"It matters a great deal who is going to win, but not at all who won"
Comparisons
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else. Galatians 6:4I love to apply Scripture to sport. I am still working on the interpretation of “the last will be first, and the first will be last”! (Matthew 20:16)
Sport lives by comparison. I may be the best in my club and think I am quite good until I compete at the regional, national or international level. Thus for the sportsperson, comparing yourself to someone else is both necessary and helpful.
So what is Paul’s point? I think he is reminding the Galatians – and us – that each of us is responsible for our own actions. We cannot excuse ourselves on the grounds that there are worse people than us! We are to test our own actions. If we test ourselves against God’s standards, then we will fall very far short.
In life and in sport we need to take responsibility for our own actions. There is nothing wrong with being pleased with an achievement, an improvement in our performance. In the verses before and after, Paul tells the Galatians both to carry their own load and to carry each other’s load. That again applies both to life and sport. We need to take responsibility and not blame others. At the same time if we are part of a team or training group we need to look out for others.