Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Truth to Learn
Offer help and gracious support to a stumbling brother or sister instead of harsh condemnation.
Behind the Words
The word translated “overtaken” is from prolambanō, comprised of pro, meaning “before” or “in front of” and lambanō, meaning “to take.” Literally, this word means “to take what is ahead of you.” It is a picture of two people running a race in which the one who is behind suddenly catches up with the one who is ahead. When used in the passive voice, as it is in this verse, it means that the person has unexpectedly been overtaken by someone or something else.
“Trespass” is the noun form of the verb parapiptō, made up of para, meaning “to the side of” and piptō, meaning “to fall.” This verb means “to fall away” or “to fall aside.” Hence, the noun parapiptō is often used to mean something which causes someone to stray from the path or to stumble.
The word translated “restore” is katartidzō, which fundamentally means “to put a thing in its appropriate condition; that is, to establish, to thoroughly equip, or to restore.” In the current verse this word appears in the imperative mood indicating a command.
“Gentleness” is translated from praotētos, a form of praos, meaning “meek.” Hence, it means “meekness or mildness.” That is not as much an outward expression of feeling as it is an inward grace and humility.
Meaning Explained
One of the tendencies that spring out of legalism, like that which had developed in the Galatian churches, is a judgmental and condemning attitude toward those who don’t follow all the rules. In the previous verse Paul cautions us not to become conceited and not to provoke. He now adds another thing to that list, though quite indirectly: instead of judging and condemning others, assist and restore them.
Even the most dedicated Christian among us will occasionally be surprised and overtaken by his or her sin nature or by the wiles of our adversary. This is not referring to habitual sinfulness, but to those things which occasionally trip us up. When we see this in ourselves, we are quick to dismiss it, knowing that it is not the way we normally behave. But in others we tend to quickly judge. This is especially true in an environment where there are a lot of rules and regulations.
Instead of attacking the one who has fallen, however, we should behave in a spiritual way and seek to restore their position of blessedness in God. Gently, we need to assist our brother or sister while keeping their ultimate good in mind. And, when attending to their transgression, we need to guard against the temptation of puffing ourselves up in the process.
Application
We have all experienced the stinging rebuke of a well-meaning Christian brother or sister when we have stumbled in our own walk with God. Let us all strive to be gracious to others in a similar situation. We have been shown an abundant amount of grace by our Heavenly Father, so there is plenty left over for us to share with others.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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