Have you ever read the first section of Galatians 6 (verses 1-6) and been a bit confused about the seeming contradiction in verses 2 and 5?
So have I. It hasn’t stuck out in my brain too much though. I almost shrug it off.
But the other day I was starting to read through this book called Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend and BOY did it encourage some thinking in my brain. This book answers questions like, “Can I say no and still be a loving person?” and gives biblically based answers to this question and others like it. And if you know me, you know that I ask this question quite often and have struggled with people telling me what my answer to this question should be.
In this specific section, they were talking about being responsible to others and for ourselves. An interesting concept. But what does it really mean? Enter Galatians 6 verses 2 and 5.
Galatians 6:2 says:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This verse talks about our responsibility to others.
Galatians 6:5 says:
“For each one should carry their own load.” This verse talks about our responsibility for ourselves.
And now the thought arises – “What the hay? I’m supposed to carry my own load and carry other people’s burdens? But other people are supposed to carry their own load... and I have burdens... what is going on here?!”
But then… they bust out the Greek translation.
I know, I know, you may be thinking, “I’ve never read Greek. What’s the big deal?” But just trust me for a second. Galatians was originally written in Greek – so let’s just see where this goes. This is how they broke it down, and I consulted a friend of mine who is studying Greek to confirm they weren’t off on their explanations. Check it out:
In verse 2, the Greek word for burden means “the experience of something that is particularly oppressive, weighing heavily on the mind or spirit.” This burden is something very heavy, a boulder for example. It is too heavy for one person to carry and may break their back if they do it alone. Denying ourselves to do for others what they cannot do for themselves is showing the sacrificial love of Christ. This is what Christ did for us.
In verse 5, the Greek word for load means “that which constitutes a load for transport, or that which is carried.” This load is like an everyday thing, a backpack for example. It is something we are expected to carry ourselves. You wouldn’t leave the house with things you need in your backpack and immediately hand it off to someone else who is not coming with you as you get in your car. We must take ownership of certain aspects of our lives that are our own load, such as our feelings, responsibilities, attitudes, and behaviors.
They finish this section off with this quote: “Problems arise when people act as if their ‘boulders’ are daily loads and refuse to help, or as if their ‘daily loads’ are boulders they shouldn’t have to carry. The results of these two instances are perpetual pain or irresponsibility.”
CAN WE JUST GIVE A HAND FOR THESE WORDS OF WISDOM? I LOVE IT!
This section was very thought provoking for me. Demonstrating the love of Christ means that I can come alongside others to help them do what they cannot do themselves. Maybe that looks like helping out when a loved one passes away, maybe it is offering help when you know home life is frightening for some, or maybe it looks like helping someone with mental illness to get help.
However, demonstrating the love of Christ does not mean I have to take responsibility for other people’s emotions or reactions. That is not my load to carry. I can love them, I can support them, but it is not my load. It is important for us to faithfully do and say what God has asked us to do and say. Sometimes, he wants us to say “no” to certain things, even though that might be scary. We shouldn’t shy away from that out of fear of the reactions we cannot (and should not try to) control.
I am often known to be a person that does certain things to avoid conflict even if it is something that I think to be important. But it is okay to say what we have to say and do what we have to do. In fact, sometimes it is important for you and me to confront things or act boldly, because it may be beneficial for all parties involved. It may help others grow if we speak up, and it may help us grow to hear their response.
All-in-all, for me, I can say I should not act in ways to attempt to control other people’s responses to me, because those aren’t my responsibility. If people get angry, I can be brave. If people get excited, I can celebrate with them. My load is to pick up my “backpack” and control my responses, emotions, responsibilities, and my actions.
(I am not finished the book, but if you couldn’t already tell, I recommend Boundaries!)
Have you ever thought of the difference between a “load” and a “burden” in Galatians 6:2 and 6:5?
How do you do with differentiating between the two in your life?