Galatians 6:1

Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian believers as "brothers" (adelphoi), issuing a directive for how the community is to handle a member who has stumbled into a trespass.

The words — Paraptōma (trespass) literally means a "stumbling" or "falling beside," a slip rather than a deliberate crime. Prolēmphthēa (caught/overcome) evokes being snared, as in a net.

The thread — The same posture of gentle, brotherly correction appears in 2 Timothy 2:25 and 2 Thessalonians 3:15, while Romans 15:1 frames the underlying principle: the strong bear with the weak.

Why it lands — It asks the reader to restore a fallen brother with gentleness while simultaneously warning that the restorer is not immune to the same temptation. The instruction is two-edged: act toward another, guard yourself.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
2 Timothy 2:25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
Jude 1:22 And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
2 Corinthians 2:7 So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.