Galatians 6

10. Translate, "So then, according as (that is, in proportion as) we have season (that is, opportunity), let us work (a distinct Greek verb from that for "do," in Galatians 6:9 ) that which is (in each case) good." As thou art able, and while thou art able, and when thou art able ( Ecclesiastes 9:10 ). We have now the "season" for sowing, as also there will be hereafter the "due season" ( Galatians 6:9 ) for reaping. The whole life is, in one sense, the "seasonable opportunity" to us: and, in a narrower sense, there occur in it more especially convenient seasons. The latter are sometimes lost in looking for still more convenient seasons ( Acts 24:25 ). We shall not always have the opportunity "we have" now. Satan is sharpened to the greater zeal in injuring us, by the shortness of his time ( Revelation 12:12 ). Let us be sharpened to the greater zeal in well-doing by the shortness of ours.
them who are of the household--Every right-minded man does well to the members of his own family ( 1 Timothy 5:8 ); so believers are to do to those of the household of faith, that is, those whom faith has made members of "the household of God" ( Ephesians 2:19 ): "the house of God" ( 1 Timothy 3:15 , 1 Peter 4:17 ).

11. Rather, "See in how large letters I have written." The Greek is translated "how great" in Hebrews 7:4 , the only other passage where it occurs in the New Testament. Owing to his weakness of eyes ( Galatians 4:15 ) he wrote in large letters. So JEROME. All the oldest manuscripts are written in uncial, that is, capital letters, the "cursive," or small letters, being of more recent date. Paul seems to have had a difficulty in writing, which led him to make the uncial letters larger than ordinary writers did. The mention of these is as a token by which they would know that he wrote the whole Epistle with his own hand; as he did also the pastoral Epistle, which this Epistle resembles in style. He usually dictated his Epistles to an amanuensis, excepting the concluding salutation, which he wrote himself ( Romans 16:22 , 1 Corinthians 16:21 ). This letter, he tells the Galatians, he writes with his own hand, no doubt in order that they may see what a regard he had for them, in contrast to the Judaizing teachers ( Galatians 6:12 ), who sought only their own ease. If English Version be retained, the words, "how large a letter (literally, 'in how large letters')," will not refer to the length of the Epistle absolutely, but that it was a large one for him to have written with his own hand. NEANDER supports English Version, as more appropriate to the earnestness of the apostle and the tone of the Epistle: "How large" will thus be put for "how many."

12. Contrast between his zeal in their behalf, implied in Galatians 6:11 , and the zeal for self on the part of the Judaizers.
make a fair show--( 2 Corinthians 5:12 ).
in the flesh--in outward things.
they--it is "these" who
constrain you--by example ( Galatians 6:13 ) and importuning.
only lest--"only that they may not," &c. (compare Galatians 5:11 ).
suffer persecution--They escaped in a great degree the Jews' bitterness against Christianity and the offense of the cross of Christ, by making the Mosaic law a necessary preliminary; in fact, making Christian converts into Jewish proselytes.

13. Translate, "For not even do they who submit to circumcision, keep the law themselves ( Romans 2:17-23 ), but they wish you (emphatical) to be circumcised," &c. They arbitrarily selected circumcision out of the whole law, as though observing it would stand instead of their non-observance of the rest of the law.
that they may glory in your flesh--namely, in the outward change (opposed to an inward change wrought by the SPIRIT) which they have effected in bringing you over to their own Jewish-Christian party.

14. Translate, "But as for me (in opposition to those gloriers 'in your flesh,' Galatians 6:13 ), God forbid that I," &c.
in the cross--the atoning death on the cross. Compare Philippians 3:3 Philippians 3:7 Philippians 3:8 , as a specimen of his glorying. The "cross," the great object of shame to them, and to all carnal men, is the great object of glorying to me. For by it, the worst of deaths, Christ has destroyed all kinds of death [AUGUSTINE, Tract 36, on John, sec. 4]. We are to testify the power of Christ's death working in us, after the manner of crucifixion ( Galatians 5:24 , Romans 6:5 Romans 6:6 ).
our--He reminds the Galatians by this pronoun, that they had a share in the "Lord Jesus Christ" (the full name is used for greater solemnity), and therefore ought to glory in Christ's cross, as he did.
the world--inseparably allied to the "flesh" ( Galatians 6:13 ). Legal and fleshly ordinances are merely outward, and "elements of the world" ( Galatians 4:3 ).
is--rather, as Greek, "has been crucified to me" ( Galatians 2:20 ). He used "crucified" for dead ( Colossians 2:20 , "dead with Christ"), to imply his oneness with Christ crucified ( Philippians 3:10 ): "the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death."

15. availeth--The oldest manuscripts read, "is" (compare Galatians 5:6 ). Not only are they of no avail, but they are nothing. So far are they from being matter for "glorying," that they are "nothing." But Christ's cross is "all in all," as a subject for glorying, in "the new creature" ( Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:15 Ephesians 2:16 ).
new creature--( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). A transformation by the renewal of the mind ( Romans 12:2 ).

16. as many--contrasting with the "as many," Galatians 6:12 .
rule--literally, a straight rule, to detect crookedness; so a rule of life.
peace--from God ( Ephesians 2:14-17 , 6:23 ).
mercy--( Romans 15:9 ).
Israel of God--not the Israel after the flesh, among whom those teachers wish to enrol you; but the spiritual seed of Abraham by faith ( Galatians 3:9 Galatians 3:29 , Romans 2:28 Romans 2:29 , Philippians 3:3 ).

17. let no man trouble me--by opposing my apostolic authority, seeing that it is stamped by a sure seal, namely, "I (in contrast to the Judaizing teachers who gloried in the flesh) bear (as a high mark of honor from the King of kings)."
the marks--properly, marks branded on slaves to indicate their owners. So Paul's scars of wounds received for Christ's sake, indicate to whom he belongs, and in whose free and glorious service he is ( 2 Corinthians 11:23-25 ). The Judaizing teachers gloried in the circumcision mark in the flesh of their followers: Paul glories in the marks of suffering for Christ on his own body (compare Galatians 6:14 , Philippians 3:10 , Colossians 1:24 ).
the Lord--omitted in the oldest manuscripts.

18. Brethren--Place it, as Greek, "last" in the sentence, before the "Amen." After much rebuke and monition, he bids them farewell with the loving expression of brotherhood as his last parting word
be with your spirit--which, I trust, will keep down the flesh ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23 , 2 Timothy 4:22 , Philemon 1: Philemon 1:25 ).