In Galatians chapter six verses two and five, there are two different Greek works used for the word "burden" in these two passages. Let us look at this word "burden," and how they are used in the context of this chapter. First, in verse two, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). "Bear ye" is in the present tense and thus indicates the fact that we are to continue to bear one another’s burdens. "Bear" is from the Greek which means "to shoulder a heavy burden." The original word for "burdens" literally means weight, a load, trouble. This means supplying a hand to help in lifting a heavy load. The type of burden referred to, in this context, is that of moral afflictions and weaknesses, and the regret and disgrace which they awaken in the guilty party. Such burdens are those which overcome man spiritually and threaten to break him/her down. How do we know this to be true? Look at verse one, staying within the context of these passages: "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" (Galatians 6:1). The sin under consideration is not precisely pictured, but is only referred to as one that a man is "overtaken in." The words for "overtaken" which Arndt & Gingrich defines as to "detect, overtake, surprise . . . someone." Meaning he is surprised by being caught in the sin. Thayer seems to support this view when he says "to take one by deterring him (before he can flee or conceal his crime). Brothers, if anybody is caught in the very act of doing wrong." McGarvey & Pendleton said it means, "literally, caught."
The word "trespass" comes from the Greek word which means, according to Arndt & Gingrich, "a false step, transgression, sin." Thayer defines it as "a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness; a sin; misdeed."
The word for "restore" is a word that is used for executing a repair, "to repair, to restore to a former good condition, to prepare, to fit out, to equip." It is used of reconciling factions, of setting bones, of putting a dislocated limb into place. It is used by Paul usually in a figurative sense of setting a person right, of bringing him into line.
In restoring a person to his rightful condition, one bears or helps carry his burden, his load, or weight. I say all this because burdens are often thought of as physical problems, such as sickness, or I need you to bear my burden of taking me all over town; or I need you to clean out my garage, clean my house, help me move, or I have financial problems, etc., but the context is dealing with the fallen. "…admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all" (1 Thess. 5:14). We take this passage out of its setting, out of its context. It is not taking advantage of others in the physical realm! Paul speaks of Christians bearing each other's sorrows, due to sins, dealing with the fallen, spiritual not physical. Why do my brethren always quote this verse just to take advantage of brethren? You need to help me do this, you need to help me do that; you’re supposed to bear my burden; this week I need my car washed. We should understand that it is our responsibility to help one another in spiritual matters. We have a responsibility to extend help to a fallen brother. The burden under consideration is the sin in which a brother has been overtaken. The faithful brother is to help bear the burden by assisting in the restoration of the sinner. Here the burden is the sense of weakness and shame, the sense of dishonor done to the name of the Lord Jesus, which is the portion of a believer who has been overtaken in a trespass. We bear one another’s burdens when we support and uphold one another, help one another in the trials of life, and restore to fellowship when one stumbles!
If a brother commits a sin there is the responsibility of helping him bear it by showing him his error, encouraging him to repent and giving him the encouragement he needs to keep himself free of his sin. In this way, one bears his burden with him. But ultimately the man who sins is responsible for his own sin. Notice: "For each man shall bear his own burden" (Galatians 6:5). Here in verse five the Greek word for burden means obligation, personal responsibility. One cannot obey the gospel for another; there are personal obligations which are not transferable; each must carry his own load. This is true whether the burdens are physical or moral. One might help the brother carry the physical loads of life, but ultimately he is the one that must face his own problems. Each must answer for himself to God: in this sense, no other can assume our burden. "... for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God." "Who will render to every man according to his works." "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things (done) in the body, according to what he hath done, whether (it be) good or bad" (Romans 14:10-12; 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We have an individual life that carries its own responsibilities. We are individually responsible to God. There are afflictions we must bear alone. We have a load of responsibility that we must bear ourselves. It is a burden that cannot be given to another. We must act for ourselves in the matter of salvation. I am saying that if you are lost, or an erring brother or sister, you cannot blame others; you cannot blame circumstances; the blame is on you!
Each must fulfill his/her duty before God! The weights of the afflicted, and erring are to be shared by the saints; the burden of each is to be borne by himself in respect to rendering his account to God.