Northside Church
Galatians teaches that believers are justified by Jesus alone. They are a part of a diverse family and equipped by the Spirit to love God and others. Galatians teaches that believers are justified by Jesus alone. They are a part of a diverse family and equipped by the Spirit to love God and others.
Galatians 6:11 ESV
Again, some people believe this was in reference to the size of the text due to Paul’s poor eyesight.
It does not appear to be in reference to the length of the letter.
Galatians 6:12 ESV
He is recapping the words of those who are trying to keep the LAW of circumcision, as a “good showing in the flesh.”
They worked to bring the Galatian Christians from a Gentile background under circumcision because it would be a good showing for them.
i. It doesn’t really mean anything, but it looks good.
ii. Paul here referred to the legalistic Christians among the Galatians and wrote frankly about their motive.
Due to the traditions, if they claimed salvation under Christ, and not the law, they feared persecution.
Galatians 6:13 ESV
Again, Paul speaks here about the motive.
Only to boast and brag about their own righteousness and good works.
Galatians 6:14 ESV
As he speaks of putting the works of the flesh to death, he says that he cannot “…to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”
If I crucify the flesh, then it is dead and nothing to brag about
Galatians 6:15 ESV
Paul here explains that the “good works” is not enough to save you.
Without doubt, Paul knew Christians had a moral standard to live by
i. See Galatians 5:19-21
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV
But what really mattered was not what we do in keeping the law, especially in its ceremonies, but what God has done in us — making us a new creation.
Whether circumcised or uncircumcised, it literally means nothing to God
Galatians 6:16 ESV
Just as Paul was willing to pronounce a curse on those who taught false doctrines (Galatians 1:8-9),
He was also willing to give a blessing to those who walk according to this rule.
Galatians 1:8-9 ESV
Galatians 6:17 ESV
Paul wrote as someone who had suffered for Jesus, and who bore those marks on his body.
Having suffered so, he can say from now on let no one trouble me, in the sense that it is fruitless for anyone to try, because he has already endured the worst.
Galatians 6:18 ESV
Paul could wish for nothing greater for the Galatians than this.
If this were so, they would walk in a grace relationship with God instead of the legal, performance-based relationship that endangered them so.
This is an appropriate end for the letter and prayer for all our lives.