Spirit-led believers are to restore those caught in sin with gentleness and humility, guarding themselves against temptation.
Galatians 6:1-5
1 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.
The law of Christ is fulfilled through burden-bearing love, while each believer also takes responsibility for his or her own conduct before God.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.
5 For each man will bear his own burden.
Those instructed in the word are to share good things with their teachers, reflecting gospel partnership and stewardship.
6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
Paul warns that people reap what they sow. Sowing to the flesh brings destruction, while sowing to the Spirit brings eternal life.
7 Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Believers must persevere in doing good, especially within the household of faith, trusting that God's harvest will come in due season.
9 Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Paul exposes the false teachers' motives: outward appearance, avoidance of persecution, and boasting in the Galatians' circumcision.
Galatians 6:11-18
11 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised; just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.
Paul rejects every ground of boasting except the cross of Christ. The old world has been crucified, and new creation is what counts.
14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
Paul closes by pointing to the marks of Jesus on his body and blessing the Galatians with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
17 From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.