Brethren, if a man be overtaken - Εαν προληφθη· If he be surprised, seized on without warning, suddenly invaded, taken before he is aware: all these meanings the word has in connections similar to this. Strabo, lib. xvi., page 1120, applies it to the rhinoceros, in its contests with the elephant: he suddenly rips up the belly of the elephant, αν μη προληφθη τῃ προβοσκιδι, that he may not be surprised with his trunk. For, should the elephant seize him with his trunk first, all resistance would be afterwards in vain; therefore he endeavors to rip up the elephant's belly with the horn which is on his nose, in order to prevent this. It is used also by Arrian, in Peripl. Mar. Eryth., page 164, and page 168, to signify a vessel being suddenly agitated and whirled by the waves, and then dashed on the rocks. See Kypke.

Ye which are spiritual - Ye who still retain the grace of the Gospel, and have wisdom and experience in Divine things;

Restore such a one - Καταρτιζετε τον τοιουτον· Bring the man back into his place. It is a metaphor taken from a dislocated limb, brought back by the hand of a skillful and tender surgeon into its place.

In the spirit of meekness - Use no severity nor haughty carriage towards him; as the man was suddenly overtaken, he is already deeply humbled and distressed, and needs much encouragement and lenient usage. There is a great difference between a man who being suddenly assailed falls into sin, and the man who transgressed in consequence of having Walked in the counsel of the Ungodly, or Stood in the way of Sinners.

Considering thyself - Σκοπων σεαυτον· Looking to thyself; as he fell through a moment of unwatchfulness, look about, that thou be not surprised; As he fell, so mayest thou: thou art now warned at his expense; therefore keep a good look out.

Lest thou also be tempted - And having had this warning, thou wilt have less to plead in extenuation of thy offense. It is no wonder if a harsh and cruel censurer of a weak, backsliding brother, should be taught moderation and mercy by an awful proof of his own frailty. Such a one may justly dread the most violent attacks from the arch enemy; he will disgrace him if he can, and if he can overtake him he will have no small triumph. Consider the possibility of such a case, and show the mercy and feeling which thou wouldst then wish to receive from another. From the consideration of what we are, what we have been, or what we may be, we should learn to be compassionate. The poet Mantuanus has set this in a fine light in his Eclogue, De honesto Amore: -

Id commune malum; semel insanivimus omnes:

Aut sumus, aut fuimus, aut possemus omne quod hic est.

"This is a common evil; at one time or other we have all done wrong.

Either we are, or have been, or may be, as bad as he whom we condemn."

if. or, although. overtaken.

Galatians 2:11-13 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed...

Genesis 9:20-24 And Noah began to be an farmer, and he planted a vineyard...

Genesis 12:11-13 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, Behold now...

Numbers 20:10-13 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now, you rebels...

2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king's house...

*etc:

Matthew 26:69,75 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee...

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful disputations.

Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

James 5:19 Brothers, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

spiritual.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual...

restore.

2 Samuel 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city; the one rich...

*etc:

Job 4:3,4 Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands...

Isaiah 35:3,4 Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees...

Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken...

Matthew 9:13 But go you and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous...

Matthew 18:12-15 How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine...

Luke 15:4-7,22-32 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness...

Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

James 5:19,20 Brothers, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him...

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not to death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not to death...

Jude 1:22,23 And of some have compassion, making a difference...

in the.

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

1 Corinthians 4:21 What will you? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you...

2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts...

considering.

1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer...

1 Corinthians 10:12 Why let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

The Owner's Brand
I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.'--GAL. vi. 17. The reference in these words is probably to the cruel custom of branding slaves as we do cattle, with initials or signs, to show their ownership. It is true that in old times criminals, and certain classes of Temple servants, and sometimes soldiers, were also so marked, but it is most in accordance with the Apostle's way of thinking that he here has reference to the first class, and would represent himself as the slave of Jesus Christ, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
22. And to holy David indeed it might more justly be said, that he ought not to have been angry; no, not with one however ungrateful and rendering evil for good; yet if, as man, anger did steal over him, he ought not to have let it so prevail, that he should swear to do a thing which either by giving way to his rage he should do, or by breaking his oath leave undone. But to the other, set as he was amid the libidinous frenzy of the Sodomites, who would dare to say, "Although thy guests in thine own …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

On Account Then of These Either Occupations of the Servants of God...
17. On account then of these either occupations of the servants of God, or bodily infirmities, which cannot be altogether wanting, not only doth the Apostle permit the needs of saints to be supplied by good believers, but also most wholesomely exhorteth. For, setting apart that power, which he saith himself had not used, which yet that the faithful must serve unto, he enjoins, saying, "Let him that is catechised in the word, communicate unto him that doth catechise him, in all good things:" [2531] …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.