Galatians 6:11-18·~1 min

Final Warnings and Blessings

Writing now in large letters with his own hand, Paul exposes the motive of those who compel circumcision: they want a favorable outward appearance and freedom from persecution for the cross, and they hope to boast in the Galatians' flesh. Against that he sets his own boast in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to him and he to the world, and he says that what finally counts is not circumcision or uncircumcision but a new creation.

S¹¹ee what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand! ¹²Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. ¹³For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.

Paul then speaks peace and mercy on all who walk by this rule, and on the Israel of God. He asks that no one trouble him further because he bears on his body the marks of Jesus, and he ends with grace from the Lord Jesus Christ resting with the Galatians' spirit.

¹⁶Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God. ¹⁷From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.

Section summaryPaul takes the pen in his own hand and says that those pressing circumcision want an outwardly respectable religion that avoids persecution for the cross and gives them grounds to boast in other people's flesh. Against them Paul sets the cross alone as his boast, because through it the world has been crucified to him and he to the world, and because what finally counts is not circumcision or uncircumcision but a new creation. He ends with peace, mercy, the marks of Jesus on his own body, and a final word of grace.

Role in the chapterThis closing section gathers the whole letter into its last contrast. It opposes outward religious display to the cross, the old divisions to the new creation, and human boasting to grace.