JOS JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY

Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ,” embodies a central Christian ethic of mutual care, compassion, and communal responsibility. This study examines the historical and theological significance of the text as a framework for understanding the response of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to human suffering in contemporary Nigerian contexts. Against the backdrop of poverty, insecurity, displacement, unemployment, public health challenges, and social inequality, the study explores how the Anglican Church has interpreted and applied the principle of burden-bearing from the missionary era to the present. Employing historical, archival, and qualitative methodologies, the research draws on biblical exegesis, church historical sources, and contemporary ecclesiastical practices. The findings reveal that Galatians 6:2 has served as a significant theological foundation for Anglican engagement in healthcare, education, social welfare, humanitarian relief, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. The study further demonstrates a remarkable continuity between missionary-era social interventions and contemporary Anglican responses to suffering. However, it also finds that the magnitude of present-day socio-economic and security challenges often exceeds the institutional capacity of the Church, creating a gap between theological ideals and practical outcomes. The paper argues that African communal values and contextual theological reflection provide important resources for strengthening the Church’s ministry of burden-bearing. It concludes that a historically informed and contextually grounded application of Galatians 6:2 remains essential for enhancing the Anglican Church’s contribution to human flourishing and social transformation in contemporary Nigeria.

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