Fathers

Galatians 6

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Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Galatians 6:4

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But let each man prove his own work." Here he shows that we ought to be scrutinizers of our lives, and this not lightly, but carefully to weigh our actions; as for example, if thou hast performed a good deed, consider whether it was not from vain glory, or through necessity, or malevolence, or with hypocrisy, or from some other human motive. …

Homily on Galatians 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Let him examine, he says, his own actions carefully (for this is what the word "let him test" means), whether he has done something out of vainglory, or out of hypocrisy, or for some other human reason, and then let him not boast before another. But if he cannot restrain himself, let him boast before himself, that is, subjecting himself to his own judgment, let him consider today's deed better than yesterday's and take pride in a good deed. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Oecumenius

"But let each person prove." Let each person examine his own deeds which he himself performed in life. For by doing this he will prepare himself for better things. Yet this is not the act of one who judges, but of one who humbles himself. For it is not fitting, he says, to boast; if anything, at least do not, he says, boast as the Pharisee did against your neighbor, but against yourself. (see Luke 18:9-14) — [THEODORET] In another way. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. The meaning is this: You, who consider yourself spiritual and stronger in the weakness of others, should not focus on the weakness of the one who is falling but on your own strength. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Now the way to avoid such a failing is to consider one's own defects, for it is because one considers the defects of others and not his own that he seems to himself to be something in comparison to others in whom he observes defects; and not considering his own, he has a feeling of pride. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗