<H3>Chapter # 6 Paragraph # 1  Study # 1<BR />August 25, 2013<BR />Dayton, Texas</b></H3>

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1769 Translation: 
<BR />1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
<BR />2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
<BR />3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
<BR />4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
<BR />5  For every man shall bear his own burden.

1901 ASV Translation: 
<BR />1  Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
<BR />2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
<BR />3  For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
<BR />4  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.
<BR />5  For each man shall bear his own burden.

<ul><li>I. The "Brethren" Ministry Within the Church. 
	<ul><li>A. The three types of "brethren" involved. 
		<ul><li>1. The "overtaken". 
		<li>2. The "spiritual". 
		<li>3. The "unspiritual" (at what point is such an one to be classified as an "overtaken" one?). 
		</ul>
	<li>B. The issue:  an "overtaken" brother. 
		<ul><li>1. The term Paul used is used in <b>1&nbsp;Corinthians 11:21</b> to mean "to take (food/drink) before a regular meal" and addresses people who are hungry and use the opportunity to eat ahead of the timing of their typical meal. 
		<li>2. The term is also used in Mark <b>14:8</b> to mean "to take an action before the circumstances have arrived that would typically call for that action". 
		<li>3. The implication, therefore, in our text is that a "brother" has been surprised by a temptation that was "before its time" and has, thus, succumbed to it, being caught off guard. 
		<li>4. Though this procedure can be applied to any "brother to brother" relationship, it is hindered significantly if the "brother" and the "spiritual brothers" are not members of the same local church.  The biblical instruction assumes membership in the same local body.  In today's highly fragmented "church scene", this process is almost impossible. 
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	<li>C. The "overtaker". 
		<ul><li>1. The word is used in 20 texts in the New Testament, many of which are unspecific in terms of its meaning. 
		<li>2. The one context where the meaning is extremely clear is <b>Romans 5</b> (where it is used five times): that meaning is that Adam violated a known boundary.  The consequences are very grave because the "trespass" (not "fault") was against unambiguous knowledge. 
		<li>3. The strong implication is that, though the "trespass" was "before its time" in terms of anticipation, it was not an "unknown".  The "trespass" is not an inadvertent "stumble"; it is a violation of a known boundary. 
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	<li>D. The "spiritual" action. 
		<ul><li>1. It is translated "restore". 
		<li>2. The verb is used by Matthew to refer to fishermen "mending" their torn nets (<b>4:21</b>) and to refer to accurate "praise" given by almost completely ignorant "babes" (<b>21:16</b>). 
		<li>3. <b>Luke 6:40</b> uses the verb to describe the "disciple" who has reached to the maturity level of his "teacher". 
		<li>4. <b>Romans 9:22</b> uses it to refer to "vessels of wrath" who have been tolerated as they grow more and more adept at doing great evil so that they are "fitted" for destruction. 
		<li>5. <b>1&nbsp;Corinthians 1:10</b> uses it to refer to brethren who have come to agreement about something. 
		<li>6. The use of this verb in the New Testament has to do with getting into a process that eventually results in the accomplishment of the desired goal.
		</ul>
	<li>E. The "spiritual" requirement: "meekness". 
		<ul><li>1. The qualification is that one which was used in <b>5:23</b> to refer to one's attitude toward God as an aspect of the "fruit" of the Spirit.  Trench says that the term indicates a confidence in God that the unpleasant reality that calls it forth is under His control for our good.  In our look at <b>5:23</b>, we noted that "meekness" is fundamentally a persuasion that painful circumstances are a part of God's process to build us up in the faith. 
		<li>2. This "meekness" is attended by the thoughtful realization that anyone, at any time, could be "overtaken" ... including the "spiritual".  Without this realization, the "restorer" ends up being the "overtaken". 
		</ul>
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