Carry One Another’s Burden vs Carry Your Own Burden by Cynthia Greene
There are two verses in Galatians that appear, at first glance, to contradict one another:
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
One verse calls us to carry each other’s burdens, while the other tells us that each person must carry their own burden. We must look at the original Greek words used by Paul to understand the difference. What will find is that he is describing two different kinds of burdens.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
In Galatians 6:2 the Greek word translated “burdens” is bastazo. This word refers to a heavy, oppressive weight, pressure, a crushing load, or intense pressure. These are burdens that are so overwhelming they cannot be carried alone.
Examples of these burdens include: deep grief or loss, major life changes, severe temptation, financial hardship, persecution, or emotional, spiritual, or mental distress.
These kinds of burdens are unbearable without help.
To “bear one another’s burdens” means to step in and support someone facing a heavy trial.
Christ commands us in John 13:34: “Love one another as I have loved you.” When we bear one another’s burdens and help carry a heavy load, we are fullfilling this command and expressing love.
Supporting Scriptures:
- Romans 15:1 — We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 —Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
- Hebrews 12:12 —Strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees
- Luke 10–The Good Samaritan
- Exodus 17–Aaron and Hur supporting Moses’ hands during battle
- Acts 4:23-35—The early church sharing resources.
How do we Bear One Another’s Burdens?
- Praying with and for someone.
- Offer financially or physical assistance.
- Provide emotional support and presence.
- Sit with them so they are not alone.
- Encourage them with God’s Word.
- Step in and help carry the load in tangible ways.
Bear Your Own Burden
In Galatians 6:5 the word for “burden”is the Greek Word phortion. This word means a personal load–something manageable that is one’s own responsibility to carry. Think of the analogy of carrying your own backpack.
These include: daily responsibilities, personal choices, spiritual growth, emotional self-control, obedience to God and taking responsibility for one’s own actions.
Galatians 6:5 teaches personal accountability. These are responsibilities that belong to us alone. We are expected to carry what God has given us–especially in regard to our own salvation.
Supporting Scriptures:
- Romans 4:12 — So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 — Instructions regarding working and avoiding idleness.
- Philippians 2:12 — … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
How Do We Bear Our Own Burdens?
- Praying for wisdom, guidance and direction from God.
- Seeking obey God’s Word.
- Guard our words and actions (Proverbs 18:21 and Philippians 4:6-7)
- Taking accountability for our own decisions.
- Confessing sin and seeking forgiveness.
- Learning from correction.
- Faithfully carrying our responsibilities.
- Working out our own salvation. (Philippians 2:12)
A Warning: Do Not Carry Burdens God Has Assigned to Others
While Galatians 6:2 calls us to compassion, it does not tell us to become enablers.
An enabler is someone who allows another person to continue in unhealthy or self-destructive behavior, often shielding them from consequences by doing for them what they should be doing for themselves. It might seem like love, but it is actually preventing their personal growth.
Sometimes people attempt to shift their phortion—their personal responsibilities—onto others.
When we carry what God has asked them to carry, we:
- Interfere with their maturity and spiritual growth.
- Encourage irresponsibility or avoidance.
- Create unhealthy dependence.
- Exhaust ourselves with burdens that God never intended us to bear.
Conclusion
Galatians 6:2 teaches us to respond with love when someone is overwhelmed by a bastazo burden. Start with prayer, asking for God’s direction, wisdom, and the courage of what we should do. It is “loving one another” to come alongside others in these times.
Galatians 6:5 reminds us that each person is accountable before God for their own responsibilities and spiritual growth. We each are responsible for what God has given us in life to take care of including working out our own salvation.
Healthy boundaries help us discern the difference between compassion and enabling. Love sometimes means stepping back and allowing others to carry their own burdens.
Together, these verses teach a balanced, Christ-centered way of living: help others with their heavy burdens and faithfully carrying your own burdens.
