Galatians 6:11

11 See how long a letter I have written to you with my own hand.

Galatians 6:11 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 6:11

Ye see how large a letter
Whether it be read as imperative, "see ye", observe, take notice; or as indicative, "ye see", ye do see, or you may see with your own eyes, it is of no great consequence: "how large a letter", or "with what letters"; which some understand of the largeness of the characters he wrote in; others of the deformity of them, he not writing a good hand, being an Hebrew, and not used to writing Greek; others of the grand and sublime matter which it contained; though neither of these seem to be the apostle's meaning; but he intends the length of the epistle, the prolixity of his writing; and which he mentions, as an instance and expression of his love to then, care of them, and concern for them: inasmuch as he took so much pains to write so long a letter to them, in order to set things right in their view, and recover them from error: not but that he had sent as long, or longer letters to other churches, as to the Romans, the Corinthians, and Hebrews: but then it is to be observed what follows,

I have written unto you with my own hand.
The epistle to the Romans was written by Tertius, though dictated by the apostle, ( Romans 16:22 ) as very likely the others were by Timothy, or some other amanuensis. The apostle only put his name, and wrote his salutation, which was his token, in all his epistles, of the truth and genuineness of them; ( 2 Thessalonians 3:17 ) , but this was not only dictated by him, but wrote with his hand, which very probably the Galatians knew; and since it was not usual for him to do so, it was the greater proof of his affection for them; that amidst so much work, and such labours as he was employed in, he should sit down and write so long an epistle to them with his own hand, in order to expose the errors of the false teachers, and reclaim them.

Galatians 6:11 In-Context

9 but let us not lose heart in doing good; for in due time, if we do not faint, we shall reap.
10 So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.
11 See how long a letter I have written to you with my own hand.
12 As many as desire to have a fair appearance in [the] flesh, these compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted because of the cross of Christ.
13 For neither do they that are circumcised themselves keep the law; but they wish you to be circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or perhaps 'in what large letters.' It was long for the apostle to write with his own hand, as he generally dictated to another.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.