Bearing Our Brothers' Burdens

October 1st, 2026
by Lance Waldie

Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

In 6:1 Paul imagines a situation in which a Christian is “caught in any trespass.” To be “caught” is to be “overtaken” by something, and in this case the something is “any trespass,” that is, any ongoing sin. Since the verb for “caught” is in the passive voice, Paul imagines one who, as a result of not walking by the Spirit (5:16, 25), has been acted upon by his rebellion. One should not imagine one who was caught in the sense that they were found out; instead, Paul has in mind someone who has fallen to temptation and is suffering as a result of his sin. They are “caught” like an animal in a trap, overtaken by sin and unable to find release from it.

What exactly is the responsibility of a Christian walking by the Spirit who sees a brother or sister overtaken by sin and caught in its trap? Should he look the other way? Should he call the pastor of the church and have him deal with it? Should he consult with wise people and talk about the sinning believer? None of the above! Paul gives the proper course of action, reveals whose responsibility it is, and discloses how it is to be done in Galatians 6:1-2.

First, Paul reveals that it is the responsibility of you who are “spiritual” (Gr. pneumatikos), that is, the one walking in the Spirit (cf. 5:16, 25). This entails any Christian who is actually living out his or her faith. It does not mean that they are perfect or seminary-trained. Second, they are to “restore” the Christian caught in sin. The verb for “restore” (katarizō) is used outside of Scripture as a medical term for setting a broken bone. So in restoring a sinning believer, the mature believer is to set straight the one overtaken by sin, relieving him or her. The sin cannot be neglected, and it is not, at this stage, to be publicly rebuked. Third, the restoration of the sinner is to be done “in a spirit of gentleness,” gentleness being a fruit of the Spirit (5:23). The sinner is not scorned or belittled but lovingly assisted. Finally, the mature believer who seeks to help is to look out for himself, for while assisting one caught in sin, they too could be tempted in their own weakness. For no matter how spiritual one is, no one is immune to the temptations of sin.

Watching over the children of God is not just the responsibility of the pastor and the church elders and deacons; it is the responsibility of all God’s redeemed people. We are to look out for one another and “bear one another’s burdens” (6:2). To “bear” is “to pick up; to carry.” Paul uses the present imperative verb here, meaning it is a command to always bear one another’s burdens. By so doing, one will “fulfill the law of Christ.” Of course the “law of Christ” concerns love for God and love for all people, especially Christians (John 13:34; 15:12; cf. 1 John 3:23).

Certainly the Scriptures teach believers to cast their burden upon the Lord so He can sustain them (Ps. 55:22; 1 Pet. 5:7). For Jesus called those heavy-laden to come to Him for rest (Matt. 11:28). After all, Jesus bore the sins of all believers on the cross. But the other burdens Christians carry—temptations to sin, worries, doubts, sorrows—require spiritual people for true comfort. God clearly works through His people to love and care for them, a truth the Apostle Paul attested to through his friendship with Titus and others (cf. 2 Cor. 7:5-6).

Food For Thought
If we walked by the Spirit we would love one another more, and if we loved one another more we would bear one another’s burdens, and if we bore one another’s burdens we would not shrink from seeking to restore a brother who has fallen into sin… If we obeyed this apostolic instruction as we should, much unkind gossip would be avoided, more serious backsliding prevented, the good of the Church advanced, and the name of Christ glorified —John Stott.