Galatians 6:11-18 (WEL) See what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 Regarding those who want to put on a pleasing appearance in the flesh, who insist that you be circumcised, only for fear of suffering persecution because of the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not keep the Law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can glory in your flesh. 14 But may it never happen to me that I would glory in anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value, only a new creation.
[Wilbur Pickering PhD writes: Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “because in Christ Jesus” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.)]. 16 To as many as follow that rule, may peace and mercy be on them and on the Israel of God. 17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
V11 See what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
This verse may indicate that Paul had problems with his vision. It was common that he signed his name as authenticating the letter. He wrote about the big letters, which some believe indicates a vision problem requiring a large font. The Greek word for letters is not G3173 μέγας mégas, meaning great in size, amount, etc. The Greek word instead is G4080 πηλίκος pēlíkos, which means (Word Study Dictionary) “meaning either large characters (implying a stiff and unpracticed hand which made the Gr. letters large like the Hebr.) or a large document. The first meaning is given by Chrysostom, Theophylact, Jerome, and other church fathers. The latter by Erasmus and Bengel.”
V12 Regarding those who want to put on a pleasing appearance in the flesh, who insist that you be circumcised, only for fear of suffering persecution because of the cross of Christ.
Believing and doing other than what God wishes is only an appearance. There is nothing about pleasing God. It is only a facade. There is no spiritual value in being circumcised. We are to never be ashamed of the Cross of Christ and if we are to compromise and corrupt the truth. Circumcision is a sign of God’s covenant with ethnic Israel (Genesis 17:11 and Acts 7:7-8).
V13 For those who are circumcised do not keep the Law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can glory in your flesh.
Another point the Paul emphasizes: Circumcision will not help anyone obey Mosaic law faithfully. These who brag about their Jewishness do not obey the law either. Compare Mark 7:7 and Titus 1:14). It is only with the assisting grace of the Holy Spirit that we have enough strength to do what is right (2 Corinthians 12:9).
V14 But may it never happen to me that I would glory in anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world.
The true attitude for believers: We only wish to glorify God (Matthew 5:16) and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which frees believers from the necessity of Mosaic law.
Dying on a cross is a shameful death exacted by the Romans; it is only used for the worst of criminals; also see Hebrews 12:12-13 and Galatians 3:13.
V15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value, only a new creation.
[Wilbur Pickering, PhD, writes: Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “because in Christ Jesus” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.)].
A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) is the only value God wants (John 3:3 and Galatians 6:15) because by faith alone in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:3-7 and John 3:14-18).
V16 To as many as follow that rule, may peace and mercy be on them and on the Israel of God.
That rule is the rule in verse 15. The Israel of God are those ethnic Jews who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most of the church (believers in that day) were ethnic Jews, thus the Israel of God. See Galatians 3:7-9, Romans 4:11-
Dr. Andy Woods explains:
“The phrase “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 refers specifically to ethnic Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Messiah. It does not refer to the entire church or to Gentile believers. This term is an affectionate designation used by Paul to highlight the believing Jewish remnant within the church, distinguishing them from unbelieving Jews.
“Paul’s use of “Israel of God” emphasizes that God’s promises and covenants remain with the nation of Israel, but what truly matters to God is faith in Christ. Not all physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are considered part of the true Israel; rather, it is those who are Jews inwardly—believing Jews—who are the true “Israel of God.” This is consistent with Paul’s teaching elsewhere, such as in Romans 9:6, where he says, “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,” meaning that true Israel is defined by faith, not merely ethnicity.
“This understanding also aligns with the biblical distinction between the church and Israel. The church is composed of all believers, Jew and Gentile alike, united in Christ as one new man (Ephesians 2:15), but the term “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 is a special term of endearment for Jewish believers within the church.
“In summary, “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 is a phrase that refers to ethnic Jews who have trusted in Jesus Christ, affirming their unique place in God’s redemptive plan while distinguishing them from the broader church body that includes Gentile believers.”
Arnold Fruchtenbaum in the Chafer Theological Journal (Online reference – see page 14) (See Precept Austin on Galatians 6:16 for reference links).
“Galatians 6:16 is the only passage adduced by all Covenant Theologians (see discussion of this approach to Biblical interpretation) as evidence that the Church is the spiritual Israel, or that Gentile believers become spiritual Jews. The verse does not prove any such thing. The passage reads: And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. The Book of Galatians is concerned with Gentiles attempting to attain assurance of salvation through the law. The ones deceiving them were Judaizers, who were Jews demanding adherence to the Law of Moses. To them, a Gentile had to convert to Judaism before he qualified for salvation through Christ. In Gal 6:15, Paul states that salvation is by faith, resulting in the one new man. He also mentions two elements: circumcision and uncircumcision. This refers to two groups of people: Jews and Gentiles, two groups already mentioned by these very terms in Gal 2:7, 8, 9. In Gal 6:16, Paul pronounces a blessing on members of the two groups who would follow this rule of salvation through faith alone. The first group is the uncircumcision, the Gentile Christians to whom and of whom he devotes most of the epistle. The second group is the Israel of God. These are the circumcision, the Jewish believers who, in contrast with the Judaizers, followed the rule of salvation by grace through faith alone. Covenant Theologians here ignore the primary meaning of kai (and) which separates the two groups and instead insist on a secondary or lesser meaning (even) in order to blur distinctions within the body of Christ. Thus, the only support of the theory that the Church is spiritual Israel (or that Gentile believers become spiritual Jews) is a secondary meaning of one word, kai. The secondary meaning hardly applies in this verse containing a blessing for both Jewish and Gentile believers. This kind of circular reasoning persists, despite the remarkable absence of scriptural support. (Israelology Part 2 of 6 – page 14)”
V17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Paul refers to the various persecutions, beatings, stoning, etc., that he faced for believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise.
V18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
This is a promise, not a hopeful wish. Paul mentions the believers’ spirit because it is the real person, the source of thoughts, desires, attitudes, etc.
We learn:
- Circumcision has no spiritual value.
- The term “Israel of God” refers to ethnic Jews who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- Do you add anything to the Gospel in order to be saved?
- Do you believe God’s word that the Israel of God refers to ethnic Jewish believers?