| Geneva Study Bible For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. People's New Testament 6:3 If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing. If he thinks he is strong, needs no help, will never need sympathy, etc. he deceiveth himself. Wesley's Notes 6:3 If any one think himself to be something - Above his brethren, or by any strength of his own. When he is nothing, he deceiveth himself - He alone will bear their burdens, who knows himself to be nothing. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 3. Self-conceit, the chief hindrance to forbearance and sympathy towards our fellow men, must be laid aside. something-possessed of some spiritual pre-eminence, so as to be exempt from the frailty of other men. when he is nothing-The Greek is subjective: "Being, if he would come to himself, and look on the real fact, nothing" [Alford] (Ga 6:2, 6; Ro 12:3; 1Co 8:2). deceiveth himself-literally, "he mentally deceives himself." Compare Jas 1:26, "deceiveth his own heart." Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 6:1-5 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. | 
