Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia to encourage them, give them direction on what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and to counter the teaching of a few Jewish Christians who taught that the Galatians had to be circumcised AND follow ALL the Jewish laws.
Paul believed the law to follow, now that Christ had come, was only the "law of Christ."
What is striking to me are verses 1 to 5. Paul says the way to reestablish a sinner is to use the "spirit of gentleness," and not to condemn nor shame them. Boy, unlike today with "cancel culture." Paul adds that if you are following "the Jewish rules," remember that "you're unique, like everyone else," so no bragging rights. Besides, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7.
The values Paul expounds is contrary to today.
1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each one will carry his own load.
6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
Galatians 6:1-10 (NET 2nd Ed.)
LOVE SUMS UP THE LAW. AUGUSTINE: The “law of Christ” means the law of love. The one who loves his neighbor fulfills the law. The love of neighbor is strongly commended even in the Old Testament. The apostle elsewhere says that it is by love that all the commands of the law are summed up. If so, then it is evident that even that Scripture which was given to the covenant people was the law of Christ, which, since it was not being fulfilled by fear, he came to fulfill by love. The same Scripture, therefore, and the same law is called the old covenant when it weighs down in slavery those who are grasping after earthly goods. It is called the new testament when it raises to freedom those who are ardently seeking the eternal good. EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 58 [1B.6.2].
Galatians 6:2 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture)
