p. 60 | PAUL NOT AGAINST PAUL

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 21, 1862

PAUL NOT AGAINST PAUL.

UNBELIEF finds many contradictions in the holy Scriptures. Faith searches for a harmony, and finds it. The epistles of Paul embrace much in few words, hence we do not find every idea introduced by the apostle so explained and guarded as to give the skeptic no chance to doubt. He would take advantage of this, and even seek to make Paul appear against Paul.

The skeptic feels confident that he finds Paul against Paul in Gal. vi, 1–5. For in verse 2 the apostle says, Bear ye one another's burdens, and in verse 5 he says, Every man shall bear his own burden. If we take these two expressions separated from their connections, one is against the other. But if we view them with their connections, there is harmony. We will now notice them with their connections.

Verses 1, 2. "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. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

In examining these precious words of Paul we would remark,

1. That the duty to bear one another's burdens, mentioned in verse 2, is under the peculiar circumstances stated in verse 1. When a brother is overtaken in a fault, and loses his confidence and spiritual strength, then he needs the assistance of others to bear his burdens until he is restored.

2. That it is the duty of those only who are spiritual to engage in the work of restoring the brother who is overtaken in a fault. Take care, unconsecrated brother, how you meddle with the faults of the erring, lest you make matters worse.

3. That this work is to be done in the spirit of meekness. Then only those who are really meek can do it. Even the spiritual should try their own spirits, and know that they are in a state of mind where they can in the spirit of meekness put the shoulder under a fallen brother's burden and bear it for him till he gets strength to stand.

4. That the spiritual brother while bearing a fallen brother's burden may be benefited by the consideration that he, too, is liable to be tempted. This shows that the best are in danger, hence the necessity of watchfulness and prayer.

5. That it is evident that the injunction, "Bear ye one another's burdens," does not apply to all circumstances; but only under the circumstances specified, namely, when a brother is overtaken in a fault.

6. That the "law of Christ" here mentioned does not mean a code given by Jesus Christ; but the principle exhibited in the mission and ministry of Christ. (There are other places where the word law does not refer to a code of precepts. See Rom. vii, 21, 23; viii, 2.) Not one selfish act was seen in the life of Christ. It was disinterested benevolence that moved him in pity, when our first parents were overtaken in a fault, to bear the burden for them and the race.

We fulfil, or carry out, this principle, when we bear a fallen brother's burden in laboring to restore him. "Love one another as I have loved you."

Verses 3–5. "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden."

In reference to these words of the apostle we would remark that they do not apply to any peculiar circumstances, but have a general application to all christians, during the whole period of their probation, while forming characters for everlasting life. "Let every man prove his own work," is the cutting admonition of the apostle. This is an individual work. Every man must deny himself and bear the cross. Every man must pray for himself, watch for himself, and overcome for himself. Every man's works are written, and in the judgment he must stand for himself. In this sense every man must bear his own burden. The injunction, then, "bear ye one another's burdens," is an exception to this general rule, only under the circumstances mentioned, namely, when a brother in a fault needs restoring. When restored, he must double his diligence to redeem the time. His fall has weakened him, hence a double watch, and to be more frequent in prayer, is necessary. Be not deceived by a false idea of the expression, "bear ye one another's burdens," as if one might be borne to the kingdom of God on the shoulders of others. "For every man shall bear his own burden."