Galatians 6:11-18
11 Ye see how large a letter - St. Paul had not yet wrote a larger
to any church. I have written with my own hand - He generally wrote by
an amanuensis.
12 As many as desire to make a fair appearance in the flesh -
To preserve a fair character. These constrain you - Both by their example
and importunity. To be circumcised - Not so much from a principle of conscience,
as lest they should suffer persecution - From the unbelieving Jews. For
the cross of Christ - For maintaining that faith in a crucified Saviour
is alone sufficient for justification.
13 For neither they themselves keep the whole law - So far are
they from a real zeal for it. But yet they desire to have you circumcised,
that they may glory in your flesh - That they may boast of you as their
proselytes, and make a merit of this with the other Jews.
14 But God forbid that I should glory - Should boast of anything
I have, am, or do; or rely on anything for my acceptance with God, but
what Christ hath done and suffered for me. By means of which the world
is crucified to me - All the things and persons in it are to me as nothing.
And I unto the world - I am dead to all worldly pursuits, cares, desires,
and enjoyments.
15 For neither circumcision is anything, nor uncircumcision -
Neither of these is of any account. But a new creation - Whereby all things
in us become new.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule -
1. Glorying only in the cross of Christ.
2. Being crucified to the world. And,
3. Created anew.
Peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel, that is, the Church,
of God - Which consists of all those, and those only, of every nation and
kindred, who walk by this rule.
17 From henceforth let none trouble me - By quarrels and disputes.
For I bear - And afflictions should not be added to the afflicted. In my
body the marks of the Lord Jesus - The scars, marks, and brands of my sufferings
for Him.
