Charles Spurgeon Commentary Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted." — Galatians 6:1 (ASV)

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,–

He is a slow traveler; he is not speeding swiftly on the way to heaven, so the fault overtakes him. Had he been quicker of pace, he might have outstripped it; but he is overtaken in a fault. What then? Turn him out of the church? Have done with him? No. If a man be overtaken in a fault,–

You who are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;

Pick him up, help him to run better than he did before.

Considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

Paul does not say, "Lest you also fall;" but rather, "Lest you also be tempted." This means, "You will be sure to fall if you are tempted;" and that man, who thinks that other people ought to be cast off because they have committed a fault, is so proud in his own heart that he only needs to be tempted, and he would fall, too. This is a very expressive way of putting the matter: Considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, – (Galatians 6:1)

If he travels so slowly that his faults catch him up, and knock him down: If a man be overtaken in a fault, –

Ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness;

Set his bones for him if they have been broken; put him in his proper place again.

Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

What would you wish others to do to you if you were in the position of this fallen one? The apostle does not say, "Considering yourself lest you also be overtaken in a fault." No, but, lest thou also be tempted, — meaning, "It only needs the temptation to come to you, and you will yield to it."

Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

When Christians fall into a fault, it is because they are traveling slowly on the road to heaven. This is why the Scripture says, If he be overtaken in a fault. He would not have been overtaken if he had been traveling faster. If his heart had been quick in the ways of the Lord, he would have outstripped the temptation.

Now, when a brother falls into sin, it is too often the habit to push him down—to cast him out and forget him. But spiritually-minded persons must not do so. We must seek the restoration of the brother.

Is there not more joy over the sheep that was lost than over those that went not astray? Have we not the best reason to deal tenderly with wanderers, since we cannot tell that we may not need the same kind assistance for ourselves? This is why the Scripture adds, Considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

He seems to take it for granted that we probably would also be tempted, if we were tempted as the other brother was.