Does Galatians 6:2 and Galatians 6:5 Contradict?

Does Galatians 6:2 & Galatians 6:5 Contradict?

In Galatians 6:2, it is written: "Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ," (Galatians 6:2 NASB1995). 

In Galatians 6:5, it is written: "For each one will bear his own load," (Galatians 6:5 NASB1995).

Verse 2 says that we should bear one another's burdens while verse 5 seems to tell us the opposite; however, this is just a misreading of the text. Paul here is making an intentional contrast that is hard to pick up without looking deeper at the Greek of the passage.

In Galatians 6:2, the Greek word for "burdens" or "βάρη" "are burdens which exceed his strength," (Bengal). "Weight, heaviness; a burden, anything grievous and hard to be borne, Mt. 20:12; Acts 15:28; Gal. 6:2," (Mounce). The word means tasks that a person cannot do by oneself and thus needs the help of another. Paul, here, is telling believers to encourage and support one another during these hard times.

In Galatians 6:5, the Greek word for "load" or "φορτίον" is used. It refers to "a burden proportioned to the strength of him who bears it," (Bengal).

Meyer clarifies: "The distinction between βάρος and φορτίον (which is not diminutive) consists in this, that the latter denotes the burden in so far as it is carried (by men, beasts, ships, waggons; hence freight, baggage, and the like), while the former denotes the burden as heavy and oppressive; in itself the φορτίον may be light or heavy; hence: φορτία βαρέα (Matthew 23:4; Sir 21:16), and ἔλαφρα (Matthew 11:30); whereas the βάρος is always burdensome. The expression is purposely chosen here from its relative character," (Meyer). The idea is for great burdens, the church should help one another. As for simple tasks, a person must not be a sloth but do them.

References:

Bengel, Johann Albrecht, et al. Gnomon of the New Testament. United Kingdom, T. & T. Clark, 1858.

Meyer, Heinrich August Wilhelm. Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. United States, Funk & Wagnalls, 1885.

Mounce, William D.. Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar: Fourth Edition. United States, Zondervan Academic, 2019.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.