Daily Devotional Saturday 7th November 2020
by William Moody
Galatians 6:11–18
Final Warning and Benediction
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which1 the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Footnotes
[1] 6:14
Or through whom (ESV)
Paul who normally dictates his letters for another to write, here writes a bit himself, probably with the large letters typical of a child (v11). Paul isn’t interested in making a name for himself, unlike the false teachers who have influenced the Galatians.
These teachers changed the Gospel to make it more acceptable their Jewish hearers; to enable them to avoid persecution and so that they can boast how they made the Galatian believers more Jewish (v12-13).
Paul’s boasting is very different, his boasting is in Christ and the cross (v14). What the false teachers focused on and made a big deal about in regards to circumcision, was nowhere near as important as the cross (v15-16). The cross is the only way to be sure of God’s mercy and must remain our focus in life.
Paul has suffered for Jesus in his own body (v17) and doesn’t want to be annoyed by these arrogant upstarts who thought they knew better. Paul rather wants to focus the grace of God that comes through Jesus (v18).
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