Galatians 6:11-18--Final Warning and Benediction

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 which 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.

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Paul finishes his letter to the Galatians (a part of the letter that they would actually read first because of the way that the scrolls were rolled up) to assure them that he himself is writing this letter and it's not one of his assistants or someone using his name.  They may even recognize his writing and the "large letters" he's using may indicate his passion.

He finishes where he started--they should not be drawn away by the false gospel of the Judaisers.  The real gospel is not the real gospel if it has anything added to or taken away from it.

I know we're in a different book, but did you know that Revelation gives such a warning because it conveys the gospel and the consequences for not believing the true gospel?

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Revelation 22:18-19
English Standard Version18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.


Paul similarly is concerned about the Galatians that they not believe a false gospel and be part of the group that would experience God's wrath because the song of their lives is "I Did It My Way" nor that they imagine they are part of a family they were never adopted into and have no part in the inheritance of eternal life and the kingdom centered around the tree of life (which at least symbolically is the cross of Christ).

Paul says that anyone trying to make it by their own self-righteousness and preaching that to others is nothing but a hypocrite because there are none that are righteous (on their onw merits), no, not even one (see Romans 3:9-18)


Romans 3:9-18
English Standard VersionNo One Is Righteous9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11     no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
They only do this to boast in their own flesh, but as Christians we should only boast in Christ and His finished work on the cross because it is through that work that we are justified (declared righteous) and sanctified (made holy).  I've posted much of the rest of his argument from the Romans 3, so I won't repeat it other than to say that Jew or Gentile ("circumcision" or "uncircumcision") means nothing to God, it's all about being "in Adam" or "in Christ" (see Romans 5).

Paul basically says this this the last time he's going to address this issue with them because he's been clear that nothing is ever going to change and that this should be the final word on the subject for them and all who are trying to trick them to cause grief to Paul and he doesn't want to hear any more about it.  Again, this is probably one of the most strongly-worded letters that Paul wrote because he's rightfully upset that people would be actively trying to get Christians to turn back to their old way of living (or to another gospel) and that the so-called Christians would be so quick and willing to do so.

We should ask ourselves if we too have added or subtracted anything from the true gospel that is laid out here for us so clearly in the book of Galatians and if we are willing to be accursed and receive the just punishment on ourselves mentioned in the book of Revelation if we would believe a false gospel or encourage others to believe a false gospel.  We must believe the real gospel and be able to profess it accurately to be about the work of The Great Commission that the Lord Jesus left us with.  It is the power of God unto salvation and is the most important thing that we get right in all of Scripture.