“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 HCSB).
In the words of one commentator, “…freedom from the Mosaic Law does not mean freedom from all responsibility.” (1) Part of that responsibility involves “bearing one another’s burdens” as we read in the verse quoted above.
From a practical standpoint, we can bear one another’s burdens in several different ways. For instance, we might share our financial or material resources with those in need. We might help others by offering short-term assistance with the responsibilities of daily life when they are overtaken by adversity. There may be other instances where we can assist by providing an opportunity for others to express their emotional pain.
Nevertheless, a wise person will exercise discretion in seeking to apply this principle. For example, we can turn to the Biblical experience of a man named Job for a cautionary message in this regard. You see, Job was a God-honoring man who endured a succession of catastrophic life events for no discernible reason. When three of Job’s friends learned of his misfortune, they sought to comfort him in his grief. Unfortunately, their responses only added to the burden of his suffering.
Their example reminds us that its easy to say the wrong thing in seeking to bear one another’s burdens. It also emphasizes the need to seek God’s wisdom for an appropriate response in such instances.
We should also guard against the impulse to “fix” another person’s problem in helping to carry his or her burden. A perceptive person will prayerfully consider the right time to address the behavior of those who create their own burdens as a result of their foolishness, negligence, or misconduct.
We might also remember that a burden does not necessarily comprise the things we are capable of doing ourselves. Notice the mutual obligation in this passage: “Share each other’s burdens…” (NLT emphasis added). We’ll examine this concept in greater detail when we reach Galatians 6:5 but for now, we can say that “bearing one another’s burdens” does not necessarily mean we are obligated to allow others to encumber us with every problem they encounter.
Remember that a “burden” refers to a difficulty, trial, or adversity that is beyond one’s capacity to bear. When the challenges of life become too great to endure, we can help others by carrying their burdens in a practical manner and directing them to the Biblical principle found in 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.”
(1) Constable, Thomas. DD. Notes on Galatians 2017 Edition (6:2) Copyright © 2017 Thomas L. Constable. https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/galatians/galatians.htm