11See with what great letters I have written to you with my own hand. [6:12] As many as wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh — these are the ones compelling you to be circumcised, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [6:13] For not even those being circumcised themselves keep the Law — but they desire you to be circumcised so that in your flesh they may boast. [6:14] But for me myself, never would it be to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. [6:15] For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. [6:16] And as many as will walk by this rule — peace be upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. [6:17] Henceforth let no one give trouble to me, for I myself bear in my body the marks of Jesus. [6:18] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
GAL 6:11-18
Final Warnings and Blessings
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, public honor and social standing were paramount, often achieved through visible markers of identity or allegiance. Circumcision, a Jewish identity marker, was a contentious issue in the early Christian communities, particularly among Gentile converts. Some Jewish-Christian leaders pressured Gentiles to undergo circumcision to avoid persecution from Jewish authorities and to maintain a favorable appearance in Jewish circles. Paul, however, rejects this outward conformity, emphasizing that true identity is found in the cross of Christ, which redefines one’s relationship to the world . The here represents the societal systems and values opposed to God’s purposes. Paul’s reference to his own (marks) likely alludes to scars from persecution, symbolizing his allegiance to Christ rather than to any human system. His large, handwritten letters underscore the urgency and personal weight of his message, contrasting with the superficial boasting of those advocating circumcision. Paul’s focus on a 'new creation' transcends ethnic and ritual boundaries, centering on transformation through Christ.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
GAL 6:11
- KJV
- Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
- BSB
- See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!
- Koinōnos
- See with what great letters I have written to you with my own hand.
GAL 6:12
- KJV
- As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
- BSB
- Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
- Koinōnos
- As many as wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh — these are the ones compelling you to be circumcised, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
GAL 6:13
- KJV
- For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
- BSB
- For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
- Koinōnos
- For not even those being circumcised themselves keep the Law — but they desire you to be circumcised so that in your flesh they may boast.
GAL 6:14
- KJV
- But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
- BSB
- But as for me, 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.
- Koinōnos
- But for me myself, never would it be to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
GAL 6:15
- KJV
- For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
- BSB
- For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.
- Koinōnos
- For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
GAL 6:16
- KJV
- And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
- BSB
- Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.
- Koinōnos
- And as many as will walk by this rule — peace be upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
GAL 6:17
- KJV
- From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
- BSB
- From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- Henceforth let no one give trouble to me, for I myself bear in my body the marks of Jesus.
GAL 6:18
- KJV
- Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
- BSB
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
- Koinōnos
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
GAL 6:11
- in how large:The word translated 'in how large' emphasizes the physical size or extent of the writing, suggesting Paul is drawing attention to the significant amount of text he has personally penned.
GAL 6:12
- to have a fair appearance:The phrase translated 'to have a fair appearance' implies a desire to make a good outward impression or to present oneself favorably, often for social approval or to avoid conflict.
GAL 6:14
- [the] world:The term translated '[the] world' here refers not just to the physical earth, but to the created order and, more specifically, to the human system of values and society that is often opposed to God.
GAL 6:17
- marks:The word translated 'marks' refers to brands or tattoos, often used to identify slaves as belonging to a master, or devotees as belonging to a god, indicating ownership or allegiance.