The translators of the A.V. here make it seem as if Paul is contradicting himself. This anomaly is corrected in the R.S.V. by using the word load in verse 5, but in both verses neither translation adequately expresses the meaning behind the word.
In verse 2, the original baros, translated ‘burden’, indicates a weight or pressure which may be relieved or transferred. The parable of the labourers in the vineyard speaks of those who had “borne the burden (baros) and heat of the day”. The heavy loads, pressure of harvest and hard work, compassed by the one word burden, would have been mitigated by extra labour to share the task. The papyri speak of “the burden of taxation” and “the burden of oppression“, both of which could be transferred or lessened by sharing.
As Hebrews 12. 1 states, “sin which doth so easily beset us” is a weight pressing down and impeding us in our race. This great ‘burden’ may be relieved by our mutual assistance in our efforts to overcome difficulties and shortcomings. We each miss the mark in different ways. Your strength in one direction may be sufficient to lessen the burden of another. Strength is not an occasion for boasting, but sharing to fulfill the law of Christ, by restoration of the faulty in a spirit of gentleness. In this we have Christ’s example, for, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” ( I Peter 2. 25). Christ’s burden of forgiveness and reconciliation of men to God and to each other may be shared by each of his brothers and sisters.
The burden (portion) of verse 5 cannot be shared. The papyri use it as a `soldier’s kit’ or ‘a man’s shoulder pack’, or again as ‘a ship’s cargo’. We each have our own load to carry, and evasion merits the scathing rebuke of the Master, as given to the Scribes and Pharisees: curse on you experts in the Law, because you load people down with loads too heavy to carry, and yet you do not touch the loads yourselves with one of your fingers” (Luke 23. 46). To all who are so over-burdened and wearied by human high-mindedness, Jesus says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am meek and humble in heart. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
As soldiers of Christ, we each have our kit to carry: to be humble in heart and meek as was Jesus. Critical self-examination and self-correction humbles and makes in us a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price. The standard of self-examination and self-correction is not one’s brother or sister, far less the non-christian. Paul says, “When they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”
Rather should we measure ourselves by the purpose for which Christ has called us; and this load is light because of the abundant love and grace available to those who willingly shoulder their individual responsibility to God, for their manner and mode of life.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay