Galatians 6:11-18
Final Warning and Benediction
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
In Paul’s closing remarks, instead of referring to the churches of Galatia affectionately or boastfully for their zeal in Christ, the Apostle chose a subtitle and an indirect way to inform them how important his letter should be to them. Rebuking and correcting someone is difficult, especially when it comes to rebuking one who is relationally significant. Paul is the spiritual father of this church, and we can only assume his desire was to see their faith in Christ grow and flourish. However, in this book to the Galatian churches, as we have seen, is different. The only other church that Paul had contentions with was the Church in Corinth because he had to write them a “painful letter.” There was a great sexual sin in that church that had to stop! The Corinthian church did repent of their sin and made amends to all of Paul’s instructions for them. There is no evidence that the churches in Galatian repented. Nevertheless, the Apostel opened and closed his letter to them in a noticeably different way. For example, when he opened his letter, Paul’s typical thanksgiving clause is omitted. This is where Paul would normally thank God and recognize the love he has for these churches because of their Christlike zeal or character. For example, Paul told the church in Thessalonica, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). And in Paul’s closing of his letter to the Thessalonians, three times Paul called them, “brothers” (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 14, and 25), but no mention of any filial relationship or affections in Paul’s closing remarks to the churches in Galatia. The absence of Paul’s affection is loud and clear to the readers of Galatians.
However, Paul does conclude with a big warning that they should understand. Paul tells them that he is writing this letter to them by himself, in his own handwriting. The New Testament writers normally use an amanuensis, which is one that would normally provide artistic style and dictation. This was also done in the Old Testament when Baruch wrote down all the words that the prophet Jeremiah told him to write. Matthew Henry said, “…seems as if he intended here to have put an end to the epistle, especially when he had acquainted them that, as a particular mark of his respect for them, he had written this large letter with his own hand, and had not made use of another as his amanuensis, and only subscribed his name to it, as he was wont to do in his other epistles.”
As Paul concludes, he summarizes his theological positions and states again that submitting to circumcision has no benefit to the believer. Circumcision is an old covenant practice under the law. Yet, now in Christ, a new covenant of grace has replaced the old. Relying on circumcision is not a sign of faith. The signs or evidence of faith, as Paul described in Galatians 5, are the fruits of the Spirit. One who has the Spirit should live by the Spirit. The righteous shall live by faith! Therefore, no one should boast in their circumcision, but in the cross of Christ. The cross and the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, saves us from the wrath of God because of our sins. All sins must be punished and destroyed. Jesus Christ did this on the cross on Calvary’s hill for those who believe and trust in Him. Therefore, do not boast in circumcision, which is your works of righteousness. Nor should you trust and boast in your feelings. In Luke 10, the disciples of Christ came to Him and told them that even they were able to cast out evil and demonic spirits. Jesus responded and said to His disciples, ‘Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”’ Boasting in the cross of Jesus Christ is what we as followers of Christ should do. Without Christ and His atonement for sin on the cross, there is no remission for sins. If no death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, then our faith is in vain.
Also in verse 6:16, those who do this (boasting in the cross and not in their works of righteousness), will have peace and mercy upon themselves and upon the church of Christ. This, the believers and the church (or Israel as stated in the text), goes hand-in-hand because God created us to be relational. When we are blessed, the church is blessed. In the same way, when we strive for peace, not only will we experience peace, but His church will also have the sweet peace of Christ as well. The church is a home for sinful and erroring people growing to become more like Christ. We do this when we repent and confess our sins. For example, I do not like any chaos in my life. Some families are so dysfunctional in their relationships with others, that they rather live in chaos than have peace and mercy. In destructive relationships, chaos seems to sabotage the credulity of others so you, the one who is causing chaos, will not be expected. Paul introduced this Book to the Galatians by telling them that he was amazed that they so quickly went to another gospel that was not a gospel; and that some came in to cause trouble and distort the truth. O, that God protects us from troublemakers. God forbid if this happens in His church or in our families. Give us peace and mercy, Lord God.
Instead, they must not be conceited, provoking others to anger, and causing chaos. In doing this, they are to boast in Christ alone! And, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with them. This is Paul’s signature style when he concludes his letters to churches. His desire is that the grace of God be with them. Now they have read the letter; therefore, they need the grace of God so they can go and live out these words of God. To do this, the churches of Galatia need to read the word of God and with the power of the Spirit of God, they will be changed forever, into the image of God, which is Jesus Christ the Lord.
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God of all mercies and peace, I confess that I am troubled because of sin. Help to hate my sin and snatch others as if they are in hell’s fire. Jesus, help me to be more holy. Help me to see my own depravity and the goodness and omnipotence of You. Help to glory in the cross! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
><> ><> GOSPEL SONG <>< <><
I Will Glory in the Cross by Dotttie Rambo,
