That is, by the force of the temptation. The line of thought in ch. 5 continues without interruption. Paul here refers to the fact that a Christian may, in a moment of weakness, or spiritual sloth, be taken off his guard (see on ch. 5:24). He is not an obstinate hypocrite. His purpose was to “walk in the Spirit” (v. 25), but he was tripped up by temptation. He had intended that the “fruit of the Spirit” (vs. 22, 23) should be evident in his life, but found to his distress some of the old “works of the flesh” (vs. 19-21). He had received the Spirit (ch. 3:2), “begun in the Spirit” (v. 3), and set out under the guidance of the Spirit (ch. 5:18) to bear the “fruit of the Spirit” (vs. 22, 23). His

 intentions had been good, but like Paul (see Rom. 7:19-24), he had discovered to his dismay that the flesh is weak.

 That is, those who are being “led of the Spirit” (ch. 5:18). Apparently there was a representative group in the Galatian churches who had not given up Paul’s gospel for the teachings of the Judaizers. Paul would hardly have called those who were apostatizing, “spiritual,” for such persons were renouncing the guidance of the Spirit (ch. 3:3).

 Gr. katartizō, “to mend,” “to render fit,” “to restore,” “to put in shape.” Greek medical writers used the term of setting a bone or a dislocated joint. Those who remained “spiritual” were not to take a conceited attitude toward the brother who had fallen before the onslaughts of temptation. They were not to discourage him or, by criticism and censure, to provoke him to further indulgence in the “works of the flesh” (see on ch. 5:19, 26). He stood in dire need of a sympathetic hand to help him out of the pit of sin into which he had fallen. In his disappointment and disillusionment he needed someone to approach him with patience, kindness, and gentleness (vs. 22, 23), someone who realized that he might himself someday be overcome by temptation and be in need of similar help.

 In dealing with those who have gone astray we should, more than under any other circumstances, practice the golden rule (see on Matt. 7:12). This is the duty and privilege of those who are themselves controlled by the Spirit and who are walking in ways of righteousness. Others are not qualified for so delicate a task. God calls upon those who are “spiritual” to guide wandering sheep back into the green pastures of truth and righteousness. Paul dealt resolutely and fearlessly with those who persisted in open sin (see 1 Cor. 3:3-5) but tenderly and patiently with those who gave evidence of a desire to be restored (2 Cor. 2:5-11). Church discipline calls for a skillful blend of firmness and kindness. Paul never relaxed the high standards of the gospel, but his object was ever the salvation of men and women and their restoration to Christ when they went astray. See on Matt. 6:14, 15; 7:1-5; 18:10-35.

 See on Matt. 5:5; Gal. 5:23. Jesus was an example of meekness (see Matt. 11:29), and those who follow His example will be kind and forbearing in dealing with their brethren. They will not be critical and faultfinding, nor will they make haste to bring down upon one who errs the discipline of the church. Their zeal for justice will be seasoned with mercy. Their primary objective will be the restoration of the offender. Their proposals and decisions will be remedial, not punitive. The maintenance of church authority will be a secondary consideration.

We cannot restore others unless we are right ourselves; we cannot know whether we are right ourselves unless we constantly check our lives by the divine standard and partake daily of the life of Jesus. As we seek to remedy the defects of others we are to keep an eye on ourselves. Those who would rescue others from the swift current of sin must have their own feet planted on firm ground. A concern for our own spiritual standing before God is prerequisite to a concern for that of one who needs our help. We should also realize that we ourselves are prone to fall, and that realization will keep us from displaying a holier-than-thou attitude as we seek to help a brother who has fallen.