I am currently in a group that is working through Leadership Essentials: Shaping Vision, Multiplying Influence, Defining Character
by Greg Ogden. Last week we were looking at Galatians 6:9 as a verse for encouragement when discouraged. I was not happy with my limited understanding of this verse, so I did a little digging over the past week. Below is an outline of my understanding of Galatians 6:1-10.
o The context for Galatians 6:9 is 6:1-10
o In this passage Paul is addressing people in a position to help
o As opposed to the person who needs help
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (NIV)
o 6:1 addresses the one who can help restore another
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. (NIV)
o 6:2-5 addresses the one who can help another with their burden
o 6:6-10 is all one paragraph in most translations (ESV, HCSB, NET)
o The focus of this paragraph is on giving
o Paul is addressing people who are in a position to give
6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. (NIV)
o 6:6 is about financial giving to Christian teachers
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that naturea will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (NIV)
o 6:7 & 8 uses sowing to represent giving
o Sowing may still refer to financial giving
o In 2 Corinthians 9:6 Paul discusses sowing & reaping in reference to the collection of money for the Christians in Jerusalem
o Or sowing may include giving of time & talents
o Either way sowing is giving to support others & their ministries
o Reaping is discussed as an encouragement to sow
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)
o 6:9 & 10 are closely linked
o They form a chiasm (an A, B, B’, A’ pattern)
o A – ‘Let us not become weary in doing good’ (6:9)
o B – ‘for at the proper time’ (6:9)
o ‘time’ is a translation of the Greek work kairos
o B’ – ‘as we have opportunity’ (6:10)
o ‘opportunity’ is a translation of the Greek word kairos
o A’ – ‘let us do good’ (6:10)
o Sowing is now extended to doing good
o To all people but especially other believers
o At the proper time (as we have opportunity)
o We will reap & we should do good (sow)
o And since this entire passage is addressed to people in a position to help – now is a time to do good
o Chris asked ‘Based on this passage what would you say to someone who is discouraged?’
o The answer from this passage is – ask them ‘How can I help you?’
o We are to help restore others
o We are to carry each other’s burdens
o We are to give to others
a Or his flesh, from the flesh
