Restoring the Erring
(Galatians 6:1)
Mike Johnson
The book of Galatians can be divided into three sections. Chapters 1-2 are autobiographical as Paul defends his apostleship, which is a foundation for what follows. Chapters 3-4 are doctrinal. Here, Paul defends his message about salvation through Christ without the works of the old law. Finally, chapters 5-6 are practical, especially 5:16 through 6:10. These verses pertain to daily Christian living and emphasize how we are to live and walk in the Spirit (5:16, 25).
As we also learn from chapter 5 (13-14, 22), love for others is a part of walking in the Spirit. One way we show this love is found in Galatians 6:1, which says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Our study comes from this verse, which gives us answers to six questions on the subject of restoring those who go astray. After discussing these questions, we will address other issues connected to restoring the erring.
Who Is He Addressing?
He is addressing the “brethren.” This word had various meanings in Paul’s day as it does today. However, in this verse, along with over 100 other times in the New Testament, he uses it to refer to fellow Christians. Thayer defines the Greek word as “fellow-believer, united to another by the bond of affection; so most frequently of Christians, constituting as it were but a single family” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). In Galatians, he uses this term eleven times; in other places, he even uses the phrase “beloved brethren” (1 Thess. 1:8; 1 Cor. 15:58). Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God — a part of the same spiritual household or family (Gal. 6:10; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:19).
Previously, Paul called the Galatians “foolish Galatians” and also asked, “Are you so foolish?” (3:1, 3) He was also amazed that they were “turning away so soon” from the gospel of Christ (1:6). However, his use of this the term “brethren” depicts a more conciliatory tone. Earlier, he even referred to them as “my little children” (4:19), so, in the letter, he mixes strong rebuke with affectionate exhortation.
What Is the Situation?
He speaks of a person overtaken in any trespass or sin. The Greek word translated “overtaken” (NKJV) is also commonly rendered “caught.” Scholars tell us that the verb correctly translates either way. It can mean “overtake” or “detect.” Because of this, two possible interpretations exist for this part of the verse.
The first approach pertains to the element of surprise, which a temptation often involves. A person may be caught off guard and then yield. As it might be put, “It is not so much the brother overtaking the trespass but the trespass overtaking the brother.” The other interpretation may involve a brother simply determining that another is engaged in sin; perhaps the sin is intentional and premeditated. Regardless, a particular response is required.
Who Should Act?
The spiritual person takes action. Interestingly, the writer is not just addressing preachers, elders, and deacons but all who are spiritual. A spiritual person is one who “walks in the Spirit” (5:16) and is “led by the Spirit (5:18). It involves people who produce the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23), not the “works of the flesh (5:19-21), in their lives.
However, a spiritual person is not a perfect person. If perfection is required, no one would be able to obey this commandment. People who fit this qualification earnestly try to obey God’s Word and walk in the Spirit. If we are not spiritual, we will probably be unsuccessful in restoring the erring. (Note Matthew 7:1-6)
What Is the Mission?
The spiritual person is trying to restore the erring. The definition of the Greek word translated restore is “ . . . to put a thing in its appropriate condition, to establish, set up, equip, arrange, prepare, mend.” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary) The word was also used to refer to repairing a fish net.
Paul states the goal in 2 Timothy 2:26, which says, “and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” So we are trying to free someone from the “snare of the devil.”
Thus, the mission is not to aggravate, scold, or tell the person off. Instead, it is to get the erring Christian to repent, straighten out a problem, and turn away from sin.
What Attitude Should Exist?
The person who goes to restore the erring should do so with gentleness. This disposition should always characterize Christians. Earlier (5:23), he identifies gentleness as a “fruit of the Spirit.” Elsewhere, Paul told a young evangelist (Timothy) the same basic message. “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition . . . (2 Tim. 2:24-25a). So even in our attempt to correct someone, we must have a gentle disposition.
Yet, in this book and elsewhere, Paul often used straightforward language in dealing with those who taught false doctrine and engaged in immorality. Is Paul inconsistent? No, Paul does not violate his own teaching. The conclusion to be drawn is this: we are to have an attitude of love and approach people with gentleness, but this does not preclude being forthright when needed as we try and get people to do right.
What Danger Exists?
According to the last part of the verse, a danger exists. The peril is that the person doing the restoring might “also be tempted.” He might approach the erring one with an arrogant attitude, like the Pharisee who went to the temple to pray. He said, “ . . . God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector” (Lk. 18:11). A person could sin while trying to bring back the wayward. Therefore, the person doing the restoring should not have a prideful attitude, full of conceit (5:26), and must recognize that he could be in the same position later. If so, how would he want to be treated?
Other Critical Issues
- Restoring the erring is extremely important. First, it is crucial because God tells us to do it. As Christians, we want to obey God’s commands (Heb. 5:8-9). Further, it is also essential because the soul of someone is at stake. James 5:19-20 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” To have our sins “covered,” means they have been forgiven (Ps. 32:1; 85:2-3). The “death” under consideration is spiritual death. (We will all die from a physical standpoint regardless of whether we repent.) Sin causes spiritual death, and when we turn back from our sins, we are saved from eternal punishment.
- Trying to restore an erring person might not be pleasant. A wayward person may resent the visit. Someone might say, “What about you?” They may say bad things about us to other people despite the love and gentle attitude we have shown. This work can be discouraging, but it is still our responsibility to try and help them.
- What if they do not repent? Ideally, we visit them and, like David, they say, “I have sinned” (2 Sam. 12:13). But, sometimes, they might resist our efforts to get them to repent and do right. If this happens, we must continue patiently working with them (2 Tim. 2:24-26; 4:1-2). Others might also try and help in the effort (Mt. 18:15-17). There is a point when church discipline is necessary (1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 3:6-10). We must keep in mind; that some may have a hardened heart and may never repent (Heb. 6:4-6). Regardless, we must not get discouraged in our efforts to do what this passage tells us. Remember, the souls of people are at stake.
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