Galatians 6 Study Notes

6:11 Paul had dictated the earlier part of the letter to an unnamed amanuensis, or secretary, and now he added a postscript in his own handwriting. Some believe that the oversized letters (large letters) indicate that Paul was having problems with his eyesight (see note at 4:14-15). See also 1Co 16:21; Col 4:18; 2Th 3:17; Phm 19.

6:12-13 The Jewish teachers who were compelling the Galatians to be circumcised were doing so for appearance’s sake and to avoid being persecuted by unbelieving Jews for the cross of Christ, as Paul had been (Ac 14:19). They had no basis for boasting since they could not keep the law themselves (see note at 3:10).

6:14-15 The only basis for believers to boast is in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, which makes each of us a new creation (see 2Co 5:17). On the world has been crucified to me, see notes at 2:19-20; 5:24-26 (cp. 1Jn 2:15-17). On both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing, see Gl 5:6; 1Co 7:19.

6:16 The Israel of God may mean: (1) the Gentile church, which through faith has inherited the promise God gave to Abraham (3:29) or (2) more likely, the “remnant” of believing Israel “chosen by grace” (Rm 11:5), as opposed to the “false brothers” among the Jews (Gl 2:4), who were seeking to be justified by “the works of the law” (2:16).

6:17 Paul asked that this letter put an end to the trouble he had been facing because of standing against justification by the works of the law and for justification by faith (2:16). Paul’s scars were from injuries he had received through persecution (Ac 14:19; 2Co 11:23-25). He considered these far more significant than the “mark” of circumcision (Gl 6:12-13,15).

6:18 Paul ended Galatians on the same note with which he began—grace (see note at 1:3). It is also significant that in Paul’s last sentence he addresses the Galatians as brothers and sisters. Although they have been tempted by “another gospel” (Gl 1:7), Paul ends this letter in the hope that they remain brothers and sisters.