Meaning, commentary and cross references
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
NIV · New International Version
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
WEB · World English Bible
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
What does Galatians 6:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens,.... Which may be understood either of sins, which are heavy burdens to sensible sinners, to all that are partakers of the grace of God; Christ is only able to bear these burdens, so as to remove them and take them away, which he has done by his blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction; saints bear one another's, not by making satisfaction for them, which they are not able to do, nor by conniving at them, and suffering them upon them, which they should not do, but 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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Galatians 6:1–10
We are here directed to bear one another's burdens, Gal 6:2. This may be considered either as referring to what goes before, and so may teach us to exercise forbearance and compassion towards one another, in the case of those weaknesses, and follies, and infirmities, which too often attend us - that, though we should not wholly connive at them, yet we should not be severe against one another on account of them; or as a more general precept, and so it directs us to sympathize with one another under the various trials and troubles that we may meet with, and to be ready to afford each other the comfort and counsel, the help and assistance, which our circumstances may require. To excite us…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Galatians 6:1–5
2. Bear ye one another's burdens. The weaknesses or sins, under which we groan, are called burdens. This phrase is singularly appropriate in an exhortation to kind behavior, for nature dictates to us that those who bend under a burden ought to be relieved.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Galatians 6:1–5 (WEB)
1Brothers, 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. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. 5For each man will bear his own burden.
Cross references
- Romans 15:1
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all.
- John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
- 1 John 4:21
This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.
- James 2:8
However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.
- John 15:12
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
- Galatians 5:13–14
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
- John 13:14–15
If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.