Paul is concluding his letter to the Galatians, and here, he shifts to a deeply personal tone, saying, "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!" (Galatians 6:11). This is Paul taking the pen from his scribe, emphasizing the gravity and personal investment in his message.
This is Paul being raw and real. The size of the letters, possibly because of his poor eyesight or maybe just his emphasis, signifies how much this message matters to him.
Paul wants his final words to hit home. After all the theological and pastoral arguments, he's essentially saying, "Pay attention. This is crucial." And what is crucial? It's what he's about to summarize—the essence of his whole letter in these few final verses.
The Heart of the Conflict
In verses 12-13, Paul describes the motivation of the false teachers. These individuals are pressuring Gentile believers to undergo circumcision, not out of spiritual concern but for personal gain—boasting in the flesh to avoid persecution and gain social approval.
Galatians 6:12–13 (NIV)
“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. 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.”
Imagine a social media influencer obsessed with getting more likes and followers, but they do so by promoting an image of themselves that isn't authentic. This is what the Judaizers are doing. They want numbers, conversions, and outward signs (like circumcision) so they can boast about their influence and avoid conflict with Jewish authorities.
Paul is pointing out the shallowness and hypocrisy of these teachers. Their focus is on the external, outward signs rather than the internal transformation that truly matters in the Kingdom of God.
Boasting in the Cross
Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Paul is flipping the cultural understanding of power and honor on its head. In Paul's day, the cross was a symbol of shame and defeat. Boasting in the cross would have been scandalous. It's like saying, "I boast in the gallows."
But for Paul, the cross is the ultimate symbol of God's victory and love. It's through the cross that Jesus defeated sin and death. In the Roman world, boasting was everything—people boasted in their wealth, status, and achievements. But Paul boasts in none of those. He boasts in the cross, the ultimate reversal of worldly power.
A Deeper Dive:
Let's break down the word boast in Greek: the word here is kaucháomai, which means to "exult" or "take pride in." Paul is not talking about some quiet, humble acknowledgment of the cross. No—he's saying he exults in it. His whole identity and pride are wrapped up in what Christ did on the cross. This is radical because the cross isn't just about Jesus; it's about what it represents for Paul and for us: a total dying to the world's values and systems.
Think about what people boast in today—careers, accomplishments, reputations. Paul is asking us, "What do you boast in? What's your source of pride? If it's anything other than the cross of Christ, you're missing the point.”
New Creation
Galatians 6:15 (NIV)
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.”
Paul brings it all back to this—externals don't matter. Whether you're circumcised or not, whether you follow Jewish customs or not, none of that is significant. What matters is being part of the new creation in Christ.
The phrase new creation (Greek: kainḗ ktísis) refers to something totally unprecedented. This isn't just a moral improvement or a second chance. This is God doing something completely new—through Christ, He is bringing about a new humanity, a new way of being in the world.
This connects back to 2 Corinthians 5:17—"If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" It's about the inward transformation brought by the Spirit, which is the whole point of Paul's message to the Galatians: You don't need to add anything to what Christ has done. The Spirit is creating something new in you!
Picture a renovation show—an old, run-down house stripped down to the studs and completely rebuilt. That's the new creation. It's not a patch job. It's a complete, transformative rebuild.
Crucified to the World
When Paul says, "the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world," he's drawing a hard line between himself and the values of the world. For Paul, the world here isn't just about the physical earth. It's about the world's systems, values, and power structures. To Paul, these things are now dead to him because of the cross.
Paul sees himself as belonging to a different realm—a different kingdom where the rules are entirely upside-down. Where strength is found in weakness, and life comes through death.
When we talk about being "crucified to the world," we're talking about a total reorientation of values. What the world considers powerful and important—money, status, influence—no longer has a hold on us.
How does being "crucified to the world" challenge the way we live in our modern context? Where are we still entangled in the world's values?
Peace and Mercy
Galatians 6:16 (NIV)
“Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.”
This is one of the few times Paul uses the phrase "Israel of God," and he's likely referring to the idea that God's true people are not defined by ethnicity or adherence to the law but by faith in Christ. The new creation is the mark of God's people, not circumcision.
For Paul, the church is the continuation of God's covenant people—redefined, not by nationality or religious observance, but by faith in Jesus and the transforming work of the Spirit. The rule that brings peace and mercy is living in line with this new reality.
Paul's Final Plea
Galatians 6:17 (NIV)
“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Paul is tired of the opposition and controversy stirred by the false teachers. He bears the stigmata—the scars and wounds of his persecution for Christ. Paul contrasts the external marks of circumcision with the marks of suffering for the sake of the gospel.
Today, this would be like someone saying, "I've paid the price for following Jesus. I've suffered for the sake of the gospel, and I have the scars to prove it."
Paul's Benediction
Galatians 6:18 (NIV)
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.”
After everything—after all the theological wrestling, rebuke, and encouragement—Paul ends with grace. It's like a deep exhale. Grace is what he's been trying to drive home throughout this whole letter. You don't earn it. You don't work for it. It's God's gift through Christ, and it's what sustains us in this new creation.
Crossing The Context
Paul's letter to the Galatians can be boiled down to this: the only thing that counts is the new creation. It's not about law-keeping, external rituals, or boasting in our own achievements. It's about the radical transformation brought by the Spirit through Christ. It's about living in the reality of the cross, where the world's values are turned upside-down and where God is making all things new.
A Challenge:
As we leave this study of Galatians, ask yourself: What are you boasting in? What values are shaping your life? Are you living as part of the new creation, or are you still entangled in the old world's way of thinking?
Notes:
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from: ”Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Recommended Resources:
BibleProject, Galatians Overview Video
Comments