GALATIANS 6:14-18 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
NSB* As a representative believer, Paul spoke of himself as crucified with Christ (2:20). In that decisive act, "the flesh with its passions and desires" (5:24) was also crucified as was the world with all of its continuing attractions (see 1 John 2:15-17).
Note reference: 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Forbid; to hinder, restrain, withhold, forbid" (akin to kolos, "docked, lopped, clipped"), is most usually translated "to forbid," often an inferior rendering to that of hindering or restraining, e.g., The phrase me genoito, lit., "let it not be" (me, negative, and ginomai, "to become"), is idiomatically translated "God forbid" in Luke 20:16; Romans 3:6, Romans 3:31; Romans 6:2, Romans 6:15; Romans 7:7, Romans 7:13; Romans 9:14; Romans 11:1, Romans 11:11; 1 Corinthians 6:15; Galatians 2:17; Galatians 3:21, and in the AV of Galatians 6:14; here the RV has "far be it from me (to glory)," which the American RV uses in the OT. In Paul's Epistles, it is almost entirely used to express the Apostle's repudiation of an inference which he apprehends may be drawn from his argument. The Greek word used here is κωλύωkoluo Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G2967
Forbid; to hinder, restrain, withhold, forbid" (akin to kolos, "docked, lopped, clipped"), is most usually translated "to forbid," often an inferior rendering to that of hindering or restraining, e.g., The phrase me genoito, lit., "let it not be" (me, negative, and ginomai, "to become"), is idiomatically translated "God forbid" in Luke 20:16; Romans 3:6, Romans 3:31; Romans 6:2, Romans 6:15; Romans 7:7, Romans 7:13; Romans 9:14; Romans 11:1, Romans 11:11; 1 Corinthians 6:15; Galatians 2:17; Galatians 3:21, and in the AV of Galatians 6:14; here the RV has "far be it from me (to glory)," which the American RV uses in the OT. In Paul's Epistles, it is almost entirely used to express the Apostle's repudiation of an inference which he apprehends may be drawn from his argument. The Greek word used here is κωλύωkoluo Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G2967
Boast; kauchaomai and its related words katakauchaomai, to glory or boast" and the nouns kauchesis and kauchema, translated "boast," and "boasting," in the AV, are always translated "glory," and "glorying" in the RV. The KJV renders this instance as the word "glory" instead of boast. The Greek word is καυχάομαι kauchaomai. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G2744
My notes - kauchaomai can be used in a good or bad sense. We never want to glory, boast, or brag about things that should be credited to someone else or that are sinful. However, giving glory to God or boasting in Him is a good use of the word because He is worthy of all glory.
My notes - kauchaomai can be used in a good or bad sense. We never want to glory, boast, or brag about things that should be credited to someone else or that are sinful. However, giving glory to God or boasting in Him is a good use of the word because He is worthy of all glory.
World; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally)). Dodson denotes - the world, universe, the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment. The Greek word used here κόσμος kosmos. Strong's G2889.
Crucified; See this study under crucified.
Cross Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—
Moving to verse 15.
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—
Moving to verse 15.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
NSB* - To a Christian under the new covenant, following the Abrahamic sign of circumcision (see Genesis 17:9-14) does not mean anything in terms of spirituality. What really matters is being a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Note References: Genesis 17:9-14 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Avails; I am strong, able. I have strength, am strong, am in full health and vigor, am able; meton: I prevail. The Greek word used here is ἰσχύω ischuō. Strong's G2480.
NSB* - To a Christian under the new covenant, following the Abrahamic sign of circumcision (see Genesis 17:9-14) does not mean anything in terms of spirituality. What really matters is being a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Note References: Genesis 17:9-14 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Avails; I am strong, able. I have strength, am strong, am in full health and vigor, am able; meton: I prevail. The Greek word used here is ἰσχύω ischuō. Strong's G2480.
See NSB* notes on the use in this instance.
Cross Reference: 1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
Moving to verse 16.
Moving to verse 16.
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
NSB* - As many as recalls the wording of v.12. Those who live according to the example of Christ and the new creation (vv. 14, 15) are in stark contrast with those desiring to make a good impression through circumcision and keeping the law (vv. 12, 13). The Israel of God probably refers to the remnant of believing Jews (see Romans 11:1, 2:7). They are Abraham's spiritual descendants (3:6-9) because they believe in God and rely on His grace.
Note references: Romans 11:1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
Rule; a rule ("canon"), i.e. (figuratively) a standard (of faith and practice); by implication, a boundary, i.e. (figuratively) a sphere (of activity) Derivation: from κάνη (a straight reed, i.e. rod); Dobson denotes - rule, regulation, province
Peace: peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual. The Greek word used here is εἰρήνη eirēnē. Strong's G1515
NSB* - As many as recalls the wording of v.12. Those who live according to the example of Christ and the new creation (vv. 14, 15) are in stark contrast with those desiring to make a good impression through circumcision and keeping the law (vv. 12, 13). The Israel of God probably refers to the remnant of believing Jews (see Romans 11:1, 2:7). They are Abraham's spiritual descendants (3:6-9) because they believe in God and rely on His grace.
Note references: Romans 11:1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
Rule; a rule ("canon"), i.e. (figuratively) a standard (of faith and practice); by implication, a boundary, i.e. (figuratively) a sphere (of activity) Derivation: from κάνη (a straight reed, i.e. rod); Dobson denotes - rule, regulation, province
(lit: a level, ruler), a rule, regulation, rule of conduct or doctrine, (b) a measured (defined) area, province. The Greek word used here is κανών kanōn. Strong's G2583.
Peace: peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual. The Greek word used here is εἰρήνη eirēnē. Strong's G1515
Mercy; compassion (human or divine, especially active). Thayer expands - 1) mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them 1a) of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one's self merciful 1b) of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ
1c) the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life. The Greek word used here is ἔλεος eleos.
Moving to verses 17 and 18.
Moving to verses 17 and 18.
Galatians 17:18 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
NSB* Paul's physical body carried the hard evidence of his allegiance to the Lord Jesus, the marks of harsh persecution (see 2 Cor. 11:23-26) suffered for preaching the gospel. Paul's scars branded him as a slave for Christ (Romans 1:1). Such marks outweighed the "mark" of circumcision so valued by the false teachers at Galatia (vv. 12-15).
Paul ends his letter to the Galatians as he began (see 1:3), highlighting the theme of his entire letter: that is is only by God's grace that we are saved.
Note Reference: 2 Corinthians 11:23-26 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Trouble; denotes "to work out with toil," hence, "to be sore troubled." The meaning is to embarrass a person by distracting his attention, or to give occasion for anxiety. In the last passage, the Apostle expresses his determination not to allow the Judaizing teachers to distract him any further. Strong's defines it as a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains. The Greek word used here is διαπονέω diaponeo Vine's (def B-13), Strong's G1278.
Paul ends his letter to the Galatians as he began (see 1:3), highlighting the theme of his entire letter: that is is only by God's grace that we are saved.
Note Reference: 2 Corinthians 11:23-26 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Trouble; denotes "to work out with toil," hence, "to be sore troubled." The meaning is to embarrass a person by distracting his attention, or to give occasion for anxiety. In the last passage, the Apostle expresses his determination not to allow the Judaizing teachers to distract him any further. Strong's defines it as a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains. The Greek word used here is διαπονέω diaponeo Vine's (def B-13), Strong's G1278.
Marks; denotes "a tattooed mark" or "a mark burnt in, a brand" (akin to stizo, "to prick"), translated "marks" in Galatians 6:17. "It is probable that the Apostle refers to the physical sufferings he had endured since he began to proclaim Jesus as Messiah and Lord [e.g., at Lystra and Philippi]. It is probable, too, that this reference to his scars was intended to set off the insistence of the Judaizers upon a body-mark which cost them nothing. Over against the circumcision they demanded as a proof of obedience to the law he set the indelible tokens, sustained in his own body, of his loyalty to the Lord Jesus. As to the origin of the figure, it was indeed customary for a master to brand his slaves, but this language does not suggest that the Apostle had been branded by His Master. Soldiers and criminals also were branded on occasion, but to neither of these is the case of Paul as here described analogous. The religious devotee branded himself with the peculiar mark of the god whose cult he affected; so was Paul branded with the marks of his devotion to the Lord Jesus. It is true such markings were forbidden by the law, Leviticus 19:28, but then Paul had not inflicted these on himself. The Greek word used here is στίγμα stigma. Vine's (def 2), Strong's G4742.
Takeaway: Under the new covenant, those living according to the example of Christ by faith are those who glorify God.
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