Notes on Galatians 6:2: Bear Ye One Another's Burdens

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 2min
Galatians 6:2  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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The only question to be considered in this passage is as to the meaning of the law of Christ. It is generally said to be the law of love, and this is true; but is it not possible to be more precise? The preceding verse enjoins the spiritual to restore a fallen brother in the spirit of meekness, "considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." That is, as we understand, the spiritual man, remembering his own liability to fall, is to go in all gentleness to him who has been "overtaken in a fault" or offense, and in grace so identify himself with his condition as to take his burden of sin and sorrow upon himself, with a view to his succor and restoration.
Now this is exactly what Christ Himself has done—only perfectly—both in life and in death. Thus the Evangelist says, "He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Matt. 8:16, 1716When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matthew 8:16‑17). This was in His life, and concerning His death Peter says, "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree." 1 Pet. 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24). He was thus, in life and death, the great burden-bearer; in life taking our infirmities and sicknesses in grace on His heart; in death bearing our sins in substitution, as made sin for us by God, when He endured for the glory of God all that was due to us on account of our sins, that He might take them away forever.
There is a great difference between His burden-bearing in life and in death; but still He was in both, the burden-bearer. And this is the law of Christ: "Bear ye one another's burdens," and so fulfill the law of Him who was the pattern burden-bearer. Love was undoubtedly the motive of all; for, as the Apostle says, He "loved me, and gave Himself for me"; and it is certain that we shall never go and take the burdens of our brethren on ourselves, unless we are under the constraint of the love of Christ.