For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Parallel translations
- WEB For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- BSB If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- NKJV For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- NASB For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- NLT If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
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
Anyone who thinks he is something when he is nothing deceives himself. Self-importance blinds a person to his own need and the call to serve others.
Overview
Paul warns against the pride that keeps people from humbly bearing others' burdens. Overestimating oneself is self-deception, since all stand in need of grace. This humbling reminder undercuts the conceit of verse 26 and prepares for honest self-examination, fostering the humility that genuine love requires.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Prov 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
- 1 Cor 8:2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- 1 Cor 3:18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
- Rom 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
- 2 Cor 3:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
- 1 Cor 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
- Rom 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
- Jas 1:22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- 1 Jn 1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Prov 25:14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
- Jas 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- 2 Tim 3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
- 2 Cor 12:11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
- Gal 2:6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
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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 6:3 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.