1. Galatians 6:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean to restore someone in a spirit of gentleness?

Galatians 6:1 (ESV)

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). In this case, it will mean treating the person who is caught up in sinful patterns with dignity and respect, conscious of the fact that it could just as well have been you who needed the help of others.1 Such behaviour is the opposite of the gloating and harshness that comes from our sinful nature, which is the typical way in which many people rejoice when someone falls because it makes them look better.2