“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Since the false teachers of Galatia seemed enamored with the Law, Paul the Apostle obliged them with a law to follow: “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (HCSB).
When used in this context, a “burden” represents something that goes beyond the ordinary challenges of life. It expresses a difficulty, trial, or problem that produces a hardship that is too great for one to bear alone. For instance, a natural disaster, a serious health issue, the death of a loved one, a job loss, or other catastrophic life event may all serve as examples of a burden when used in this sense.
One source illustrates this idea with an analogy that should be familiar to anyone who has ever had to transport a weighty piece of luggage…
“This is an allusion to the custom of travelers, who when too heavily laden with their baggage, relieve one another, by bearing the burden of the weak or fatigued, and in that manner show their good disposition toward each other.” (1)
This directive is followed by a reference to “the law of Christ.” Since this law is not specifically defined within the Scriptures, the exact meaning of this term is subject to some debate. Therefore, we can turn to Jesus for insight into the law that bears His name. When Jesus was asked to state the greatest commandment in the law, He responded in the following manner…
“…’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
The Apostle John also touched upon the active nature of love in the New Testament epistle of 1 John…
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).
With these passages in mind, we can associate the law of Christ with the idea of love in action. We’ll consider some practical aspects of this concept next.
(1) Ice, Rhoderick D. “Commentary on Galatians 6:2”. “The Bible Study New Testament”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ice/galatians-6.html. College Press, Joplin, MO. 1974.