Galatians 6:3
New International Version
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

New Living Translation
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

English Standard Version
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Berean Standard Bible
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Berean Literal Bible
For if anyone thinks himself to be something being nothing, he deceives himself.

King James Bible
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

New King James Version
For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

New American Standard Bible
For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

NASB 1995
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

NASB 1977
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Legacy Standard Bible
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Amplified Bible
For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.

Christian Standard Bible
For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

American Standard Version
For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Contemporary English Version
If you think you are better than others, when you really aren't, you are wrong.

English Revised Version
For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So if any one of you thinks you're important when you're really not, you're only fooling yourself.

Good News Translation
If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself.

International Standard Version
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is really nothing, he is only fooling himself.

Majority Standard Bible
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

NET Bible
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

New Heart English Bible
For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Weymouth New Testament
For if there is any one who thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody, he is deluding himself.

World English Bible
For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for if anyone thinks [himself] to be something—being nothing—he deceives himself;

Berean Literal Bible
For if anyone thinks himself to be something being nothing, he deceives himself.

Young's Literal Translation
for if any one doth think himself to be something -- being nothing -- himself he doth deceive;

Smith's Literal Translation
For if any think to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For if any man think himself to be some thing, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For if anyone considers himself to be something, though he may be nothing, he deceives himself.

New American Bible
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself.

New Revised Standard Version
For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For if man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For if a man thinks he is something when he is not, he deceives himself.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For if any one think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself:

Godbey New Testament
For if any one seems to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself.

Haweis New Testament
For if any man conceits that he is something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Mace New Testament
for if a man thinks himself to be considerable, when he is not, he deceives himself.

Weymouth New Testament
For if there is any one who thinks himself to be somebody when he is nobody, he is deluding himself.

Worrell New Testament
For, if any one thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Worsley New Testament
For if any one thinketh that he is something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Carry One Another's Burdens
2Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.…

Cross References
Romans 12:3
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.

1 Corinthians 8:2
The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.

1 Corinthians 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

2 Corinthians 10:12
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.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

1 Corinthians 3:18
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.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.


Treasury of Scripture

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

if.

Galatians 2:6
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:

Proverbs 25:14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

when.

1 Corinthians 13:2
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.

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

2 Corinthians 12:11
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.

1 Corinthians 3:18
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.

2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

James 1:22,26
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…

Jump to Previous
Deceive Deceives Deceiveth Deluding Idea Nobody Somebody Something Think Thinketh Thinks Tricked
Jump to Next
Deceive Deceives Deceiveth Deluding Idea Nobody Somebody Something Think Thinketh Thinks Tricked
Galatians 6
1. He moves them to deal mildly with a brother who has slipped,
2. and to bear one another's burden;
6. to be generous to their teachers,
9. and not weary of well-doing.
12. He shows what they intend that preach circumcision.
14. He glories in nothing, save in the cross of Christ.














If anyone thinks
This phrase introduces the concept of self-perception and introspection. The Greek word for "thinks" is "dokei," which implies an opinion or estimation. In the context of the early church, believers were encouraged to evaluate themselves honestly. The Apostle Paul is addressing the tendency of individuals to overestimate their own importance or abilities. This is a timeless warning against pride and self-deception, urging believers to maintain humility.

he is something
The phrase "he is something" refers to an inflated sense of self-worth. The Greek word "ti" (something) is intentionally vague, suggesting any form of self-importance or superiority. In the historical context of the Galatian church, there were issues of legalism and boasting about adherence to the law. Paul is cautioning against the human tendency to elevate oneself above others, which can lead to division and strife within the community of believers.

when he is nothing
Here, "nothing" is translated from the Greek word "ouden," which means not even one or none at all. This stark contrast emphasizes the reality of human frailty and the futility of pride. In the broader scriptural context, this echoes the biblical theme that apart from God, human efforts are insignificant. It serves as a reminder of the need for dependence on God's grace rather than self-reliance.

he deceives himself
The phrase "he deceives himself" is a powerful conclusion to the verse. The Greek word "phrenapatao" means to mislead or delude one's own mind. This self-deception is a spiritual danger, as it blinds individuals to their true condition and need for God's grace. Historically, this warning would resonate with the Galatians, who were being misled by false teachings. It is a call to self-awareness and truth, encouraging believers to seek God's wisdom and guidance rather than relying on their own understanding.

(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.

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. Galatians 2:6). 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 Titus 1:10. St. James (James 1:26) 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

anyone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: 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
Strong's 1380: 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
Strong's 1510: 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
Strong's 5100: 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
Strong's 1510: 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
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

he deceives
φρεναπατᾷ (phrenapata)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5422: 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
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.


Links
Galatians 6:3 NIV
Galatians 6:3 NLT
Galatians 6:3 ESV
Galatians 6:3 NASB
Galatians 6:3 KJV

Galatians 6:3 BibleApps.com
Galatians 6:3 Biblia Paralela
Galatians 6:3 Chinese Bible
Galatians 6:3 French Bible
Galatians 6:3 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Galatians 6:3 For if a man thinks himself (Gal. Ga)
Galatians 6:2
Top of Page
Top of Page