Ver. 1. +Overtaken in a fault.+--Be caught red-handed in any transgression, the result of some sudden and overpowering gust of evil impulse. +Restore such an one.+--The same word used of a dislocated limb reduced to its place. Such is the tenderness with which we should treat a fallen member in restoring him to a better state. +In the spirit of meekness.+--Meekness is that temper of spirit towards God whereby we accept His dealings without disputing; then towards men whereby we endure meekly their provocations, and do not withdraw ourselves from the burdens which their sins impose upon us (_Trench_). Ver. 2. +Bear ye one another's burdens.+--The word is "weights," something exceeding the strength of those under them. "One another's" is strongly emphatic. It is a powerful stroke, as with an axe in the hand of a giant, at censoriousness or vainglorious egotism. We are not to think of _self,_ but of one another. To bear the burden of an erring brother is truly Christ-like. +And so fulfil the law of Christ.+--If you must needs observe a law, let it be the law of Christ. Ver. 3. +He deceiveth himself.+--He is misled by the vapours of his own vanity, he is self-deceived. Ver. 4. +Rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.+--In that his own work stands the test after severe examination, and not that he is superior to another. Ver. 6. +Communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.+--Go shares with him in the good things of this life. While each bears his own burden he must think of others, especially in ministering out of his earthly goods to the wants of his spiritual teacher (see 2 Cor. xi. 7, 11; Phil. iv. 10; 1 Thess. ii. 6, 9; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18). Ver. 7. +God is not mocked.+--The verb means to sneer with the nostrils drawn up in contempt. Excuses for illiberality may seem valid before men but are not so before God. Ver. 8. +He that soweth to his flesh.+--Unto his own flesh, which is devoted to selfishness. +Shall reap corruption.+--Destruction, which is not an arbitrary punishment of fleshly-mindedness, but is its natural fruit; the corrupt flesh producing corruption, which is another word for destruction. Corruption is the fault, and corruption the punishment. Ver. 9. +Let us not be weary: we shall reap, if we faint not.+--"Weary" refers to the will; "faint" to relaxation of the powers. No one should faint, as in an earthly harvest sometimes happens. Ver. 11. +Ye see how large a letter I have written with mine own hand.+--At this point the apostle takes the pen from his amanuensis, and writes the concluding paragraph with his own hand. Owing to the weakness of his eyesight he wrote in large letters. He thus gives emphasis to the importance of the subjects discussed in the epistle. Ver. 12. +Lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.+--They would escape the bitterness of the Jews against Christianity and the offence of the cross, by making the Mosaic law a necessary preliminary.