Commentary on Galatians (53)
Posted by Vincent Cheung on September 14, 2007GALATIANS 6:11-18
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly 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 obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 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. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Paul has been writing through an amanuensis. But at this point he takes the pen from his scribe, and brings the letter to a close. As he does so, he wishes to show his sincerity and strength of conviction. He pens the conclusion of the letter with his own hand, writing in large letters. And in verse 17, he writes, "Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." He is certain about and committed to his message, declaring in large letters (as if in a strong and emphatic voice), that he has the scars to prove it.
In comparison, the Judaizers are insincere and weak. They wish to make a good impression, to avoid persecution due to the offense of the cross of Christ, and to boast in the disciples that they gather for themselves, and whom they made to receive circumcision. But while they make so much noise about circumcision, they themselves do not obey the law. But Paul would boast only in the work of Christ.
Verse 15 echoes what he says earlier in 5:6. In both places he says that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. In 5:6, he says that it is rather "faith expressing itself through love" that counts, and here it is a "new creation." A benediction falls on "all who follow this rule, even the Israel of God." Those who disregard circumcision or uncircumcision, but rather emphasize faith and a new creation are, of course, those who affirm justification by faith in Christ, or the Christians. In other words, the Church alone is the true Israel of God. The rest, whether Jew or non-Jew, are excluded and assigned to the outer darkness.