Galatians 6:11-13

TEXT 6:11-13

(11) See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand. (12) As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. (13) For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

PARAPHRASE 6:11-13

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand. By this ye may understand my anxiety to preserve you in the true faith of the gospel.
12 As many of your teachers as wish to appear fair in the eyes of their unbelieving brethren, by their attachment to the law, these strongly persuade you to be circumcised, not because they think circumcision necessary to salvation, but only that they may not be persecuted by the unbelieving Jews, for preaching salvation through a crucified Messiah.
13 These hypocrites do not enjoin circumcision on any conscientious motives; for not even do the circumcised themselves keep the law of Moses; but they wish you to be circumcised, merely that they may boast, among the unbelieving Jews, of having persuaded you to receive that rite in your flesh.

COMMENT 6:11

See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand

1.

The closing words written in his own handwriting would prove its authorship.

2.

Some think large refers to the length and not the size of the letters.

3.

The motives of the Judaizers compared with that of the Apostles. Galatians 6:12-16

COMMENT 6:12

As many as desire to make a fair show

1.

Jewish religion carried some respectability.

2.

It didn-'t demand very muchChristianity was so strict.

3.

If they had presented the Cross with its simplicity, they would have offended their unbelieving countrymen.

only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ

1.

Catholic Bible: That they may not suffer persecution for the Cross.

2.

It would be a temptation to the weak Christian to swing over to Judaism to escape the persecution.

3.

This would make him credited among his brethren.

COMMENT 6:13

For neither they who are circumcised keep the law

1.

They professed Judaismnot from a desire to conform to the will of God but because Judaism was popular.

2.

These are the kind of teachers you have, they do not keep the lawall of it.

but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh

1.

It is not for the sake of their righteousness, although that impression is given.

2.

They force it on them that they may glory in their submission.

3.

The false teachers persuaded them from insincere motives.

STUDY QUESTIONS 6:11-13

993.

Did Paul make a mistake when he spoke of largeness in Galatians 6:11 and then wrote a small letter to the Galatians?

994.

Did it refer to the length of the letter or the size of his handwriting?

995.

Why did Paul want them to see his own handwriting?

996.

What is meant by fair show?

997.

Was early Christianity interested in respectability as are the major denominations today?

998.

What would a fleshly show refer to?

999.

What is meant by constrain?

1000.

Would weak Christians give over to a false teaching to avoid persecution or pressure?

1001.

Were those who demanded circumcision faithful to all the law?

1002.

Were the show-offs persuaded that circumcision was essential for salvation?

1003.

What accusation does Paul make here?

1004.

Why would they want some to keep part of it when they were not enthusiastic enough to keep all of it?

1005.

How would their troublemakers glory in the flesh of their proselytes?

1006.

Could it mean that they would glory in their submission?

1007.

If we submit to false teaching with sincere motives, does that make it right?