Gal 6:2 and 6:5 - bearing burdens
Iver Larsen
iver_larsen at sil.org
Tue Jul 23 16:32:20 EDT 2002
> My question is, are these 2 different, even contrasting things to
> be borne
> (BASTAZWed)? My brother's faults, which are heavy and odious, and my own
> characteristics, which, while sometimes heavy, are more neutral? Or are
> the two words BAROS and FORTION being used more synonymously?
The way I see the two words, they are meant as different and complementary.
For the first one, ALLHLWN TA BARH, I envisage Jesus carrying his cross
which was too heavy. So, someone else carried it for him. This person was
forced to do so, but if we help a brother (or sister) who has a burden which
is too heavy, we fulfil the law of Christ as the last part of 6:2 says (the
law of love).
On the other hand, v. 5 is focused on your own reasonable responsibilities -
TO IDION FORTION. There is emphasis on your OWN load. It is yours and should
not be placed on others. Some people may be so proud that they refuse to
carry their own load/responsibility and request others to do what they
themselves should be doing. So, carry your own load as much as you can, but
if it becomes too heavy, your fellow Christians are encouraged to help you
out.
Iver Larsen
PS. I may be rather quiet on the list for a month or so. We are packing up
and moving back to Kenya from a temporary stay in Denmark. But I want to
stay on the list, since I am learning a lot from the discussions.
More information about the B-Greek
mailing list