Galatians 6:4

But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.

BSB

Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.

KJV

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

ASV

But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor.

BBE

But let every man make test of his work, and then will his cause for glory be in himself only, and not in his neighbour.

Original Greek

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τὸ to (the) G3588 δὲ de But G1161 ἔργον ergon the work G2041 ἑαυτοῦ he'autou his own G1438 δοκιμαζέτω dokimazetō should test G1381 ἕκαστος hekastos each G1538 καὶ kai and G2532 τότε tote then G5119 εἰς eis as to G1519 ἑαυτὸν he'auton himself G1438 μόνον monon alone G3441 τὸ to the G3588 καύχημα kauchēma ground of boasting G2745 ἕξει hexei he will have G2192 καὶ kai and G2532 οὐκ ouk not G3756 εἰς eis as to G1519 τὸν ton (the) G3588 ἕτερον heteron another G2087

The early church

"But let each man prove his own work." Here he shows that we ought to be scrutinizers of our lives, and this not lightly, but carefully to weigh our actions; as for example, if thou hast performed a good deed, consider whether it was not from vain glory, or through necessity, or malevolence, or with hypocrisy, or from some other human motive. For as gold appears to be bright before it is placed in the furnace, but when committed to the fire, is closely proved, and all that is spurious is separated from what is genuine, so too our works, if closely examined, will be distinctly made manifest, and we shall perceive that we have exposed ourselves to much censure. "And then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone and not of his neighbor." This he says, not as laying down a rule, but in the way of concession; and his meaning is this: Boasting is senseless, but if thou wilt boast, boast not against thy neighbor, as the Pharisee did. For he that is so instructed will speedily give up boasting altogether; and therefore he concedes a part that he may gradually extirpate the whole. He that is wont to boast with reference to himself only, and not against others, will soon reform this failing also. For he that does not consider himself better than others, for this is the meaning of "not in regard of his neighbor," but becomes elated by examining himself by himself, will afterwards cease to be so. And that you may be sure this is what he desires to establish, observe how he checks him by fear, saying above, "let every man prove his own work," ...
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Galatians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–5

We are to bear one another's burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This obliges to mutual forbearance and compassion towards each other, agreeably to his example. It becomes us to bear one another's burdens, as fellow-travellers. It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions. How light soever men's sins seem to them when committed, yet they will be found a heavy burden, when they come to reckon with God about them. No man can pay a ransom for his brother; and sin is a burden to the soul. It is a spiritual burden; and the less a man feels it to be such, the more cause has he to suspect himself. Most men are dead in their sins, and therefore have no sight or sense of the spiritual burden of sin. Feeling the weight and burden of our sins, we must seek to be eased thereof by the Saviour, and be warned against every sin.

Read Matthew Henry on Galatians 6 →

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.