Galatians Chapter 6 · Verse 4
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργον
work
G2041
ἔργον
work
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
3 of 19
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
4 of 19
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
δοκιμαζέτω
let
G1381
δοκιμαζέτω
let
Strong's:
G1381
Word #:
5 of 19
to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
8 of 19
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
10 of 19
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καύχημα
rejoicing
G2745
καύχημα
rejoicing
Strong's:
G2745
Word #:
13 of 19
a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense
ἕξει
shall he have
G2192
ἕξει
shall he have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
14 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?Psalms 26:2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.1 Corinthians 11:28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.2 Corinthians 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Historical Context
Comparison was epidemic in the Galatian churches: Judaizers compared themselves favorably to Paul and other apostles; factions compared their leaders ("I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," 1 Corinthians 3:4); believers measured circumcision status. Paul commands: stop comparing! Examine your own work before God. God calls each uniquely; we'll answer for our stewardship, not others' (Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Contemporary social media culture exacerbates comparison's toxicity. Paul's remedy: test your work against God's calling, find satisfaction in faithfulness, cease comparing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does comparing yourself to others (favorably or unfavorably) distort your self-understanding and relationship with God?
- What does it mean to 'prove your own work'—examining your life honestly before God rather than in comparison to others?
- How can you find legitimate rejoicing in faithful service without falling into either pride or comparison?
Analysis & Commentary
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Paul prescribes self-examination. "But let every man prove his own work" (to de ergon heautou dokimazeto hekastos, τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἑαυτοῦ δοκιμαζέτω ἕκαστος)—let each person test, examine, approve his own work. Dokimazō (δοκιμάζω) means to test for genuineness, examine critically, prove. We're to examine our own lives, not others'. "And then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone" (kai tote eis heauton monon to kauchēma hexei, καὶ τότε εἰς ἑαυτὸν μόνον τὸ καύχημα ἕξει)—and then his boasting/rejoicing will be in himself alone, regarding his own work.
"And not in another" (kai ouk eis ton heteron, καὶ οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἕτερον)—not in comparison to another. Paul forbids comparative religion: measuring yourself against others to feel superior or inferior. Examine your work before God; if it's genuine, you can have quiet satisfaction. This isn't prideful boasting but sober self-assessment: am I faithfully doing what God called me to do? The standard is God's calling for me, not comparison with others' callings or achievements. This prevents both pride (I'm better than him) and despair (I'm worse than her).