Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ). Galatians 6:1 reads as follows:
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
The phrase "if anyone is caught in any transgression," in verse one ( above ), has cross-references to Psalm 141:5, 2 Corinthians 2:7, Hebrews 12:13, and James 5:19. Psalm 141:5 reads as follows:
"5 Let a righteous man strike me-it is a kindness; let him rebuke me-it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds."
The first sentence in verse five ( above ) has cross-references to Proverbs 9:8; 19:25; 25:12; 27:6; and Ecclesiastes 7:5. Proverbs 9:8 reads as follows: "8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you." Proverbs 19:25 reads as follows: "25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge." Proverbs 25:12 reads as follows: "12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear." Proverbs 27:6 reads as follows: "6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." Ecclesiastes 7:5 reads as follows: "5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools."
Additionally, 2 Corinthians 2:7 reads as follows: "7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow." Hebrews 12:13 reads as follows: "13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." James 5:19 reads as follows: "19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back."
Considering the phrase "if anyone is caught in any transgression," in verse one, together with the first verse five, a righteous man is to strike the one caught in any transgression. Moreover, considering the word "strike," in the first verse five, together with verse eight, to strike someone means to reprove him or her ( to verbally "strike" the person ). The phrase "caught in any transgression" signifies an awareness of the transgression.
Taking into account verse twenty-five, the act of reproof is a learning experience for the one who receives it. With verse twelve in mind, a wise reprover will not attempt to reprove someone who is not willing to hear it ( see also Matthew 7:1-6 ( especially verse 6, for example ), for example ). The phrase "the wounds of a friend," in verse six, has a cross-reference to the first verse five and, thus, a friend is one who is willing to reprove someone. Considering the second verse five, there is benefit to receiving rebuke.
Considering verse seven, once a brother or sister in Christ has been punished ( see Acts 2:38, 41, 47 ( KJV, for example ), 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2:6, and Galatians 3:26, 27, for example ), he or she must be forgiven and comforted. The phrase "make straight paths for your feet," in verse thirteen, has a cross-reference to Proverbs 4:26, 27, which read as follows:
"26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
Therefore, to make straight paths for one's feet means to avoid evil.
The phrase "but rather be healed," in verse thirteen, has cross-references to James 5:16 and Galatians 6:1. James 5:16 reads as follows: "16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." The phrase "so that what is lame," in verse thirteen, must be a reference to the consequences of sin in our lives. Additionally, the phrase "may not be put out of joint," in this same verse, is a warning against continuing in the path of sin. Specifically, if our feet are out of joint, in a spiritual sense, then we will not be able to walk ( live ) as God has commanded us to ( see Ecclesiastes 12:13, Galatians 5:25, and 1 John 5:6, for example ).
Verse sixteen teaches that once a brother or sister in Christ ( see Matthew 19:23-30 ( especially verse 28, for example ), Luke 22:14-30 ( especially verse 30, for example ), Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39 ( KJV, for example ), for example ); 26:4-8 ( especially verse 7, for example ), Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), 1 Corinthians 6:2, Colossians 1:9-14 ( especially verses 13 and 14, for example ), Hebrews 10:15-25 ( especially verse 22, for example ), James 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1, 2, and Revelation 1:4, 5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ) confesses his or her sins to us, as Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) we have the responsibility to pray for the forgiveness of his or her sins; forgiveness of sins being spiritual healing ( cf. Isaiah 6:10 and Mark 4:12, for example ): the confession of such sins indicates to us what to pray for. Returning to verse thirteen, we must repent of our sins ( see Luke 13:3, for example ), confess and forsake them ( see Proverbs 28:13, for example ); avoiding such evil so that we will have forgiveness of it.
Finally, with regard to verse one, we must restore the one caught in a transgression "in a spirit of gentleness." We must also watch ourselves regarding the temptation to transgress God's law ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, 151, John 17:1, 3, 17, 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, and 1 John 3:4 ( KJV, for example ), for example ). We must bring back anyone among us who "wanders from the truth" ( as we read in verse nineteen, above ). Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ), and Revelation 1:1-3 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
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<Russell E. Willis>.
