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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 6:3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/6-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/48_Gal_06_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 6:3 - Carry One Another's Burdens" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/6-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/6-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/6-2.htm" title="Galatians 6:2">◄</a> Galatians 6:3 <a href="/galatians/6-4.htm" title="Galatians 6:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/6.htm">New International Version</a> If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. <a href="/nlt/galatians/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. <a href="/esv/galatians/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/bsb/galatians/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/blb/galatians/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For if anyone thinks himself to be something being nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/kjv/galatians/6.htm">King James Bible</a> For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/6.htm">New King James Version</a> For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/nasb/galatians/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/lsb/galatians/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/amp/galatians/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself. <a href="/csb/galatians/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/asv/galatians/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/cev/galatians/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you think you are better than others, when you really aren't, you are wrong. <a href="/erv/galatians/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/gwt/galatians/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So if any one of you thinks you're important when you're really not, you're only fooling yourself. <a href="/gnt/galatians/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. <a href="/isv/galatians/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> For if anyone thinks he is something when he is really nothing, he is only fooling himself. <a href="/msb/galatians/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/net/galatians/6.htm">NET Bible</a> For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/nheb/galatians/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/wbt/galatians/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/wey/galatians/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For if there is any one who thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody, he is deluding himself. <a href="/web/galatians/6.htm">World English Bible</a> For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for if anyone thinks [himself] to be something—being nothing—he deceives himself; <a href="/blb/galatians/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For if anyone thinks himself to be something being nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/ylt/galatians/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for if any one doth think himself to be something -- being nothing -- himself he doth deceive; <a href="/slt/galatians/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For if any think to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For if any man think himself to be some thing, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For if anyone considers himself to be something, though he may be nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/nabre/galatians/6.htm">New American Bible</a> For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For if man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For if a man thinks he is something when he is not, he deceives himself.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For if any one think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself: <a href="/godbey/galatians/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For if any one seems to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/haweis/galatians/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For if any man conceits that he is something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/mace/galatians/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for if a man thinks himself to be considerable, when he is not, he deceives himself. <a href="/wey/galatians/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For if there is any one who thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody, he is deluding himself. <a href="/worrell/galatians/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For, if any one thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. <a href="/worsley/galatians/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For if any one thinketh that he is something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. <a href="/parallel/galatians/6-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=1207" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/6.htm">Carry One Another's Burdens</a> …2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: dokei (V-PIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">thinks</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">he is</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: ti (IPro-NNS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">something</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">when he is</a> <a href="/greek/3367.htm" title="3367: mēden (Adj-NNS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing,</a> <a href="/greek/5422.htm" title="5422: phrenapata (V-PIA-3S) -- To deceive the mind, impose upon. From phrenapates; to be a mind-misleader, i.e. Delude.">he deceives</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heauton (RefPro-AM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">himself.</a> 4Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/12-3.htm">Romans 12:3</a> For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. <a href="/1_corinthians/8-2.htm">1 Corinthians 8:2</a> The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. <a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a> Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a> Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-12.htm">1 Corinthians 10:12</a> So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. <a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Proverbs 3:7</a> Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. <a href="/2_corinthians/10-12.htm">2 Corinthians 10:12</a> We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance. <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3</a> Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a> Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18</a> Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. <a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a> But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” <a href="/proverbs/11-2.htm">Proverbs 11:2</a> When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a> If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. <a href="/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21</a> Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. <a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a> For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.if.<a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Galatians 2:6</a> But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:<a href="/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14</a> Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.<a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a> Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.when.<a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">1 Corinthians 13:2</a> And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.<a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5</a> Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;<a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">2 Corinthians 12:11</a> I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.he deceiveth.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18</a> Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.<a href="/2_timothy/3-13.htm">2 Timothy 3:13</a> But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.<a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22,26</a> But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">Deceive</a> <a href="/mark/13-5.htm">Deceives</a> <a href="/john/7-12.htm">Deceiveth</a> <a href="/james/1-22.htm">Deluding</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-10.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-11.htm">Nobody</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Somebody</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Something</a> <a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Think</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-37.htm">Thinketh</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-37.htm">Thinks</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Tricked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Deceive</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">Deceives</a> <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Deceiveth</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-11.htm">Deluding</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-12.htm">Nobody</a> <a href="/galatians/6-4.htm">Somebody</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Something</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-20.htm">Think</a> <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Thinketh</a> <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Thinks</a> <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Tricked</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 6</div>1. <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">He moves them to deal mildly with a brother who has slipped,</a> 2. <a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">and to bear one another's burden;</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">to be generous to their teachers,</a> 9. <a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">and not weary of well-doing.</a> 12. <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">He shows what they intend that preach circumcision.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/6-14.htm">He glories in nothing, save in the cross of Christ.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If anyone thinks he is something This phrase addresses the issue of pride and self-deception. In the context of the early church, there was a tendency among some believers to consider themselves superior due to their adherence to the law or their spiritual gifts. This echoes the warning in <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a>, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." The apostle Paul often confronted the issue of pride, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1-2</a>, where he reminds believers that knowledge can lead to arrogance if not tempered by love.when he is nothing Paul emphasizes human frailty and the need for humility. This reflects the biblical teaching that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (<a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>). The cultural context of the Greco-Roman world often valued status and honor, but Paul subverts this by highlighting the Christian call to humility. Jesus Christ exemplified this humility, as described in <a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a>, where He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant.he deceives himself Self-deception is a recurring theme in Scripture, warning believers against the dangers of being misled by their own hearts. <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a> states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This phrase serves as a caution against the false security that can come from self-reliance or self-righteousness. <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-24</a> also warns against merely hearing the word and not doing it, as this leads to self-deception. The call is to live in truth and humility, recognizing one's dependence on God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in the region of Galatia. Paul is concerned with correcting false teachings and encouraging the believers to live by the Spirit. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a> A region in modern-day Turkey where Paul established several churches. The Galatians were struggling with issues related to legalism and the influence of Judaizers. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group of Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be true Christians. They are indirectly addressed in Paul's letter as he emphasizes faith in Christ over the law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_self-assessment.htm">Humility in Self-Assessment</a> Recognize that self-deception is a danger when we overestimate our own importance or abilities. True wisdom comes from understanding our position before God. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride.htm">The Danger of Pride</a> Pride can lead to self-deception and a false sense of security. We must guard against thinking we are more than we are, which can lead to spiritual downfall. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a> Acknowledge that our worth and identity are found in Christ, not in our own achievements or status. This perspective fosters a reliance on God's grace rather than our own efforts. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> Engage with fellow believers in a spirit of humility, recognizing that we are all part of the body of Christ and need each other for growth and accountability. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_character.htm">Reflecting Christ's Character</a> Strive to emulate Christ's humility and servant-heartedness in our interactions with others, putting their needs above our own.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 6</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'not_under_the_law'_mean.htm">What does 'not under the law' mean for Christians?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_r.c._sproul_and_his_teachings.htm">What is the slippery slope of sin?</a> <a href="/q/why_boast_about_your_own_achievements.htm">Why boast about your own achievements?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_galatians_6_2.htm">What is the meaning of Galatians 6:2?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) He deceiveth himself.--A peculiar word, perhaps coined by St. Paul: puts himself under an hallucination; persuades himself of the existence of that which has no reality.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself (εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εϊναί τι μηδὲν ὤν φρεεναπατᾷ ἑαυτόν [Receptus, ἑαυτὸν φρεναπατᾷ; for if a man is nothing and thinketh himself to be something, he is deceiving his own soul. The conjunction "for" points back to the practical direction just given to the "spiritual;" meaning that for those who wished to be, and also perhaps to be thought to be, fulfilling Christ's law, this was the behaviour which they were to carry out, and without which their claim was mere self-delusion. The phrase, δοκεῖ εϊναί τι μηδὲν ὤν, is well illustrated by the passage cited by critics from Plato's 'Apologia,' p. 41, E: Ἐὰν δοκῶσί τι εϊναι μηδὲν ὄντες ὀνειδίζετε αὐτοῖς... ὅτι,... οἴονταί τι εϊναι ὄντες οὐδενὸς ἄξιοι "Something" is, by a common meiosis, put for "something considerable" (cf. <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Galatians 2:6</a>). The especial form of eminence, the claim to which is here referred to, is eminence in spirituality and consistency as a servant of Christ. Possibly the apostle has in his eye certain individuals among the Galatians that he had heard of, who, professing much, were, however, self-complacently bitter and contemptuous towards brethren who had gone wrong in moral conduct or who differed from themselves in the disputes then rife in those Churches. The phrase, μηδὲν ὤν, "being nothing," is a part of the hypothesis relative to the individual case spoken of, not a statement putting forth the aphorism that no one is really anything. The passage quoted above from Plato shows, that in the latter case we should have had οὐδὲν and not μηδέν. Some men, by the grace of God, are "something;" but these persons only fancy themselves to be so. Whether any man is really "something" or not is determined by his practical conduct - his "work" as the apostle expresses it in the next verse. The verb φρεναπατᾷν occurs in the New Testament only here, though we have the substantive φρεναπάτης, deceivers, in <a href="/titus/1-10.htm">Titus 1:10</a>. St. James (<a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a>) speaks of a man "deceiving his heart ' in seemingly just the same sense. In both passages it appears to be meant that a man palms off upon his own mind fancies as if they were just apprehensions of real facts; in both also these fancies are but illusive notions of one's own religious character - here, as being "spiritual;" in James, as being "religious" or "devout" (θρῆσκος) - the activity of practical benevolence being in both cases wanting; for "the bridling not his tongue" in ver. 26 is proved by the contrasted behaviour spoken of in the next verse to refer to those sins of the tongue which are implicitly condemned in vers. 19-21. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/6-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. thinks δοκεῖ (dokei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. he is εἶναί (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. something τι (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. when he is ὤν (ōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. nothing, μηδὲν (mēden) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3367.htm">Strong's 3367: </a> No one, none, nothing. he deceives φρεναπατᾷ (phrenapata) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> To deceive the mind, impose upon. From phrenapates; to be a mind-misleader, i.e. Delude. himself. ἑαυτόν (heauton) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/6-3.htm">Galatians 6:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/6-3.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 6:3 For if a man thinks himself (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/6-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 6:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 6:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/6-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 6:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 6:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>