Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

Bible Commentary

Galatians 6:1 is a Bible verse that instructs those who walk with Christ to gently teach someone who may be stuck in sin.

As we grow in age, wisdom and spiritual maturity in Christ, we are able to spot a spiritual stronghold in someone’s life due to sin. We might recognize it because we were once there ourselves, or because it is a rampant and age-old sin that has been stirred up in society.

Let’s look at the first part of Galatians 6:1, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass.

If someone is “overtaken” they are caught off guard. They are unprepared, or maybe even trapped. That’s what sin does, and that’s what the devil does as he tempts our flesh—the part of us that has not been crucified with Christ.

We can all relate. We, too, were once overtaken by something we had a difficult time getting free from. It’s like an addiction. We are unable (or unwilling) to resist its power over us. We didn’t realize it was a problem until we tried to walk away from it.

As we walk with Christ seeking the truth, He uncovers things in our lives that we need to release to Him. Maybe they’re not addictions, but things we need to let go of. As we make the willing decision to give them to Him, He brings peace and healing in their place.

We couldn’t do it without His help.

It was hard letting go of something we indulged in for a long time. It was like quicksand. We were stuck, and we needed help getting out.

Pay It Forward

In Galatians 6:1, the Apostle Paul instructs us to restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Before we can teach or restore in gentleness, we must first remember our own struggles. Then we can realize that God’s grace toward us gives us a spirit of gentleness toward someone else.

Compassion is stirred up in us when we see ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Before we are quick to condemn, let’s remember our own  past. Then as we watch someone “go off” on video before the world, we can look upon them with pity and compassion instead of contempt and loathing.

We received the mercy of God, and we must extend that mercy to others. Pay it forward.

Most likely, they will come to a sobering realization that they reacted out of emotion instead of sound judgment. Regret and embarrassment will eventually set in.

We must recall the times when we acted out of emotion or immaturity and endured the same regret and embarrassment. As we remember God’s mercy toward us, then we can pay it forward.

We desire for them to come to the same saving grace that we enjoyed, and we can restore in gentleness or extend mercy and pray for them.

As each of us strive to follow Paul’s instruction from Galatians 6:1, we can unite in the fellowship of God.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Study the Bible verse of Galatians 6:1, and remember to restore in a spirit of gentleness.