Articles
Bearing the Load
Paul urged in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” Three verses later he wrote, “For each one will bear his own load.” Is that a contradiction? Not at all! Consider two facts.
First, we bear a variety of burdens. Some burdens are the kind others can readily help with: they might offer financial assistance, personal service, encouragement, good counsel, etc. Restoration of a brother overtaken in a fault is another example (v. 1); that involves a rebuke, an exhortation, prayer, and forgiveness. Other burdens are such that there is little someone else can do beyond expressing concern and offering supplication—both of which are, of course, quite valuable.
Second, after others have done all they can do to help, it is still up to me to bear my load. Others may ease it, but they cannot completely lift it. And if for some reason others do less than I wish, that is no excuse for my own failure. Each one of us is accountable before God. Discipleship says that each must carry his cross (Luke 9:23). Verse 5 follows a sentence about our work, and that is something else I must do, regardless of the level of others’ assistance or activity.
Bear others’ burdens. Bear your own load. Both are true, and both must direct our hearts and lives.
