Paul often closes his Epistles with a few words (sometime more than that) of practical advice. After teaching DOCTRINE for around half his “pen time,” he then switches and teaches PRACTICE! (Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy, then call it!)

Doctrine is what be believe. 

Practice is how we behave (based on what we believe)!

And Galatians 6:2 is as “practical” as a verse of Scripture can be. Here it is: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” 

Sweet, precious … yet demanding!

First let’s note that the admonition is a command! Yes, it is expressed (written) here in the imperative mood. We Christians owe that to each other, to bear one another’s burdens!

This is also a second person plural verb, in the present tense no less! Paul is writing to all (plural) the saints in Galatia. And he means this command, this “burden bearing” activity to be an ongoing ministry, “present” tense. Every day!

The Greek verb for “bear” is “bastazo,” used only 27 times in the New Testament. It simply means “to pick something up and carry it.”

In Matthew 3:11, for example, John the Baptist did not consider himself worthy “to bear” (to tote) Jesus’ shoes!

Mark 14:13 mentions a young man “bearing” (carrying) a pitcher of water.

In Luke 7:14 a group of young men were “bearing” a dead man’s casket.

You get the idea, I’m sure.

All us Christians are to do what we can to “bear” each other’s “heavy loads.”

The noun “burdens” is commensurate here as well. (Commensurate means “corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.)

It is “baros,” sparsely (thinly dispersed or scattered) used in the New Testament, just 6 times.

And “baros” especially emphasizes the HEAVINESS of a load of freight! (Not necessarily in regard to “size,” but to sheer “weight!”)

Wow!

Here is “baros” in a good sense. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal WEIGHT of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17, praise the Lord!

What a Verse today.

Again … “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” 

That part about “fulfilling (“anaplero” … to the very brim, that very full) the Law of Christ” means essentially “as Jesus did!” Or as “based on the Love of Christ.” Or even as “fulfilling the Law of Moses, but in a Holy Spirit mandated fashion!” 

Wow!

Love!

Help, compassion!

Burden bearing!

That’s the OIL with which the machinery of Christianity most smoothly works, functions!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Here’s the spirit of today’s verse worded differently, but still from Galatians. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, BUT BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.” Galatians 5:13