Gal. 6:1-10, Practical Ideas on Serving One Another

Gal. 5:26 is a transition to this passage.  Paul is still talking about how those who are free in Christ can serve one another in love.  Further, 5:26 (Let us not be conceited, provoking one another) seems to lead right to 6:1 (restore your brother, but watch out for yourself as well).  There is not just a prohibition; there is an encouragement to love.

In this passage we have found the following practical ideas: restoring a brother in Christ (6:1), bearing each other’s burdens (6:2-5), sharing good things with those who teach (6:6-8), and doing good (6:9-10).

Restoring a brother in Christ, 6:1.

Consider the following from Isaiah 40:27-31:

The everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary … He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.  But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

God is a God who restores and renews people.  Remember Naomi, in the story of Ruth?  She went from “Naomi” (pleasant) to “Mara” (bitter, Ruth 1:20-21), but then was restored by God (Ruth 4:14-15).  What about David?  He went from being the man after God’s own heart to having the prophet point his finger at him and say, you are the man!  But then God restored him according to Psalm 51:10: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Israel, as a nation, chosen by God to be His treasure, descended from the glory of the reigns of David and Solomon to being carried off captive.  Yet, the prophets were not ashamed to plead with the LORD for restoration. 

Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure (Lam. 5:21-22). 

LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known, in wrath remember mercy (Hab. 3:2).

Psalm 126 reflects on God’s bringing the nation back from captivity, referring to those who sow in tears reaping in joy.  He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.  Restoration is a vital Christian ministry because it is built on a hope that God Himself supports, the hope of being useful again in service to our Lord.  That makes Gal. 6:1 a valuable study for us.