Galatians 6:1

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

Ἀδελφοί Brethren G80
Ἀδελφοί Brethren
Strong's: G80
Word #: 1 of 23
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐὰν if G1437
ἐὰν if
Strong's: G1437
Word #: 2 of 23
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προληφθῇ be overtaken G4301
προληφθῇ be overtaken
Strong's: G4301
Word #: 4 of 23
to take in advance, i.e., (literally) eat before others have an opportunity; (figuratively) to anticipate, surprise
ἄνθρωπος a man G444
ἄνθρωπος a man
Strong's: G444
Word #: 5 of 23
man-faced, i.e., a human being
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 6 of 23
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τινι a G5100
τινι a
Strong's: G5100
Word #: 7 of 23
some or any person or object
παραπτώματι fault G3900
παραπτώματι fault
Strong's: G3900
Word #: 8 of 23
a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e., (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression
ὑμεῖς ye G5210
ὑμεῖς ye
Strong's: G5210
Word #: 9 of 23
you (as subjective of verb)
τὸν which G3588
τὸν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνευματικοὶ are spiritual G4152
πνευματικοὶ are spiritual
Strong's: G4152
Word #: 11 of 23
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
καταρτίζετε restore G2675
καταρτίζετε restore
Strong's: G2675
Word #: 12 of 23
to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust
τὸν which G3588
τὸν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοιοῦτον such an one G5108
τοιοῦτον such an one
Strong's: G5108
Word #: 14 of 23
truly this, i.e., of this sort (to denote character or individuality)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 15 of 23
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
πνεύματι the spirit G4151
πνεύματι the spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 16 of 23
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
πρᾳότητος, of meekness G4236
πρᾳότητος, of meekness
Strong's: G4236
Word #: 17 of 23
gentleness, by implication, humility
σκοπῶν considering G4648
σκοπῶν considering
Strong's: G4648
Word #: 18 of 23
to take aim at (spy), i.e., (figuratively) regard
σεαυτόν thyself G4572
σεαυτόν thyself
Strong's: G4572
Word #: 19 of 23
of (with, to) thyself
μὴ lest G3361
μὴ lest
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 20 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
καὶ also G2532
καὶ also
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 21 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σὺ thou G4771
σὺ thou
Strong's: G4771
Word #: 22 of 23
thou
πειρασθῇς be tempted G3985
πειρασθῇς be tempted
Strong's: G3985
Word #: 23 of 23
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

Analysis & Commentary

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. Paul begins chapter 6 with pastoral instruction on church discipline. "Brethren" (adelphoi, ἀδελφοί)—fellow believers. "If a man be overtaken in a fault" (ean kai prolēmphthē anthrōpos en tini paraptōmati)—if someone is caught, surprised, overtaken in any transgression. Prolambanomai (προλαμβάνομαι) suggests being caught unexpectedly, overtaken before one realizes. Paraptōma (παράπτωμα) is a slip, false step, trespass—not habitual sin but stumbling.

"Ye which are spiritual" (hymeis hoi pneumatikoi, ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοί)—you who are Spirit-led, walking in the Spirit (5:25). "Restore such an one" (katartizete ton toiouton, καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον)—restore, mend, set right. Katartizō means to restore to original condition, like setting a broken bone or mending nets (Matthew 4:21). "In the spirit of meekness" (en pneumati praytētos)—with gentleness, humility. "Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (skopōn seauton, mē kai sy peirasthēs)—watch yourself carefully, lest you also be tempted. Restorative discipline requires humble self-awareness of one's own vulnerability to sin.

Historical Context

Church discipline was essential in early Christianity for maintaining community purity and helping straying members (Matthew 18:15-18, 1 Corinthians 5). Paul prescribes gentle restoration, not harsh condemnation. The goal is restoration, not punishment. "Spiritual" people—those walking in the Spirit—have both wisdom and gentleness to restore fallen brothers. This contrasts with Pharisaic judgmentalism and legalistic harshness. Jesus modeled restorative discipline (John 8:1-11, 21:15-19). The church should neither ignore sin nor crush sinners, but restore gently with awareness of shared vulnerability.

Questions for Reflection

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