Galatians

Galatians 6 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Galatians 6 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 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 tempted.

"If a man be overtaken in a fault"
Forgive others. Someday you might make a mistake, too.

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

"Bear ye one another's burdens."
Should we bear each other's burdens?

Yes, the apostle Paul contradicts himself just two sentences apart! But the author of the SAB employs a logical fallacy, the contradiction would only be there if we have the following premises:

Every man should bear the burdens of others.
No man should bear his own burden.
Every man should bear own burden.

Premise number two is missing of course, so logically there cannot be a contradiction.
John Gill explains bear another's burdens as:

by gently reproving them, by comforting them when overpressed with guilt, by sympathizing with them in their sorrow, by praying to God for to manifest his pardoning grace to them, and by forgiving them themselves, so far as they are faults committed against them

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

"For every man shall bear his own burden."
Should we bear each other's burdens?

The meaning of bearing one's own burdens is that everyone will have to give account of his own life to God. Everyone will be judged according to his works, whether they be good or evil.

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For 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.

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption."
Does hell exist?

The author of the SAB reads this verse as if our bodies will be corrupted, meaning our bodies and soul will be no more after death. But this verse isn't about dying. John Gill explains sowing to his flesh as:

but he is such an one that pampers his flesh, gratifies and indulges the lusts of it, who minds the things of the flesh, lives after it, and does the works of it, who spends his substance in a luxurious way upon himself and family; or whose whole bent, and study, and employment, is to increase his worldly riches, to aggrandize himself and posterity, to the neglect of his own soul, the interest of religion, the poor of the church, and ministers of the Gospel

On reaping corruption, John Gill writes:

shall by such carnal methods procure for himself, in this world, nothing but what is corruptible, as silver and gold be, and such treasure as moth and rust corrupt; such substance as will not endure, but is perishing, and may be by one providence or another taken from him; so that all his care in sowing comes to nothing, and is of no advantage to himself, nor to his posterity; see Hag. 1:4, and shall fall into the pit of corruption, and be punished with everlasting destruction, and die the second death in the world to come.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

"See how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand."
Paul was proud of his large handwriting.

Paul is not talking about his large characters, but says that he wrote this entire epistle himself. Unlike other epistles which were written by others (Rom. 16:22) and where Paul only added his signature (2 Thess. 3:17).

12 As 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.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But 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.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.