Digging deeper into Galatians Part 6a

How to restore one another

Restoring a brother/sister

Today we come to the final chapter of Galatians. After weeks of study, we have worked our way through this powerful letter, and now we reach its conclusion. Before we step into chapter 6, let us briefly remind ourselves of the journey so far.

Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Galatia—churches he himself had planted years earlier. But since his departure, false teachers had infiltrated the congregations, pulling believers off course. This short but fiery epistle throbs with urgency as Paul defends the very heart of the gospel: that people are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ alone—not by observing the law.

Paul confronts the danger of adding religious requirements to salvation. The gospel is ‘believe in Jesus Christ,’ not “believe in Jesus and…” Anything added to the end of that sentence becomes a false gospel. The Judaizers were insisting on circumcision and obedience to the law of Moses as necessary for salvation. Paul exposes this as error—and it remains relevant today, as cults and religious systems still try to add to the gospel.

Throughout the letter, Paul also reminds us that we are absolutely free—Spirit‑led children of God. Our freedom is not expressed through legalism but through love.

Three major themes of Galatians are:

1. Justification by faith alone—right standing with God comes through Christ alone, with nothing added.

2. The believer’s freedom—freedom from the bondage of the law.

3. Life in the Spirit—the true mark of God’s people is walking in the Spirit and displaying the love of Christ.

   
   

A Brief Return to Chapter 5

In chapter 5, Paul teaches that Christ has set believers free. Returning to circumcision or Mosaic rituals is a form of bondage. Justification cannot come from mixing law and grace—it is only by faith in Jesus.

True faith expresses itself in love and service, not ritual observance. Paul warns that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump”—bad teaching spreads and corrupts communities.

He also explains why the cross is offensive: it removes all reliance on human effort. It confronts people with the truth that they cannot save themselves. To us, the cross is salvation; to the unbeliever, it is a reminder of their inability to earn righteousness.

Paul also warns against two extremes:

• Legalism—trying to keep the law to stay right with God.

• Liberalism—believing that anything goes and God tolerates all behaviour.

  
  

True freedom is Spirit‑led obedience. As we walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit grows in us—the character of Jesus Himself. Such fruit is reproductive. When people see kindness, generosity, compassion, and mercy in us, they are drawn to Christ.

Galatians 6:1–5 — Restoring One Another

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…”

When a brother or sister falls into sin, Paul calls us to restore them gently. The Greek word for “restore” is katartizō—the same word used for mending fishing nets. Broken nets do not catch fish; broken believers lose their witness. Restoration is about repairing what is torn so the person can return to fruitful service.

The goal is restoration, not punishment.

But Paul warns us to restore others with humility, remembering that we too are vulnerable to temptation. Often the very sin we help someone overcome becomes a temptation to us. We must stay alert and dependent on the Spirit.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Paul then says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is the law of love—loving God, loving our neighbour, and loving one another as Christ has loved us.

A Warning Against Pride

We must not correct others from a place of superiority. Every believer is capable of falling. Restoration must be done with humility and gratitude that God allows us to help.

Each One Must Examine His Own Work

Paul calls us to self‑examination, not comparison. Each believer is responsible before God for their own obedience. “Each one shall bear his own load”—a reminder that while we help others, we also carry personal responsibility.

Backpacks and Boulders — A Helpful Analogy

This counselling framework helps us understand boundaries and responsibility.

Backpacks —Personal Responsibilities

Backpacks represent the daily responsibilities each person must carry:

• feelings

• habits

• work

• health choices

• personal decisions

Everyone is expected to carry their own backpack. If we try to carry someone else’s, we become over‑responsible, enabling them and exhausting ourselves.

Boulders — Crises Too Heavy to Carry Alone

Boulders represent life‑crushing events:

• bereavement

• medical emergencies

• disasters

• major financial collapse

These are too heavy for one person. This is where the church steps in. Helping carry each other’s boulders fulfils the law of Christ.

The danger is treating a boulder like a backpack—telling someone in deep grief to “just get over it.” That places a two‑ton rock in their backpack. Wisdom is knowing when to step in and when to step back.

Amen

Personal Prayer

In Part 6b we discuss Galatians 6:6-17