Galatians 6:11

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

Galatians 6:11 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 NOTICE WHAT LARGE LETTERS I USE AS I WRITE THESE CLOSING WORDS IN MY OWN HANDWRITING.
The Message Bible (MSG)
11 Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
11 See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
11 Look at how large the letters [in these words] are because I'm writing this myself.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11 Look at what large letters I have written to you in my own handwriting.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
11 Look at the big letters I'm using as I write 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 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S 1 Corinthians 16:21
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