Galatians 6:2-5 - Prioritizing o2 masks

Some people don't trust the Bible because, they say, "It's full of contradictions." Seeing apparent contradictions should challenge us to study them more carefully.

Here's one from Galatians 6 (English Standard Version):

2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 
4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 
5 For each one will carry his own load.

Think through how these two things are applied in our daily life.
On one hand, we're told to carry each other's burdens.
On the other hand, we're told that everyone has to carry their own load.

Nowhere does it say, "Go out and find someone to help you carry your burden." That would be a genuine contradiction.

Life breaks down when everyone is a taker. (I want YOU to help ME!)
If everyone is a giver, then their first priority is to carry their own load and then help others carry their burdens. This isn't being selfish, it's being prudent. 

When you board a jet, the flight attendant demonstrates how to put on your seatbelt, etc. If the cabin loses pressure, oxygen masks magically pop down from the ceiling, right in front of your face. If you have a child with you, put your own mask on FIRST, and then the child's. Why? Because if you don't have oxygen yourself, you won't live long enough to help the child.

Father in heaven, You want us to carry others' burdens, because it fulfills "the law of Christ," Your Son. That law is the law of love. Fill our hearts with Your love to the point of overflowing, to the point where we have strength not only to shoulder our own load, but that of our neighbor. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Knowing the original Greek of key words isn't necessarily helpful in resolving this paradox. (Adapted from BAGD)

"Carry" (βαστάζω) is used in reference to carrying a literal burden: a jar of water, a coffin, a cross, a person--including a pregnant woman carrying a baby.

Carrying each other's burden (βάρος) This is only used in the figurative sense: A mother carries the burden of caring for her children (1 Thessalonians 2:7) Imposing a spiritual burden (Revelations 2:24; Acts 15:28), or the "weight of glory" we will share with Christ in heaven (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Carrying our own load (φορτίον). This word is used literally, like the load of cargo on a ship. It's also used symbolically of "the burden of the law"