Bearing One Another's Burdens
“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. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
The Apostle Paul calls us to a life of love and humility, urging us to restore those who stumble with gentleness and to bear one another’s burdens. This, he says, fulfills the “law of Christ.” But what is this law, and how do we live it out in a world often marked by pride and self-reliance?
As the David Guzik, explains, the law of Christ is rooted in Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Paul, battling legalism among the Galatians, redirects their focus from imposing burdens to lifting them, fulfilling Christ’s law of love. This law is not about rigid rules but about sacrificial, burden-bearing love that mirrors Jesus’ care for us.
Yet pride often obstructs this calling. As Guzik notes, “Pride is self-focus… [saying] 'I’m more important than you are, so I deserve more of my own attention and love than you do.’ Pride can make us hesitant to help others or reluctant to accept help, viewing it as weakness. Biblical humility, however, says, 'I am no more important than you are. Let me care about your burdens and needs.'" When we set aside self-focus, we create space to restore others gently and share their heavy loads.
There seems to be contradiction between verse 2 and verse 5. In verse 2, Paul calls believers to bear one another’s burdens, but in verse 5 he writes, “For each will have to bear his own load.”
But Paul’s use of two Greek words for burden clarifies this mutual responsibility. In Galatians 6:2, burdens (baros) refers to heavy, overwhelming loads—those too great for one person to carry alone. In contrast, Galatians 6:5 uses load (phortion), a term for a personal backpack, signifying our individual responsibilities before God (Guzik). So there’s no contradiction here: we are accountable for our own “backpack” of duties, but we’re called to help others with their crushing burdens, fulfilling Christ’s law of love.
This passage also corrects a common misinterpretation of the saying, “God will never put more on you than you can handle.” Often, this is applied to life’s burdens, but Paul is addressing temptation, not overwhelming circumstances. But even in temptation we overcome not by our own power but by seeking God’s way of escape, through His Word, Spirit, and/or community, trusting His faithfulness to guide us.
The truth is life’s burdens can indeed be more than we can bear alone. This urges us to trust His sovereignty. Moreover, God allows these heavy loads to drive us to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and to lean on one another in community. By bearing each other’s burdens, we reflect Christ’s love and fulfill His law.
Ask God to reveal where pride or self-focus may be hindering you from bearing another’s burden or accepting help. Look for someone struggling under a heavy load and offer gentle support, whether through prayer, encouragement, or practical help. Likewise, humbly share your burdens with trusted believers, trusting God’s design for community. In doing so, you will fulfill the law of Christ, displaying His love to a watching world.
The Apostle Paul calls us to a life of love and humility, urging us to restore those who stumble with gentleness and to bear one another’s burdens. This, he says, fulfills the “law of Christ.” But what is this law, and how do we live it out in a world often marked by pride and self-reliance?
As the David Guzik, explains, the law of Christ is rooted in Jesus’ command in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Paul, battling legalism among the Galatians, redirects their focus from imposing burdens to lifting them, fulfilling Christ’s law of love. This law is not about rigid rules but about sacrificial, burden-bearing love that mirrors Jesus’ care for us.
Yet pride often obstructs this calling. As Guzik notes, “Pride is self-focus… [saying] 'I’m more important than you are, so I deserve more of my own attention and love than you do.’ Pride can make us hesitant to help others or reluctant to accept help, viewing it as weakness. Biblical humility, however, says, 'I am no more important than you are. Let me care about your burdens and needs.'" When we set aside self-focus, we create space to restore others gently and share their heavy loads.
There seems to be contradiction between verse 2 and verse 5. In verse 2, Paul calls believers to bear one another’s burdens, but in verse 5 he writes, “For each will have to bear his own load.”
But Paul’s use of two Greek words for burden clarifies this mutual responsibility. In Galatians 6:2, burdens (baros) refers to heavy, overwhelming loads—those too great for one person to carry alone. In contrast, Galatians 6:5 uses load (phortion), a term for a personal backpack, signifying our individual responsibilities before God (Guzik). So there’s no contradiction here: we are accountable for our own “backpack” of duties, but we’re called to help others with their crushing burdens, fulfilling Christ’s law of love.
This passage also corrects a common misinterpretation of the saying, “God will never put more on you than you can handle.” Often, this is applied to life’s burdens, but Paul is addressing temptation, not overwhelming circumstances. But even in temptation we overcome not by our own power but by seeking God’s way of escape, through His Word, Spirit, and/or community, trusting His faithfulness to guide us.
The truth is life’s burdens can indeed be more than we can bear alone. This urges us to trust His sovereignty. Moreover, God allows these heavy loads to drive us to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and to lean on one another in community. By bearing each other’s burdens, we reflect Christ’s love and fulfill His law.
Ask God to reveal where pride or self-focus may be hindering you from bearing another’s burden or accepting help. Look for someone struggling under a heavy load and offer gentle support, whether through prayer, encouragement, or practical help. Likewise, humbly share your burdens with trusted believers, trusting God’s design for community. In doing so, you will fulfill the law of Christ, displaying His love to a watching world.