Gentle Restoration: Syntax, Subjunctive Contingency, and Spiritual Vigilance in Galatians 6:1

Ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν καὶ προληφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι, ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύματι πρᾳότητος σκοπῶν σεαυτόν, μὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς. (Galatians 6:1)

Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, watching yourself, lest you also be tempted.

Conditional Compassion Through Grammar

Galatians 6:1 opens Paul’s concluding ethical exhortations by urging believers to restore the fallen with gentleness. The verse is a rich example of how Koine Greek syntax combines conditional structure, participial reasoning, and reflexive admonition. A conditional sentence governs the whole thought, embedding within it a call to action and self-awareness. The grammar enforces both pastoral care and spiritual humility.

Main Structure: A First-Class Conditional Sentence

The sentence begins with:

• ἐὰν καὶ προληφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι

This is a conditional protasis, using the conjunction ἐὰν (if) with the aorist subjunctive passive verb προληφθῇ (should be overtaken, caught).

• προληφθῇ is aorist passive subjunctive 3rd singular from προλαμβάνω, literally “to be caught beforehand.”
• ἄνθρωπος is the subject: “a person” or “a man.”
• ἔν τινι παραπτώματι is a prepositional phrase (“in some transgression”), with the dative singular τινι modifying παραπτώματι.

The syntax expresses a potential situation — not a certainty, but a plausible failure within the Christian community.

Apodosis: The Spiritual Response

The main clause of the sentence is:

• ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον

This is the command or apodosis that follows the “if” clause.

• ὑμεῖς is the emphatic nominative plural pronoun: “you.”
• οἱ πνευματικοὶ is the appositive noun phrase: “the spiritual ones,” defining who should act.
• καταρτίζετε is present active imperative 2nd plural: “restore” or “mend.”
• τὸν τοιοῦτον is the accusative direct object: “such a one,” referring to the fallen brother.

The imperative mood gives the response ethical urgency, and the use of τοιοῦτον (“such a one”) emphasizes both compassion and specificity.

Means and Manner: Prepositional and Participial Phrases

• ἐν πνεύματι πρᾳότητος — “in a spirit of gentleness”

This prepositional phrase indicates manner. The noun πνεύματι is dative singular, modified by the genitive abstract noun πρᾳότητος (“gentleness”). This mirrors Paul’s broader fruit of the Spirit ethic (cf. Galatians 5:23).

• σκοπῶν σεαυτόν — “watching yourself”

This present active participle (σκοπῶν) is nominative singular masculine, modifying the implicit subject. It introduces a simultaneous action: as you restore, be watching yourself.

• σεαυτόν is accusative reflexive, “yourself.”

Final Warning Clause: μή καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς

• μή introduces a negative purpose or warning clause.
• καὶ σύ — “even you” (emphatic)
• πειρασθῇς is aorist passive subjunctive 2nd singular from πειράζω, “to be tempted.”

This clause functions as the reason for self-awareness: that you not also be tempted/fall into trial. The syntax reflects a moral loop — the helper is also vulnerable.

Syntactic Summary Table

The Grammatical Shape of Mercy

Galatians 6:1 offers a masterful blend of conditionality, imperative exhortation, and pastoral warning. The syntax highlights a truth central to Paul’s ethics: restoration must be as gentle as it is firm, and the restorer must remain humble and guarded.

The conditional subjunctive (ἐὰν… προληφθῇ) reflects real pastoral possibility, not just theory. The imperative (καταρτίζετε) comes with qualifying modifiers that soften it: gentleness, self-examination, and caution.

Here, Greek syntax becomes pastoral theology, a grammar of grace and accountability.