Paul returns again and again to the theme of human nothingness. The Apostle often said of himself that he was nothing, while advising others, as in the Epistle to the Galatians, not to imagine themselves to be something great or exceptional when they were nothing. Such a self-assessment and such an appeal are entirely appropriate in the context of...
Paul returns again and again to the theme of human nothingness. The Apostle often said of himself that he was nothing, while advising others, as in the Epistle to the Galatians, not to imagine themselves to be something great or exceptional when they were nothing. Such a self-assessment and such an appeal are entirely appropriate in the context of the understanding of poverty as a spiritual state that in Paul's time was commonplace in Jewish and early Christian spiritual tradition alike. Indeed, poverty as a spiritual state is defined by the fact that, by virtue of having been created, a person is in a certain sense not his own. What makes him human is the “breath of life” that God, at creation, “breathes” into his “nostrils.” It is this that makes the human being the image of God. Yet this breath does not belong to the person; it remains God's, and the person remains human only so long as he preserves it and insofar as he is conscious of it. Once he realizes fully that his own existence as the image of God does not depend on him at all, that it is wholly God's work and that he himself can only participate in it, he understands himself as nothing, as having no existence apart from God's action.
Human nature, then, not to mention everything that belongs to a person, begins to be understood merely as an outward shell, as a set of tools given by God, as something received from Him on loan for accomplishing the tasks that God sets before a person during his life. Understanding himself in this way, a person becomes a perfect instrument of God. He can now help his neighbor if the latter has sinned, for God Himself will act through him, and God knows what to do. If, however, a person does not accept his own nonexistence, he will not thereby acquire another quality of being or become something he was not before; but he may well convince himself and even others that he is something when in fact he is nothing.
Such an illusion may prove costly in spiritual life generally, and especially in Christian life, for here the issue is the Kingdom, which can be found or lost in a single instant: one need only empty one's heart for it or, conversely, fill the heart with something of this world. It is these things, fundamental to Christian life, that Paul recalls to the recipients of his epistle, who had evidently forgotten them quite thoroughly.
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6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens - Sympathize with, and assist, each other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials. And so fulfil the law of Christ - The law of Christ (an uncommon expression) is the law of love: this our Lord peculiarly recommends; this he makes the distinguishing mark of his disciples.
6:3 If any one think himself to be something - Above his brethren, or by any strength of his own. When he is nothing, he deceiveth himself - He alone will bear their burdens, who knows himself to be nothing.
6:4 But let every man try his own work - Narrowly examine all he is, and all he doeth. And then he shall have rejoicing in himself - He will find in himself matter of rejoicing, if his works are right before God.And not in another - Not in glorying over others.
6:5 For every one shall bear his own burden - ln that day shall give an account of himself to God.
6:6 Let him that is taught impart to him that teacheth all such temporal good things as he stands in need of.
6:7 God is not mocked - Although they attempt to mock him, who think to reap otherwise than they sow.
6:8 For he that now soweth to the flesh - That follows the desires of corrupt nature. Shall hereafter of the flesh - Out of this very seed.Reap corruption - Death everlasting. But he that soweth to the Spirit - That follows his guidance in all his tempers and conversation. Shall ofthe Spirit - By the free grace and power of God, reap life everlasting.
6:9 But let us not be weary in well doing - Let us persevere in sowing to the Spirit. For in due season - When the harvest is come, we shall reap, if we faint not.
6:10 Therefore as we have opportunity - At whatever time or place, and in whatever manner we can. The opportunity in general is our lifetime; but there are also many particular opportunities. Satan is quickened in doing hurt, by the shortness of the time, Rev 12:12.By the same consideration let us be quickened in doing good.Let us do good - In every possible kind, and in every possible degree.Unto all men - Neighbours or strangers, good or evil, friends or enemies.But especially to them who are of the household of faith.For all believers are but one family.