Galatians 6:2
What does Galatians 6:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 6:2 means
Believers are commanded to shoulder one another’s heavy loads. These may be moral struggles, griefs, or practical pressures. Carrying them together fulfills “the law of Christ,” the pattern of love He taught and embodied. Paul ties true spirituality to active, supportive love in the real difficulties of life. This is not meddling; it is compassionate presence and practical help. When the strong help the weak, they reflect the heart of their Lord, who bore others’ burdens supremely. Mutual burden-bearing is both a privilege and a responsibility, and it stands as a test of whether our faith operates through love as Christ intends.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Take on yourselves one another's troubles, and so keep the law of Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862of one another the burdens bear ye, and so fill up the law of the Christ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfil the law of the Christ.
Context
Flowing from the gentle restoration of verse 1, verse 2 widens the lens to include all kinds of burdens within the church family. It clarifies that the Spirit-led life is communal, not merely private. Immediately after, verses 3–5 warn against pride and comparison, which would undermine this ministry of mercy. The idea of fulfilling the law of Christ links love and obedience, countering the legalism threatening Galatia by showing the true shape of gospel-formed living: serving one another in love.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:13
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
- John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
- John 15:12
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.
- Numbers 11:11
And Moses said unto Jehovah, Wherefore hast thou dealt ill with thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favor in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
- Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
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