The big picture
Galatians 6 opens in verse 1 with “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”, and closes in verse 18 with “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, flesh, Jesus, reap, spirit. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Galatians · King James Version · 18Galatians 6:1-6
1–6: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual…
Galatians 6:1–6 opens with “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the…” and reaches “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers gently restoring someone, carrying one another’s burdens, sowing toward a future harvest, and doing good without weariness, with particular weight carried by bear, another’s, Brethren.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Galatians 6:1-6
King James Version1Brethren, 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.
2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5For every man shall bear his own burden.
6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Galatians 6:7-12
7–12: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that…
Galatians 6:7–12 opens with “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” and reaches “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers gently restoring someone, carrying one another’s burdens, sowing toward a future harvest, and doing good without weariness, with particular weight carried by reap, flesh, soweth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Galatians 6:7-12
King James Version7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8For 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.
9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12As 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.
Galatians 6:13-18
13–18: For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire…
Galatians 6:13–18 opens with “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you…” and reaches “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers gently restoring someone, carrying one another’s burdens, sowing toward a future harvest, and doing good without weariness, with particular weight carried by Jesus, Christ, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Galatians 6:13-18
King James Version13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14But 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.
15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Galatians 6:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Galatians 6:4 forms a natural hinge: “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
The final note
Galatians 6:18 leaves the reader with “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, flesh, Jesus, reap, spirit, bear help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- lest
- so that something does not happen
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.