Gal 6:2 and 6:5 - bearing burdens
Clwinbery at aol.com
Clwinbery at aol.com
Tue Jul 23 21:57:42 EDT 2002
In a message dated 7/23/02 3:32:30 PM, iver_larsen at sil.org writes:
>> 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.
I agree with what Iver says here but would add a reference. Barclay comments
on FORTION in Matt. 11:30 as a blurb for the carpentry shop. hO GAR ZUGOS
MOU CRHSTOS KAI TO FORTION MOU ELAFRON ESTIN. Barclay translates the last
clause as "my yoke is well-fitted." He seems to treat FORTION as relating to
the moral responsibility that each must bear.
Carlton Winbery
Louisiana College
P.S. Good journey.
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