John Calvin Commentary Galatians 6:2

"Bear ye one another`s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 (ASV)

Bear ye one another’s burdens. The weaknesses or sins, under which we groan, are called burdens. This phrase is singularly appropriate in an exhortation to kind behavior, for nature dictates to us that those who bend under a burden ought to be relieved. He commands us to bear the burdens.

We must not indulge or overlook the sins by which our brothers are pressed down, but relieve them—which can only be done by mild and friendly correction. There are many adulterers and thieves, many wicked and abandoned characters of every description, who would willingly make Christ an accomplice in their crimes. All would choose to lay upon believers the task of bearing their burdens. But as the apostle had immediately before exhorted us to restore a brother, the manner in which Christians are required to bear one another’s burdens cannot be mistaken.

And so fulfill the law of Christ. The word law, when applied here to Christ, serves as an argument. There is an implied contrast between the law of Christ and the law of Moses. "If you are very eager to keep a law, Christ commands you a law which you are bound to prefer to all others, and that is, to cherish kindness towards each other. He who has not this has nothing.

On the other hand, he tells us that when every one compassionately assists his neighbor, the law of Christ is fulfilled; by which he implies that everything that does not proceed from love is unnecessary; for the composition of the Greek word ἀναπληρώσατε suggests what is absolutely perfect. But as no one performs in every respect what Paul requires, we are still at a distance from perfection. He who comes the closest to it with regard to others is still far distant with respect to God.

The good works which we perform by the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, are the fruits of that adoption which is an act of free grace.