Sloppy Seconds

A while back, I found an article that described what the author called "sloppy exegesis." The funny thing was that the author's exegesis was the sloppy part. Real second-hand stuff. At the heart of the matter was Galatians 6:1 (quoted here in the ESV, as was used by the author in question) -

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

I will refrain from directly quoting this author, as it might enable a person to find that source directly. This would be against my better judgement as I do not like to send traffic to sources of misleading information unless my specific goal is to show the media lies on a topic. This is clearly not such a case.

Failed Logic
Nevertheless, the author in question suggested that this verse was commanding Christians to confront brothers (and sisters) in Christ who were caught in sin. My take on it reflects the opinion of the majority of Christian exegetical experts: that Paul is warning that if a person confronts another, the point is to do so gently, lest the confronter also be tempted to sin.

The author in question gave the idea that the verb "should restore" is an imperative, and is somehow, therefore, the command. It was also implied directly that to fail to do a command of God is a sin.

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I wonder if this would fall into the 667 sins a Cafeteria-Christian must avoid?
Or is that 124 sins?
Or is it really 67 sins?

Another Command?
If the author's logic was sound, then another potential for sin would be failing to give one another a "Holy Kiss."
Romans 16:16 -

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

1 Corinthians 16:20 -

All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

2 Corinthians 13:12 -

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 -

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

Four times, Paul directly commands that Christians shall greet one another with a holy kiss. Not once... but four times! Therefore, it is clearly a sin to fail to greet another Christian with a "holy kiss."

And Another?
What about the command for women to wear head coverings? 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 -

but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.

By the way, this verse also clearly commands that a woman with short hair is disgraceful. That is sin!
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What it really means
Paul is making suggestions in each of these cases. 
1. To confront sinners gently.
2. To greet each other with love. 
3. To abide by the local customs within reason. 

These are not commands of God, the failure to keep is "sin." 
By the way - the list of other "commands" issued by Paul would be quite long!


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