Galatians 6:11–18 (NKJV)
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” (14-15)
Paul points out the hypocrisy of the Judaizers in that while they tell others to keep the law, they themselves do not even keep the law. Then Paul says that the demands of the world are meaningless to him. This was obviously true of Christ, here Paul says it of himself, and he asks his hearers to follow his example—his example of following Christ’s example. After all that’s what it means to be His disciples: We follow His teachings, and we follow His example. To do otherwise, quite simply is not the way of Christ, nor the way of His disciples. Thus, claiming to be Christian while behaving in worldly manners sets us up for the charge of hypocrisy as well.
Instead of all the nonsense about Jewish ceremonial law, Paul directs our attention to the thing that really matters: a new creation. This is the new reality for us in Christ that began in our baptism when we were marked with the cross of Christ.
Rather than the mark of circumcision on the body, Paul directs our attention to the marks on his body that are the result of being persecuted for Christ. In view of those marks, let all opposition now be silent! Finally, Paul concludes by pronouncing blessing and by drawing their attention away from the body (the flesh) and toward the seat of our faith in Christ, the spirit.
We Pray: Holy Father, in baptism You united me with Christ, putting my old nature to death and bringing forth the new nature to walk according to Your Word and Spirit. By the same Word and Spirit, guide us so to walk in the newness of our life in Christ, which is now our new creation. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
