Our Verse for today: “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:3
This emphasis is nearly the opposite of the last two verses we’ve studied! Such as having “the spirit of meekness” back in verse 1 (of Galatians 6) and “bearing one another’s burdens” back in verse 2.
Now (here in verse 3) it’s a man really (but falsely) “thinking himself to be something!”
Wow!
The verb “think” here is “dokeo.” In the present tense, no less! This person “thinks” (“esteems, evaluates, deems”)that he is pretty special every day he lives! Habitually so!
By the way, the pronoun for “himself” (in Greek “tis”) is (as indicated in the King James Version) in the masculine gender. (Although undoubtedly ladies can sin in this area as well.) But Paul does have the MEN in mind here! The men who have been arguing over the Gospel of Grace, some denying its sole power to save sinners!
Remember Proverbs 13:10 … “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Especially that first clause! (And “thinking oneself to be SOMETHING” sure sounds like pride!) Hence the Galatian “contention,” that needless doctrinal “controversy!”
For “something” read “someone powerfully significant!” A “big shot” the old timers would have said! But self-conceited, in reality!
Then Paul “drops the hammer” so to speak, bursts that man’s inflated “bubble” … “when he is nothing!”
Using a verb and an adjective … “to be” and “no way, nothing, no one!”
In truth the man is as “little” as he perceives himself to be “big!”
Wow!
Is Paul (in context) saying that this vain man “who thinks himself great” will be of no help whatsoever in “restoring a fallen brother?” Or in “bearing someone else’s burdens?”
I think so.
Then our Text verse draws a conclusion: this man “deceiveth himself.” (Another verb – adjective combo!) But a surprise verb awaits us here!
For “deceive” one would have expected the simple “apatao,” meaning “misled” but with some logical reason for being so deluded. With an “objective” emphasis! (Well, he DID graduate summa cum laude! Or … he IS the best preacher around! Or … do you know what honorable family heritage he POSSESSES?)
He is still deceived … but can give you two or three reasons why he is so puffed up!
But instead, the Holy Spirit has Paul use the verb “phrenapatao,” simply meaning “deceived” but with no reason whatsoever informing his vanity, his pride!
The term literally means “to lead one’s own mind (‘phren’ in Greek) astray!”
Wow!
How silly!
A man intoxicated on his own (perceived) self-worth!
Thus a man useless in the Body of Christ, in the area of helping others anyway.
This verse also may have linkage to Galatians 2:2 which talks about those who were “of reputation!” And Galatians 2:6 where some people “seemed to be somewhat!” In both instances our verb “dokeo” is used. Translated “thinketh” here in our Text today. It seems the Galatian Churches were overly saturated with such pride!
“Nobodies” thinking themselves to be “Somebodies!”
Sad!
Oh, Jesus would have taught them that to ever be a real somebody for Christ … you’d need to make yourself a “nobody” first … by going out and serving and serving and serving others!
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Oh how we need humility in our lives!
