Galatians Part 12 | Chapter 6:1-2

Last updated on Apr 20, 2026

Introduction

In this lesson we will focus on how we can help other Christians escape from a sin that is holding them captive. We'll address how the Scriptures tell us to do this without simply calling out the problems of others and acting as if we are without fault. This includes bearing the burdens of others — helping other Christians in their struggles. The Christian life was not meant to be lived alone; instead we are to support one another.

Those Who Walk in the Spirit Will Bear the Burdens of Others | Galatians 6:1–2

Read Galatians 6:1–2

When Christians are truly living their lives by walking in the Spirit, they will feel a burden and desire to help others. To walk in the Spirit does not imply that one is selfish and only cares about themselves — instead they have a heart filled with the love of Christ and they see the burdens, trials and problems that others go through. They feel the desire to help others in their time of need and want to help put them on the right path to restoration.

Helping Those Who Are Caught Up in Sin | Galatians 6:1

We have already established that no one, no matter how spiritually mature they are, can live a sin-free life. Everyone will fail and sin before God — pastors, deacons, teachers, children (and even your grandma) can and will sin. So even a Christian who seems to have it all together can find themselves ensnared or trapped in a sin that seems to have taken control of them.

To Be Caught in a Transgression

This can imply both one who is literally caught committing a sin and one who is ensnared (caught up) in sin. Both of these happen in the lives of Christians. We are seen by others in the world committing a sin that violates the commands of God. We are also caught up in sin, where it has a stranglehold on us and we cannot seem to break free.

We might tend to think that it is solely up to the person who is entangled in the sin (and God) to bring them through — that it is not our responsibility, none of our business, and that we are not obligated to assist. But this is not what the Scriptures teach us.

💬 Discussion Questions

If we always turn a blind eye when our Christian brethren are struggling with sin in their life, are we actually loving them?

The Scriptures tell us that we are called to restore our fellow Christian who is ensnared by sin.

Those who "are spiritual" should help our fellow Christian brother or sister. There is a prerequisite here — it is one who is walking in the Spirit who should help with restoring our fellow brother or sister.

Galatians 5:16 — "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

It is those who are striving to live their life for Christ, producing good fruit and walking in the light of Christ. Those who are not Spirit-filled or walking in the light of Christ will not be effective in helping put the Christian on the right path.

We must evaluate our hearts to be sure that we are in a right place before we help others.

Galatians 6:3–4 — "For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor."

Matthew 7:3–5 — "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Christ didn't say there was never a time to call out someone's "speck" — but that we must make sure we have addressed our own issues first. This is where Christians tend to run into problems when "calling out" the sins of others. We don't do any self-reflection on our own lives before we help someone else with theirs. This is very important, especially if we are addressing someone else's sins that we are an even bigger violator of.

💬 Discussion Questions

What does this "self-evaluation" look like? What does it mean to take the log out of our own eye first?

This is why there is a warning about not getting ourselves caught up in the same temptation.

Galatians 6:1b — "...Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

If we are spiritually weak, we could find ourselves tempted by the same problems as the person we are trying to help. The best help and guidance comes from one who has come through the other side — not one who is still held by the same chains of bondage. While two people going through the same difficulty can support one another, someone else who is "on the other side" is needed to be the guide.

As God leads us, we must help our fellow Christian break free from the chains of sin that they are ensnared by. To restore means literally "bring back," to "mend" or "repair." Our objective is to lead that person to a place where they are no longer broken or ensnared by the sin that they are trapped by. One who is restored is back to the place before the sin broke them — a time where they are no longer held hostage. This is the end goal.

We must do this with a spirit of gentleness. There is a proper way to help our fellow Christian when they are ensnared by sin, and it must be with gentleness and love. It does NOT mean that we:

Blast that person all over social media
Ridicule and respond with hate and anger
Respond by ourselves sinning against them
Force or drag that person back to the light (The medieval church's use of the Inquisition — authorizing torture to bring out a confession or turn one from apostasy — is a sobering example of what this looks like when done wrongly)

When we are helping to mend a fellow Christian, it MUST be done out of love and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we are walking in the Spirit, He will guide us and show us how we can help our brother or sister — always out of love and compassion.

💬 Discussion Questions

What does it look like (practically) for us to help restore a fellow Christian who is ensnared by sin?
How do we do this in a Christ-like, loving way that doesn't involve us simply calling out the sins of others while pointing to our mantle of self-righteousness?
What are the primary hurdles or problems we may run into?

Bearing the Burdens of Others by Fulfilling the Law of Christ | Galatians 6:2

Read Galatians 6:2

Not only are we to help others get free from their ensnarement to sin, but we are also called to bear their burdens.

The Christians who are "strong" have an obligation to help others.

Romans 15:1–2 — "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."

What Are the Burdens?

While there isn't one thing specifically that constitutes a burden, it can be seen as any heavy load weighing a Christian down that causes them to struggle. This could be a sinful entrapment, temptation, a difficult trial in life, or spiritual failure. It can also relate to a specific situation or the effects of depression, anxiety or fear.

Regardless of What the Burden Is, Christians Are Called to Help Others by Fulfilling the Law of Christ — Which Is Love

To fulfill the law of Christ is to love others.

John 13:34 — "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

Galatians 5:14 — "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

If we choose to NOT bear the burdens of others, how can we fulfill this commandment?

Romans 13:8 — "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

Romans 13:10b — "...love is the fulfilling of the law."

How Do We Bear the Burdens of Others?

How we bear the burdens of others will be different in each situation. If you are called to bear the burden of someone, the Holy Spirit will give you the guidance and direction that the person you are helping needs. Some examples:

Support them physically by just being there. The burden of heartache can be lessened when we are physically present. The burden is shared and the load is lightened on the heart of the griever.
Support them with encouragement. When one is depressed and saddened, we can come alongside and bear that burden by truly listening to their problems, then help lighten it by bringing words of encouragement.
Support them with compassion and mercy. To receive mercy and compassion when one is suffering under a heavy load brought by a trial in life will have a significant impact.
Support them through prayer. An intercessory prayer to God for one who is struggling is the most important thing we can do (though not the ONLY thing). Prayer is the foundation — it must begin here.
Support them by being the solution to their problem, perhaps with a physical or financial need. Sometimes WE are the solution to the burdens of others — we literally pick it up from them and carry it ourselves.

Our responsibility is to be continuously aware and observant of the needs of others. Then the Holy Spirit will guide us into the details.

💬 Discussion Questions

What are ways in which either you have had to bear the burden of others, or they have borne them for you?
If you were on the receiving side, what kind of impact did it have?