy even upon the Israel of God.
Cross references
- 6:1 : Jms 3:13
- 6:1 : Ps 51:12
- 6:1 : Jms 1:13
- 6:2 : 1Co 9:21
- 6:3 : 1Co 3:18; 2Co 12:11; Gl 2:6
- 6:4 : Mk 14:6; Gl 3:10; Jms 2:14–26
- 6:6 : Rm 15:27; 1Pt 5:2
- 6:8 : Ps 51:11; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; Gl 5:25; Ti 3:5; Rv 3:22
- 6:8 : Jn 12:25; Ac 13:48
- 6:9 : 2Th 3:13
- 6:9 : Lk 18:18; Jms 4:17
- 6:10 : 2Jn 8
- 6:10 : Gn 1:31; 3Jn 11
- 6:10 : 1Tm 5:8
- 6:10 : Jd 3
- 6:12 : Php 3:3
- 6:12 : Ac 15:1
- 6:12 : 2Tm 3:12
- 6:12 : Php 3:18
- 6:13 : Lk 11:28
- 6:15 : Col 3:11
- 6:15 : Jn 1:3; Rv 3:14
- 6:16 : Lk 3:8
- 6:17 : Php 3:10
- 6:18 : Ps 51:12