Final Appeal and Boast in the Cross
Galatians 6:11-18
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Gal.6.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ιδετε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- πηλικοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- γραμμασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- εγραψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εμη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- χειρι: NOUN,dat,sg,fem
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 16:21 (verbal): Paul closes by stating he writes with his own hand—an explicit personal signature/authentication like Gal. 6:11.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:17 (verbal): Paul again emphasizes that he writes with his own hand and calls this his sign in every letter, closely paralleling the claim in Galatians.
- Colossians 4:18 (verbal): Paul writes a similar closing formula ('I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand'), using his personal handwriting to authenticate the letter.
- Philemon 1:19 (verbal): Paul explicitly states he wrote with his own hand—another instance of the personal, forensic autographal note found in Gal. 6:11.
- Romans 16:22 (structural): The amanuensis Tertius identifies himself as the one who wrote the letter, providing a contrasting instance of secretarial composition against which Paul's own-hand assertions (e.g., Gal. 6:11) are set.
Alternative generated candidates
- See with what large letters I am writing to you with my very own hand.
- Observe with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Gal.6.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οσοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- θελουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ευπροσωπησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ουτοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- αναγκαζουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- περιτεμνεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- μονον: ADV
- ινα: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σταυρω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μη: PART
- διωκωνται·: VERB,pres,pass,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- Galatians 5:11 (verbal): Paul uses the same issue of preaching/persecution and circumcision—if he preached circumcision the offense of the cross would be removed; closely parallels the motive and language here.
- Galatians 6:13 (verbal): Immediate context: accuses the same opponents of not keeping the law themselves and compelling circumcision so they can boast in the flesh—nearly identical vocabulary and argument.
- Acts 15:1 (thematic): Describes Judaizing visitors insisting that Gentile converts be circumcised—same controversy over compelling circumcision and church response.
- Philippians 3:2-4 (thematic): Paul warns against those who put confidence in the flesh and calls them 'mutilators'—connects the idea of boasting in the flesh and false confidence tied to circumcision.
- Romans 2:28-29 (thematic): Contrasts outward, fleshly circumcision with true inward circumcision of the heart—provides theological counterpoint to those who seek external boasting.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
- Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh press you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Gal.6.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- γαρ: PART
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- περιτεμνομενοι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φυλασσουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- θελουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- περιτεμνεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- υμετερα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- καυχησωνται: VERB,pres,mid,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- Galatians 5:2-4 (verbal): Paul similarly warns that if you accept circumcision Christ will be of no advantage and you are obligated to keep the whole law — ties the practice to bondage and loss of Christ.
- Romans 2:28-29 (thematic): Contrasts outward, physical circumcision with true, inward circumcision of the heart — challenges the value of mere fleshly boasting.
- Philippians 3:2-3 (verbal): Paul warns to 'beware of the dogs' and insists true circumcision is worship in spirit, not confidence in the flesh — echoes disdain for boasting in physical circumcision.
- Acts 15:1 (structural): Describes the Judaizers who insisted Gentile converts be circumcised — provides the historical/narrative background for the Galatian conflict.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (thematic): Speaks of false apostles who disguise themselves and seek to deceive; relates to opponents' ulterior motives (boasting, gaining converts) behind insisting on circumcision.
Alternative generated candidates
- For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
- For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law; yet they desire you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Gal.6.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- γενοιτο: VERB,aor,opt,mid,3,sg
- καυχασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σταυρω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δι᾽ου: PREP+REL,gen,sg,m
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- κοσμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εσταυρωται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- κοσμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Cor 1:18 (thematic): The cross is central: the message/power of Christ crucified contrasts with worldly wisdom, echoing boast only in the cross.
- 1 Cor 2:2 (verbal): Paul's deliberate focus on 'Jesus Christ, and him crucified' parallels the exclusive ground for boasting in Gal.6:14.
- Gal 2:20 (structural): Speaks of being 'crucified with Christ' and living by Christ—closely related to the mutual crucifixion of Paul and the world in Gal.6:14.
- Rom 6:6 (thematic): Union with Christ's death ('our old self was crucified with him') parallels the motif of decisive death to the world in Galatians.
- Gal 5:24 (verbal): Believers 'have crucified the flesh'—a close verbal/thematic echo of being crucified to the world in Gal.6:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- May it never be that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
- But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
Gal.6.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτε: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- περιτομη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ουτε: CONJ
- ακροβυστια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- καινη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- κτισις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Galatians 5:6 (verbal): Same argument earlier in Galatians: 'neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts'—faith working through love, not ritual status, is decisive.
- 1 Corinthians 7:19 (verbal): Very similar wording: 'Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing'—emphasizes that physical rite is not the determining factor in Christian identity.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (verbal): Direct parallel to 'new creation' language: in Christ one becomes a new creation, which reframes identity beyond ritual markers.
- Romans 2:28-29 (thematic): Contrasts external, physical circumcision with true, inward 'circumcision of the heart'—connects the idea that true status before God is inward/spiritual rather than external.
- Colossians 2:11 (thematic): Speaks of a 'circumcision made without hands' (spiritual circumcision) in Christ—links the abolition of external ritual to a transformed, inward reality.
Alternative generated candidates
- For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what matters is a new creation.
- For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Gal.6.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οσοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κανονι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- στοιχησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- επ᾽αυτους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ελεος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (verbal): Paul's phrase 'new creation' in Galatians 6:15 ('neither circumcision... new creation') echoes 2 Cor 5:17's language and theology about identity in Christ.
- Galatians 5:16 (verbal): The exhortation to 'walk by this rule' parallels Gal 5:16's 'walk by the Spirit'—Paul's consistent use of 'walk' (περιπατέω) to describe ethical/communal conduct.
- Romans 11:26-27 (thematic): The designation 'the Israel of God' in Gal 6:16 resonates with Paul's concern for Israel's place in God's plan and the promised restoration and mercy spoken of in Romans 11.
- 2 Timothy 1:2 (verbal): The pairing of 'peace' and 'mercy' in Gal 6:16 parallels Pauline benedictions such as 2 Tim 1:2 ('grace, mercy, and peace'), reflecting common salutary language.
- Jude 1:2 (structural): Jude's benediction ('mercy unto you, and peace, and love') shares the same greeting elements and structural form as Gal 6:16's blessing of 'peace and mercy,' showing a common early Christian salutation tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- And as many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
- And as many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Gal.6.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Του: ART,nom,sg,n
- λοιπου: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- κοπους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- μηδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- παρεχετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- γαρ: PART
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- στιγματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- σωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- βασταζω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (verbal): Paul speaks of 'always carrying in the body the death of Jesus' (Greek: μεταφέροντες ἐν τῷ σώματι τὸν θάνατον τοῦ Ἰησοῦ), closely echoing Gal. 6:17's image of bearing Jesus' marks in his body.
- Philippians 3:10 (thematic): Paul's desire 'to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death' parallels Gal. 6:17's claim that his bodily afflictions identify him with Christ.
- Colossians 1:24 (thematic): Paul rejoices 'in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions'—a theological link to bearing Christ's burdens/sufferings in the body as in Gal. 6:17.
- Acts 9:16 (allusion): God's promise to Paul that he will 'suffer many things for my name's sake' provides the vocational/biographical background for Paul’s claim to bear the marks of Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (structural): Paul's catalogue of hardships (beatings, imprisonments, labors) functions as a concrete counterpart to Gal. 6:17's brief claim of bearing Christ's marks—both portray suffering as identifying Paul with Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear on my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
- From now on let no one trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Gal.6.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Η: ART,nom,sg,fem
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- αδελφοι·αμην: NOUN,voc,pl,m + INTJ
Parallels
- Philippians 4:23 (verbal): Near word-for-word benediction: 'The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.' (identical closing formula).
- 2 Thessalonians 3:18 (verbal): Same closing blessing: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.' — a Pauline benediction formula closely matching Galatians 6:18.
- Romans 16:20 (verbal): Concluding blessing in Paul’s letters: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.' (appears immediately after final greeting, paralleling Galatians’ closure).
- 1 Corinthians 16:23 (verbal): Another Pauline farewell that invokes the grace of Jesus Christ for the recipients: succinct benediction similar in wording and function.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (structural): A fuller Pauline benediction ('The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all') — shares the same benedictory function and theological theme (grace of Christ) as Galatians 6:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Brothers, amen.
- Brothers, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
Those who want to make a favorable showing in the flesh press you to be circumcised, and they do so only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; what matters is a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear on my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.