GALATIANS 6:11-13 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
NSB* - Probably here, Paul began to write with his own hand after having, up to now, dictated the letter to a secretary. His reference to large letters in light of the wording of 4:13-14 implies that Paul had problems with his eyesight or was even partially blind. Paul commonly ended his letters with personal greetings (see Thessalonians 3:17)
Written; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe. Vine's notes - where the Apostle speaks of his having "written" with large letters in his own hand, which not improbably means that at this point he took the pen from his amanuensis and finished the Epistle himself; this is not negatived by the fact that the verb is in the aorist or past definite tense, lit., "I wrote," for in Greek idiom the writer of a letter put himself beside the reader and spoke of it as having been "written" in the past; in Eng. we should say "I am writing," taking our point of view from the time at which we are doing it; The Greek word used here is γράφω graphō. Vine's (def A-1a), Strong's G1125.
Hand; Thayer denotes - 1) by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one 2) fig. applied to God symbolising his might, activity, power 2a) in creating the universe 2b) in upholding and preserving (God is present protecting and aiding one) 2c) in punishing 2d) in determining and controlling the destinies of men.
Moving to Verse 12.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
NSB* - a good showing: The Judaizers were trying to appear spiritual by becoming circumcised and demanding that others become circumcised (5:2-12). Persecution: By teaching that all Christians should become circumcised, the Judaizers were trying to make Christianity into a sect of Judaism. This would have two advantages. First, they could counter the persecution that they suffered from zealous Jews. Second, they could include themselves with the officially sanctioned religion of the Roman Empire, Judaism.
It is important to note that the KJV reads as follows.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Desire; or ἐθέλω, in certain tenses θελέω, and ἐθελέω, which are otherwise obsolete to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in. Dodson denotes - I will, wish, desire I will, wish, desire, am willing, intend, design. The Greek word used here is θέλω thelō or ἐθέλω ethelō. Both words can be used and will be accurate. Strong's G2309.
Showing; The KJV used the word shew, which Dodson defines as I make a fair outward appearance. I look well, make a fair show (a good outward appearance, and so win good opinion). Strong's defines it as to be of good countenance, i.e., (figuratively) to make a display.
Compel; Here, the KJV uses the word constrain. Thayer defines contain as 1) to necessitate, compel, drive to, constrain 1a) by force, threats, etc. 1b) by permission, entreaties, etc. 1c) by other means. The Greek word is ἀναγκάζω anagkazō. Strong's G315.
Moving to Verse 13.
Galatians 6:13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
NSB* - Even the Judaizers who advocated the Galatians' circumcision did not really keep the entire law. They knew they were required to do so (3:10-12), but were unable to ultimately fulfill all of the requirements (see Romans 3:23). Still, they attempted to persuade the Galatians to be circumcised so that they could boast about having them as their followers.
Boast; Here again, the KJV renders a different word; they use "glory". 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". My notes - you have two different kinds of glorying out there, "vaingloring" and "valid glorying". Strong's defines it as to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense). The Greek word used here is καυχάομαι kauchaomai. Vine's (def A-1 under boast or glory), Strong's G2744.
Takeaway: I was talking with my mom a few weeks ago and mentioned to her this part of Galatians, where Paul is largely addressing the Judaizers, and that I hadn't run into much of that in my adventures, but she pointed out that it didn't mean it wasn't applicable for us. Today, there are all kinds of things and all kinds of forces trying to pull Christians from the gospel of Christ to some other law, to some other creed. Some other step 1, step 2, step 3,789 to enlightenment or salvation. Those things will never save you. We must seek Christ first through the Holy Spirit. Salvation ought to result in works, works do not get you salvation.
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