We are discussing (studying) a single verse of Scripture for a few days! That being Galatians 6:1 … “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Today we must take some note of the initial verb “be overtaken.”

I (surprisingly) see that it is written in the “passive” voice! The Greek word is “prolambano.”

This is a sin in which a man (or woman) is “captured!” He is “caught” by this temptation!  This error (whatever it may have been) reached out its hand (its long tentacle) and “laid hold of” its victim!

Unforeseen!

Now, I am not blaming God for this “fault!” James 1:13-14 is clear: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

But still, James’ truth must be balanced with Paul’s truth here.

This Galatians 6:1 “fault” is extremely persuasive and powerful … and deceptive!

Next I tell you the verb (“prolambano”) is here expressed in the subjunctive mood. It is not an unavoidable situation! It is a suppositional situation! Sort of … “just in case” a man sins, then one of you should try to help restore him!

Then the verb is singular … not a whole crowd of Galatians so sinning, just one individual! Paul is not even imagining a mass defection here!

But there is more to tell about “be overtaken,” about “prolambano.”

The word is only used 3 times in the whole New Testament. That’s all I can find, anyway.

Here are the other two occurrences, apart from our Text today.

In Mark 14:8 Jesus is commending a woman who has been anointing His Head with very expensive perfume! He observed: “She is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” The verb “is come beforehand” … that’s “prolambano,” folks!

Then Paul (in 1 Corinthians 11:21), when rebuking wrongful behavior at the Lord’s Supper,  wrote: “For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.” And here “taketh before” is “prolambano.”

Wow!

Now here’s a definition for “prolambano” that fits our context. It is a “fault” (a sin) that runs ahead of a person … covertly crouches in ambush … and jumps out to capture him! Particularly if he is aware of his current dangerous situation, if he is not extremely alert!

Of, the deceptiveness of sin!

I am saying this person did NOT deliberately plan to fall into this sin.

He was “deceived, tricked, outsmarted” by it!

And after all, the devil is a deceiver!

Note: the erring person is still responsible for his wrongdoing. But he was deceived! 

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

More next Lesson, the Lord willing.