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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Galatians 6:4

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

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Self-Examination;   Works;   Thompson Chain Reference - Examinations of Self;   Self-Examination;   The Topic Concordance - Deception;   Pride/arrogance;   Proof;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Self-Examination;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Discipline;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Galatians, Letter to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Nicolas;   Paul the Apostle;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Galatians Epistle to the;   Temptation, Trial;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for October 28;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Don't compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of.
Revised Standard Version
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Let every man prove his awne worke and then shall he have reioysinge in his awne silfe and not in another
Hebrew Names Version
But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.
New American Standard Bible
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another.
New Century Version
Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself with others. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done.
Update Bible Version
But let each man prove his own work, and then he shall have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor.
Webster's Bible Translation
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
English Standard Version
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
World English Bible
But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Weymouth's New Testament
But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will find out, not with reference to another but with reference to himself, what he has to boast of.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But ech man preue his owne werk, and so he schal haue glorie in him silf, and not in an othere.
English Revised Version
But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbour.
Contemporary English Version
Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others.
Amplified Bible
But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
So let each of you scrutinize his own actions. Then if you do find something to boast about, at least the boasting will be based on what you have actually done and not merely on a judgment that you are better than someone else;
Darby Translation
but let each prove his own work, and then he will have his boast in what belongs to himself alone, and not in what belongs to another.
International Standard Version
Each person must approve his own actions, and then he can boast about his own accomplishments and not those of his neighbor.Luke 18:11; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But let every man prove his work, and then in himself he shall exult, and not in others.
Murdock Translation
But let a man examine his own conduct; and then his glorying will be within himself, and not in others.
King James Version (1611)
But let euery man prooue his owne worke, and then shall he haue reioycing in him selfe alone, and not in an other.
New Living Translation
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
New Life Bible
Everyone should look at himself and see how he does his own work. Then he can be happy in what he has done. He should not compare himself with his neighbor.
New Revised Standard
All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But let euery man prooue his owne worke: and then shal he haue reioycing in himselfe onely and not in another.
George Lamsa Translation
But let every man examine his own work, and then may he glory within himself alone, and not among others.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, his own work, let each one be putting to the proof, and, then, for himself alone, the matter of boasting, shall he have, and not for some other,
Douay-Rheims Bible
But let every one prove his own work: and so he shall have glory in himself only and not in another.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But let euery man proue his owne worke, & then shall he haue reioyceyng only in his owne selfe, and not in another.
Good News Translation
You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done.
Christian Standard Bible®
Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else.
King James Version
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Lexham English Bible
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in someone else.
Literal Translation
But let each one prove his work, and then he alone will have a boast in himself and not as to another.
Young's Literal Translation
and his own work let each one prove, and then in regard to himself alone the glorying he shall have, and not in regard to the other,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Let euery man proue his owne worke, and the shal he haue reioysinge in his awne selfe, and not in another.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but let every one bring his own work to the test, and then he will have matter of glorying in himself alone, and not in another.
THE MESSAGE
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
New English Translation
Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else.
New King James Version
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Simplified Cowboy Version
You should take a good, long, hard look at your motives every single day. If everything is good, then you can be proud of yourself. A cowboy who looks to better himself every day doesn't feel the need to compare himself to others.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
Legacy Standard Bible
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

Contextual Overview

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.5For each one should carry his own load. 6But the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. 8The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

prove: Job 13:15, *marg. Psalms 26:2, 1 Corinthians 11:28, 2 Corinthians 13:5

rejoicing: Proverbs 14:14, 1 Corinthians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 1 John 3:19-22

and not: Galatians 6:13, Luke 18:11, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 11:12, 2 Corinthians 11:13

Reciprocal: Job 6:13 - Is not my Job 20:5 - the joy Ezekiel 18:30 - every Haggai 1:5 - thus Galatians 4:15 - the blessedness James 3:13 - is a

Cross-References

Genesis 6:15
And this is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.
Genesis 6:20
Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive.
Genesis 6:21
You are also to take for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and gather it as food for yourselves and for the animals."
Genesis 6:22
So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.
Genesis 11:4
"Come," they said, "let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth."
Numbers 13:33
We even saw the Nephilim there-the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!"
Numbers 16:2
a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly.
Deuteronomy 3:11
(For only Og king of Bashan had remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed of iron, nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)
1 Samuel 17:4
Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But let every man prove his own work,.... Not concern himself about the actions and works of others; let him review his own heart and actions; let him examine, try, and prove his whole conduct in life by the rule of God's word, when he will find enough at home, without bearing hard upon, and censuring others:

and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another; which is either ironically said, he will then see what reason he has to rejoice and glory in his own works, and vaunt over others, and to boast of his performances, and despise others; so far from it, that he will have reason to be ashamed of himself, and to own and acknowledge his unworthiness and unprofitableness: or if, upon such a review, examination, and probation of his works, it shall appear that he has had his conversation in the world, by the grace of God, in simplicity and godly sincerity, this testimony of his conscience will be his rejoicing; see 2 Corinthians 1:12. He may rejoice "in himself", in his own works, as the fruits of grace, but not as the effects of his own power and strength; and may glory and boast of them before men, in vindication of his cause and character, and as evidences of the truth of grace, but not before God, as if they were the matter of his justification and acceptance:

and not in another; that is fallen into sin; making use of his sins and faults to set off himself, and to increase his own praise and condemnation; rejoicing in this, that he is better than others, and is not, as the Pharisee said, as other men are, as wicked as they, or has not fallen into such sins as others have done. He will have occasion to take such a method as this, if his conversation will bear the test; he will have rejoicing in the testimony of his own conscience, and will have no need to compare himself with others; his glorying will be on account of his own actions, and not through a comparison of other men's. This no ways contradicts a man's glorying in God, and rejoicing in Christ Jesus alone, in the business of salvation. It only regards a man's glorying before men, in a modest and humble manner, of what he is enabled to do, by the grace of God, without fetching in the characters of other men that are wicked, or have fallen, to illustrate his own.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But let every man prove - That is, try or examine in a proper manner. Let him form a proper estimate of what is due to himself, according to his real character. Let him compare himself with the word of God, and the infallible rule which he has given, and by which we are to be judged in the last great day; compare the Romans 12:3 note; 1 Corinthians 11:28 note; 2 Corinthians 13:5 note.

His own work - What he does. Let him form a fair and impartial estimate of his own character.

And then shall he have rejoicing - That is, he will be appropriately rewarded, and will meet with no disappointment. The man who forms an improper estimate of his own character will be sure to be disappointed. The man who examines himself, and who forms no extravagant expectation in regard to what is due to himself, will be appropriately rewarded, and will be made happy. If, by the careful examination of himself, he finds his life to be virtuous, and his course of conduct pure; if he has done no wrong to others, and if he finds evidence that he is a child of God, then he will have cause of rejoicing.

In himself alone - Compare Proverbs 14:14; “A good man shall be satisfied from himself.” The sentiment is, that he will find in himself a source of pure joy. He will not be dependent on the applause of others for happiness. In an approving conscience; in the evidence of the favor of God; in an honest effort to lead a pure and holy life, he will have happiness. The source of his joys will be within; and he will not be dependent, as the man of ambition, and the man who thinks of himself more highly than he ought, will, on the favors of a capricious multitude, and on the breath of popular applause.

And not in another - He will not be dependent on others for happiness. Here is the true secret of happiness. It consists:

(1) In not forming an improper estimate of ourselves; in knowing just what we are, and what is due to us; in not thinking ourselves to be something, when we are nothing.

(2) In leading such a life that it may be examined to the core, that we may know exactly what we are without being distressed or pained. That is, in having a good conscience, and in the honest and faithful discharge of our duty to God and man.

(3) In not being dependent on the fickle applause of the world for our comfort. The man who has no internal resources, and who has no approving conscience; who is happy only when others smile, and miserable when they frown, is a man who can have no security for enjoyment. The man who has a good conscience, and who enjoys the favor of God, and the hope of heaven, carries with him the source of perpetual joy. He cannot be deprived of it. His purse may be taken, and his house robbed, but the highwayman cannot rob him of his comforts. He carries with him an unfailing source of happiness when abroad, and the same source of happiness abides with him at home; he bears it into society, and it remains with him in solitude; it is his companion when in health, and when surrounded by his friends, and it is no less his companion when his friends leave him, and when he lies upon a bed of death.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Galatians 6:4. Prove his own work — Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another-not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath left us an example that we should follow his steps.


 
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