 |  |
anyone thinketh himself to be something", for we have met similar wording before and in
connection with this same contention for the truth of the gospel:
"But of these who seemed to be somewhat" (Gal. 2: 6).
Apo de ton dokounton einai ti, where the reference is to Peter, James and John `who
seemed to be pillars'. If, said Paul, such reputable and evident persons of high position in
the church, are of no account the moment they antagonize the truth, the troubler in your
midst, who has intimidated you by his own estimate of himself, can surely be seen in his
true colors. No `respect of persons' can ever be permitted in the fight of faith.
"When he is nothing." The Greek language has two words with which to express the
idea of `nothing'. Oudeis the objective, and medeis the conditional negative. Here the
Apostle uses medeis. It is beside the point to say that "He is nothing, to wit, in himself,
but by the grace of God he is what he is" (Whitby), for that is a gracious truth and a
blessed acknowledgment, rather does Paul express the opinion that one must entertain of
all similar boasters, "He deceiveth himself" but not his neighbour. This self deception
meets us again in the warning of verse 7 `be not deceived', and helps us to see the
continuation of the argument. Instead of forming such vain estimations of one's
importance, the Apostle suggests that a more salutary procedure would be to keep in
mind the judgment seat of Christ.
"But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself
alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden" (Gal. 6: 4, 5).
We have already observed that the word `think' in verse 3 is dokeo, and it is important
that we should remember this for the thought appears again in verse 4 "Let every man
prove his own work", where `prove' is dokimazeto. The word means to `try' as one does
a metal (see I Pet. 1: 7). It is used in II Tim. 2: 15 for the idea of being `approved'. The
insistence of `proving his own work', and having rejoicing `in himself alone' refers to
that fallacious standard which often set up `comparing ourselves with ourselves' which is
`not wise' (II Cor. 10: 12). Paul pauses a similar line of argument to that of Gal. 6: 3-5
in I Cor. 4::
"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is
the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to
light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
and then shall every man have praise of God.
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for
your sakes: that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that
no one of you be puffed up for one against another" (I Cor. 4: 1-6).
"Every man's work shall be made manifest . . . . . the fire shall try every man's work
of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3: 13).