Some claim a contradiction in Galatians when Paul says to bear one another's burdens and then says each must bear his own burden. This supposed contradiction is based on the wording in the KJV translation. Here are the two verses that the skeptic uses to substantiate this claim:
(Gal 6:2 KJV) "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." |
(Gal 6:5 KJV) "For every man shall bear his own burden." |
The Greek words translated "burden" in these two verses are different and are translated differently in most modern translations:
The Greek words:
In vs 5 when it is said that "every man shall bear his own burden", the usage is like an invoice of freight, an assigned weight to carry by the owner or master of the freight carrier. God has assigned burdens (consequences or punishments) based on man's actions as can be seen in these Old Testament examples (searching for the Hebrew words "nasa'" (bear, Strong's 05375) and "`avon" (burden, Strong's 05771))
When man gains atonement from God, the burden of the iniquity is lifted...
Thus in the 3 other passages (occurs twice in Lu 11:36) where the Greek word "phortion" is used in the New Testament it is the assignment of burden by either God or evil men that is spoken of (i.e. an invoice as part of freight -- or an assignment of burden to carry by the master):
Thus, with regard to carrying an assigned burden by God, it is based on man's actions (sins) and his relationship with God, and no man can share the burden of this, but each one must carry their own load (Gal. 6:5). The burden here is the obligations or consequences of service to God. The Bible throughout presents man with two choices: (1) life, or (2) death. The choice to submit to God brings life and the choice to reject God brings death. The consequences of serving sin is a heavy burden, while the consequences of serving God is a "light" burden. Jesus said that his yoke is "easy" and his burden "light" (Mt 11:30). One of the consequences of serving God is that just as men persecuted the Christ, so we can expect opposition from evil men (Mt 10:24-25). Paul wrote about the opposition that he faced as a "light affliction" which brought a great weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17).
However there are other "burdens" that we carry that are consequences of our choices or circumstances that others can carry. When Moses was attempting to judge Israel by himself, the circumstances of the burden was too great and on the advice of Jethro, he delegated the burden so that it was bearable (Ex 18:22)
In the passage of interest (Gal 6:2), it speaks of a person has become overwhelmed by the burdens of sin, and calls upon those who are in Christ (i.e. those "who are spiritual") to restore him. That does not mean to bear the burdens so that he can continue in sin, but rather to bear some of his burden to prevent him from stumbling in his walk with God. This is a fulfillment of the "law of Christ" -- which is apparently a reference to the statement made by Jesus when he was asked which of the commandments was the greatest and ...:
(Matthew 22:37-39) "Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' {38} "This is the first and great commandment. {39} "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Thus, Jesus directed his followers to bear burdens of others as part of the direction to "love your neighbor as yourself", with the goal being to "restore" him to a walk with God. One of the ways that a person can be overcome by sin is to be lifted up with pride and deceive himself (v3), so those who seek to restore shall take heed lest they stumble as well. The goal for this work is described in vs 4 so that he can test, examine (KJV: prove) his own work so that he can rejoice in a relationship with God.
The reason for self-examination is an acknowledgement that when it comes to "bearing iniquity" (or guilt), that is a load assigned by God and no one can help anyone else with that. When we stand before God in judgment we stand alone with only our advocate, the Lord Jesus. (2 Cor 5:10)
There is no contradiction here. We can help others in restoring them to a walk with God, but we cannot take away any of their burden of guilt. Each person bears their own guilt in the sight of God. The NLT best translates this:
Galatians 1:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. {2} Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ... {5} For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
-- David A. Duncan