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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
- NASB Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
- NLT Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When someone is caught in sin, the spiritual should gently restore them, watching themselves lest they too be tempted. Restoration, not condemnation, marks Spirit-led community.
Overview
Paul shows what Spirit-led love looks like when a believer falls into sin: the goal is gentle restoration, like setting a broken bone, not harsh judgment. The warning to 'look to yourself' guards against pride, reminding the restorer of his own vulnerability. This reflects Christ's gracious, humble dealing with sinners and models true pastoral care.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 37
- Rom 15:1We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Tim 2:25He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
- 2 Th 3:15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
- Jas 5:19–20My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- Jude 1:22–23And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
- 1 Jn 5:16If 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 Cor 2:7So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
- Ezek 34:16I 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.’
- 1 Cor 10:12So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- Rom 14:1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- Heb 12:13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
- 1 Pet 3:15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
- Matt 18:12–15What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
- 1 Cor 4:21Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
- Jas 3:2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
- Isa 35:3–4Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
- Matt 9:13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Job 4:3–4Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
- 2 Cor 10:1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
- Gal 2:11–13When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.
- 1 Cor 14:37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
- Luke 15:22–32But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
- 1 Cor 7:5Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
- Rom 8:6The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
- 1 Cor 2:15The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
- Jas 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Matt 11:29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Luke 15:4–7“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
- Heb 13:3Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.
- Gal 5:23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- 2 Sam 11:2One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.
- Num 20:10–13Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”
- Gen 9:20–24Now Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.
- 1 Cor 3:1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
- Gen 12:11–13As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman,
- Matt 26:75Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
- Matt 26:69Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.
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Christ at the center
Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the law's curse, that we might receive the Spirit and be sons — justified by faith in him, not by works.
How Galatians 6:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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