Catholic Commentary on Galatians 6

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)

Carry One Another's Burdens

If someone is caught in a sin, those who are spiritual should restore them gently, watching themselves so they are not also tempted. Carry one another's burdens and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. The law of Christ is the law of love, and love bears what others cannot bear alone. Yet each person must test their own actions without comparing themselves to others, for each will carry their own load. Let the one who is taught share all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a person sows they will reap. The one who sows to please the sinful nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The Cross and the New Creation

Paul takes the pen himself to write the closing in large letters. Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel the Galatians to be circumcised, only to avoid being persecuted for the Cross. Not even those who advocate circumcision keep the whole Law. They want the Galatians to be circumcised so they can boast about it. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, to the Israel of God. The marks on Paul's body are the marks of Jesus, the wounds he has received in his service. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The Catechism identifies the new creation as the fullest description of what Baptism accomplishes: not the addition of a religious practice but the fundamental reconstitution of the person in Christ (CCC 1214).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, may I never boast except in the Cross. This is the complete answer to the Galatian problem and to every form of religious pride. There is nothing to boast about except the one thing we did not do: the Cross of Christ. Boast in your circumcision and you have made it a condition of grace. Boast in the Cross and you have received grace as the free gift it always was. Let the world be crucified to you and let the new creation be all that you are.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, may we never boast except in your Cross, through which the world has been crucified to us. Let neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, neither our achievements nor our failures, be what we stand on. Only the Cross. Only the new creation. Only grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

6
Carry One Another’s Burdens
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry one another’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 work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. 5 For each one should carry his own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
 
7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. 8 The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
 
9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
Final Warnings and Blessings
 
11 See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!
 
12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
 
14 But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which * 6:14 Or through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.
 
16 Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.
 
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
 
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.
 
Amen.

*6:14 6:14 Or through whom

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