This post was intended to go out right after “Ask Me”. I lost my focus and this post is out of sequence.

Why are there two different Greek words translated as burden in Galatians 6?

Galatians 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ

 βάρος báros, bar’-os; probably from the same as G939 (through the notion of going down; compare G899); weight; in the New Testament only, figuratively, a load, abundance, authority:—burden(-some), weight. Looking at STRONGS G939:

βάσις, -εως, ἡ, (ΒΑΩ, βαίνω);

1. a stepping, walking

Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

  φορτίον phortíon, for-tee’-on; diminutive of G5414; an invoice (as part of freight), i.e. (figuratively) a task or service:—burden.

The use of the Greek words imply that Christ came down with authority to carry our burden in verse 2. He lightens our loud, see Matthew 11:30

In verse 5 there is an implication that we have been assigned tasks, the invoice implies freight assigned to our vessel. Every service gift comes with responsibilities.

I saw these conclusions. Checking back with my friend and fellow brother in the Lord, who did not see exactly what I saw. Perhaps this is one reason other translations of Galatians 6:5 use the word load rather than burden.

Once again we find ourselves trying to align ourselves with the Word of God about correct interpretation of scriptures. Neither of us is right nor are we wrong. This is a matter of being touched by God through our contact with the Holy Spirit that does not make mistakes.

We are not Galatians in the first century church. We did not live in those times and have their personal experiences. Wordsmithing the Greek into meaningful language for today’s reader is difficult. Only God can reveal to us His thoughts and concerns. Each of us has our own experiences. It is more important for God to align our thinking to His will and not something of our own choosing.

When in study groups we should never blurt out “you are wrong”. The only time words like that might be applied is when dangerous doctrine is introduced. End of Post

I found myself swept up in the issue of false doctrine which seemed more important. But I got there from here. Forgive my impatience.

James 3:1-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].

Every now and then I like to read the amplified version of the bible. This is one of those cases. Those of us with children are all teachers whether we are qualified or not. Over the years I have discovered, in some cases, that the most unruly children are children of pastors. That is not a condemnation of pastors. It is a cautionary tale that not all pastors make good teachers.

My father suffered PTSD and my mother suffered Asperger’s Syndrome. They were good parents but had no skills whatsoever concerning teaching.

My father’s skill set was hunting, fishing, maintenance and work ethic. My mother’s skill set was cooking and cleaning. I grew up observing those correct behaviors.

What was missing? Well it turns out I didn’t know what I was missing that would have made my life better until much later in life.

During my PTSD training I discovered my parents could not give me what they did not possess themselves.

Herein is the lesson of the necessity of accountability in teachers. They cannot teach what they do not possess. This is why the church should examine the qualifications of those who would be placed in a position of teaching bible doctrine. It is too important to let the unqualified teach our members, children or adults.

They must have the right stuff in them in order to give it to others.

Now I am thinking about the movie The Right Stuff. Those astronauts went through the most rigorous testing before they were trained to be astronauts. And that was just to go to the moon. Eternal salvation was not at stake.