Galatians 6:11-16

Please read the passage first.

The theme of Galatians 6:11-16 is that of offering a postscript or summary, adapting the closing to a refutation of his opponents.

Tolmie says the Paul now adapts the conclusion to his rhetorical purpose in this letter, that of persuading the Galatians to his gospel.

Galatians 6:11-16 is a summary. Paul closes his letter by reasserting that circumcision is not necessary for conversion to Christian faith (Galatians 5:2-12), and making the obvious metaphorical connection between "works of the flesh" and the literal physical mutilation of flesh of which circumcision consists.

Verse 11 has long fascinated commentators and casual readers alike. At this point in the original letter, Paul stopped dictating to his secretary and wrote the last section in his own hand.

The danger, as he sees it, is that there are some “who want to make a good showing in the flesh.” Though they think they are “something,” in reality, they are “nothing.” Moreover, they “try to compel the community to be circumcised — only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ” (v. 12). His opponents have a primary interest in making a mark on the flesh, while Paul has an interest in the inward work of the Spirit and that Christ formed in them. They are — to use Paul’s previous descriptors — people who rather than bearing “one another’s burden,” add to it, “deceive themselves,” fail to “test their own work,” and do not “carry their own loads.”  Paul's opponents were selfish and worldly.  Not willing to suffer, they held on to circumcision and zeal for the law while having Jesus as their Messiah.  The cross of Christ and the flesh are opposed, as faith and works.

In verse 13, the allusion here is not to the impossibility of observing the Law, but to the insincerity of the people themselves, who were not enough in earnest to observe it rigorously. 

In verse 14, the offense of the cross is Paul's greatest boast.  Paul will let others boast in external things, but he will boast in something nobler. F. F. Bruce says it is difficult for us to imagine the loathing that people had of speaking of the cross in the time of Paul. Not even Romans spoke of it in polite society. Paul, however, embraces the cross. This is a transvaluation of values. Paul has reassessed everything in light of the cross.

In verse 15, it is striking that Paul twice says in this letter that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision are anything in themselves.

In verse 16, "Israel of God" is an implied contrast to "Israel after the flesh."  We find the phrase only here in the New Testament.

With this blessing, Paul demonstrates one way believers “work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.”