What does Galatians chapter 6 verse 5 mean?

Answer 1

Paul is talking about human weaknesses, especially vanity. In the preceding verse, Galatians 5:26, "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Verse 6:1 tells us that if a man be overtaken by vain thoughts, we should guide him back to the spirit of meekness and not be tempted by his example to become vain ourselves. He goes on to say (6:3-4) a vain man deceives himself; but also that man can be proud of good work that he has done, without comparing himself to others: "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."

Answer 2

Galatians 6:5 says: "for each one should carry their own load."

Every person has a 'load' to carry; that is, certain responsibilities that they are expected to fulfill themselves(2 Corinthians 5:10). Though friends can help us with our 'burdens'(gk:"Ba're")(Galatians 6:2/Romans 15:1/1 Thessalonians 5:14), which are things that are BEYOND the normal expectations, our LOAD(gk:"phortion") is 'something to be borne', something God expects from us alone, and is OUR responsibility.

Adam Clarke in his Commentary says:-

Gal 6:5 -

Every man shall bear his own burden - All must answer for themselves, not for their neighbors. And every man must expect to be dealt with by the Divine Judge, as his character and conduct have been. The greater offenses of another will not excuse thy smaller crimes. Every man must give account of himself to God.