Fathers

Galatians 6

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Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. For each man will bear his own burden. But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith. See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised; just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel. From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

Galatians 6:2

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Bear ye one another's burdens." It being impossible for man to be without failings, he exhorts them not to scrutinize severely the offences of others, but even to bear their failings, that their own may in turn be borne by others. As, in the building of a house, all the stones hold not the same position, but one is fitted for a corner but not for the foundations, another for the foundations, and not for the corner so too is it in the body of the Church. …

Homily on Galatians 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since, being human, it is impossible to be sinless, he urges not to judge the sins of one's neighbor harshly, but to bear with them, so that afterward another may also bear with his sins. He did not say: πληρώσατε, but: αναπληρώσατε, that is, fulfill all things together communally, mutually helping one another. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

I Exhort thee in God, that thou add [speed] to thy course, and that thou vindicate thy dignity. Have a care to preserve concord with the saints. Bear [the burdens of] the weak, that "thou mayest fulfil the law of Christ."

Epistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Carry one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For sin is a burden, and the Psalmist testifies, saying: My iniquities have risen above my head, like a heavy burden weighing me down (Psalm 38:5). And Zechariah, in a vision, saw a weighty lead covering of iniquity (Zechariah 5). The Savior took this burden upon Himself for us, teaching us by His example what we ought to do. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

But how they ought to act towards equals he shows when he says, "Bear ye one another's burdens". Here he admonishes them to support one another, saying, "Bear ye one another's burdens." And this is to be done in three ways. In one way by patiently enduring the bodily or spiritual defects of another: "We that are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the weak" (Rom 15:1). In a second way by coming to one another's aid in their needs: "Communicating to the necessities of the saints" (Rom 12:13). …

Commentary on Galatians ↗