Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. 4 Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else; 5 for each will bear his own load. 6 One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor. 7 Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, 8 because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. 9 Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. 10 So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.
Paul provides guidance to the Galatians on how Christians who are guided by the Spirit should live in community with each other. Those who are spiritually mature should gently and humbly correct others, even the ones who have fallen into a sinful way of life. They should also examine themselves since they too are vulnerable to sin. They should share each other’s spiritual trials and moral weaknesses (Phil. 2:4) out of love and compassion as Christ taught (Mt. 22:39). They must avoid thinking too highly of themselves so as not to delude themselves that they are without sin and are in a position to correct someone who sins for they too are in need of God’s grace. They should examine their own works and not compare themselves with others because every person is responsible to God for his own actions.
Those who are teaching in the community should be taken care of out of love (1 Cor. 9:11). The Galatians must persevere in doing good deeds and keeping their faith even through trials, and they will reap a spiritual harvest in God’s time. They should make the most of every opportunity to do good to everyone, especially to those in the Christian community.
Almighty God, you sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us as we serve each other with love and humility. Help us to be sincere in our actions and true to your Word, bearing each other’s burdens, and forgiving each other as you forgive us. Grant us the grace to gently correct each other’s indiscretions, and to strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ in times of weakness. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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