To “uphold” someone is to brace them up because they cannot stand the weight of sin on their own. Thus we have Paul’s explanation here in Galatians 6.

Now, practically how can we “uphold” each other in our weaknesses? We need openness, prayer and accountability. We’ve got to be willing to put away our pride and confess our sins.

How is anyone going to pray for you and brace you up if you don’t tell him or her about the difficulties you are facing? As we “confess” our sins and “pray” for each other, what happens? We are “healed” of our sins. Back up to verses 14-15:

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

We usually take this passage to refer to the physically “sick” and it may have that meaning. However, what may be implied here by the word “sick” is not necessarily physical sickness, but the sickness of sin. “Sick” is from the same word Greek word translated as “weak” in our text.

In other words, if you have a weakness involving a seemingly unconquerable sin, go to the pastors. See prayer and counsel. You will then be upheld!