Galatians 6:3

3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Galatians 6:3 in Other Translations

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

3 If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.

Galatians 6:3 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something
Of himself; to have anything of himself, to do anything of himself, and of himself to attain to life and salvation:

when he is nothing:
of himself; not even as a creature, but owes his being and preservation, and all the mercies of life, to another, even to God; has no grace nor gifts of himself, but what he has received, and can do no good thing, not think a good thought, or perform a good action, of himself, and much less of himself procure eternal life and salvation:

he deceiveth himself:
and will find himself sadly mistaken, and wretchedly disappointed another day; or whoever thinks himself to be some famous and excellent person, to be something more, and better than others, of a more excellent nature, and of greater abilities, that he is free from sin, or at least holier than others, and not liable to fall as others, whom he looks upon with disdain and contempt, wanting that charity which the law, and new commandment of Christ, requires, when he is nothing but sin and vanity, he is destitute of the grace of God, he deceives himself and the truth is not in him. This the apostle says to depress pride, and a swelling conceit of themselves, and all uncharitable, rough, and severe usages of others. A saying like this the Jews have ^F25;

``whoever he is that is something, or thinks in himself that he is (Mwlk) , "something", it would be better for him if he had never been created.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Midrash Kohelet, fol. 79. 1.

Galatians 6:3 In-Context

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,

5 for each one should carry their own load.

Cross References

• 1. Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 8:2
• 2. 1 Corinthians 3:18