King James Bible
"For every man shall bear his own burden."
Paul emphasizes personal responsibility applies universally—each individual, without exception, has obligations they cannot transfer to others. This follows his discussion of bearing one another's burdens (v.2), creating a deliberate tension that highlights different types of loads in Christian community. The Greek word 'phortion' refers to a personal pack or cargo—the everyday responsibilities and duties assigned to each person. Unlike the crushing 'burdens' (baros) in verse 2 that require communal help, these are the normal life obligations each must fulfill before God, underscoring individual accountability at the judgment.