Whether we are reading words or playing music, the gaps between those words and notes are important. They transform a string of otherwise meaningless letters or notes into a meaningful message, or tune. In the written word the author arranges letters into recognised words of his chosen language and defines the gaps through the use of punctuation: commas, colons, parentheses and the like. His original thoughts and ideas are thus accurately preserved. Moving the punctuation around can, without changing a single letter, completely alter or invalidate the arguments presented. The classic Bible case is found at Luke 23:43 – ‘I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise’ or ‘I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’. Is the ‘telling’ today or is the ‘being in paradise’ today? Two utterly different theologies!
The adding of chapters and verses can have a similar effect by placing arbitrary breaks where none previously existed. We are, of course, very grateful to the scholars who added them. Can you imagine finding and referencing texts without them? The 1,189 chapters were added in 1205 by contemporary cardinals Hugo de Sancto Caro and Stephen Langton. Robert Stephanus added the thirty-one thousand or so verses for editions 1551 (Greek) and 1571 (Hebrew). This helps us to quickly locate passages in the Bible. The danger is that we home in on favourite verses in isolation or take passages out of context. Most of the breaks seem logical but occasionally we find them breaking into an important line of reasoning or even in mid sentence – John 1:3 ‘…What has come into existence 4 by means of him…’ – very odd. I suppose there is a reason. As for the epistles, they would have been read as a whole letter. The arguments would be uninterrupted and so the verses, whilst helpful, are actually a hindrance to getting an accurate comprehension of the text.
An example occurred to me whilst meditating upon Galatians 6:1. This text is often cited as an instruction to those with ‘spiritual qualifications’ to readjust our brothers who might be going astray – before even they themselves are aware of their false step. That is really difficult. It is wonderful advice given in the spirit of Proverbs 27:23 where we are urged to know well the appearance of the flock and to take good care of our sheep. If we note that someone is overly attached to his or her career, material effects, an inappropriate romantic interest, or any other dubious course it would be kind and loving to take that person aside and offer some pastoral advice. Perhaps it is a drifting that the person has not become aware. He has not yet noticed the dangers. The readjustment would be handled mildly and gently but could still prove to be painful – as in the resetting of a broken bone. Had the Corinthians been overly harsh in handling their case of delinquency, one wonders?
Although this is very good admonition the letter to the Galatians is not pastoral. I would describe it as a rant and a desperate plea to reason! The very foundation of the Galatians’ faith is coming under attack from those Judaisers who espouse works of the law and circumcision. Paul wishes that these ones would go and get castrated: powerful language indeed! He concludes his letter by telling them to stop making trouble for him. He sounds really cross: no friendly greetings here! The congregations of Galatia are facing an existential threat. This is serious stuff. So what does Paul mean when he writes what we know as 6:1? If we remove the chapter break and continue his line of reason from the end of chapter 5 we arrive at a different conclusion. Here is the section without verse divisions:
If we are living by spirit, let us also go on walking orderly by spirit. Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another. Brothers, even if a man takes a false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness.
Having just listed the works of the flesh and contrasted them with the fruitage of holy spirit, Paul is urging peace and unity within the congregation. Here he is using a crescendo leading to a climax. Egotism, competition and envy are destructive, internecine. There is no room for vainglory and an exaggerated sense of self. A spirit of competition means the beating of our brothers. Envy, jealousy, is rottenness to the bones (Proverbs 14:30). In this state, should they see a brother going astray a spirit of schadenfreude might set in as they rejoice in his demise and so, in some fatalistic manner, highlighting their own superiority. What a state of affairs and how wrong this is! To the contrary, they must sympathise with one another, not nurturing any delusions of their own superiority. Even if (here is the climax), even if a man is caught red-handed in the act [lit. is caught, surprised (prolemphthe), in a trespass, false step, lapse (paraptomati)], the spiritually qualified man will deal gently with the offender in order to restore him to God’s favour and to unity in the congregation. And at the same time keeping an eye on his own works, as each and every one is equally liable to fall. There is no place for competition within the congregation. If you think you have won the race, but at the expense of your brother, who has wilted, fallen over, crashed and burned then of what benefit is that to you or him? We need to cross the finish line together. We need each other. We carry each other’s burdens. A problem shared is a problem halved!
So what does it mean, then, in verse 5 where Paul says ‘every man shall bear his own burden’ (KJV)? Is this a contradiction? If we stick to the KJV it would certainly seem so. Bear one another’s burdens, bear your own burden. In actuality, the Greek words are different and thus we need a better translation. In v5 the Greek word is phortion and refers to the freight of a ship. Is a ship carrying a cargo burdened? Well no! It is fulfilling the role for which it was designed and built. In modern times, as well as ships, we see lorries and trains transporting large loads, from a few tonnes up to many hundreds or even thousands of tonnes. They are not burdened. On the other hand the Greek word used in v2 is bare which has the basic meaning of weight. Here in Perthshire a mineral is mined specifically for its density and weight. It is used in the oil industry as a weighting agent to prevent blowouts when drilling. It is called baryte – barium sulphate. It is fascinating where these names originate. If we are bearing an extraneous, heavy load which is more than we can comfortably manage, then that is a burden. What sort of burdens might they be? They can be many and varied, of either a spiritual or secular nature. It might be the consequences of our own sin – a disturbed conscience, and bearing the effects of discipline; perhaps a broken heart from betrayal or bereavement; financial difficulties due to unwise business decisions or events beyond our control. The variety and quantity of available burdens in this world is mind-numbingly manifold! These are what we all need help in bearing. What we cannot share, and mustn’t endeavour to off-load are our responsibilities, obligations and duties. This is the load that we personally carry unaided.
Those who are spiritually qualified: who might these be? The general answer is the elders. These are the ones who are, organisationally, appointed to oversee the congregation. However they do not hold a monopoly on spirituality which comes from the love of God, His word and devotion to its teachings. We all have the same textbook. There are many others who are equally qualified but not entitled – some decline and others cannot be elders because they are sisters, many of whom are spiritual Titans. I know some so-called elders whose spiritual qualifications are quite elusive. Whoever we are, it is incumbent on each and every one in the congregation to keep an eye out for one another.
What have I achieved in this peregrination? I’m not sure really. I have seen a well-known verse in a different light, as part of an argument rather than as a stand-alone instruction. I have shared that with you and I hope you have enjoyed my thoughts. And maybe encouraged you to not be overly devoted to chapters and verses in favour of following arguments and lines of reasoning.