The Final Blow!

Paul now brings this letter to the Galatian churches to a close.   But in the process it would seem that he takes the pen from his amanuensis and writes the final conclusion himself.  An amanuensis was someone who wrote down what the Apostle was dictating.  They were scribes, secretaries.

We know that Paul did not physically write some of his letters. It seems like he may have dictated all of them to a scribe. The Book of Romans closes with the following statement: “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:22, NIV).  In many letters Paul concluded the letter with his own hand (e.g. 1 Corinthians 16:2, Colossians 4:18, etc.) It was a sign of authenticity; and in this case he summarized the letter. So we read in Galatians 6:11–18 (NIV),

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! ¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. ¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to 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 and sisters. Amen.

This conclusion does several things:  One, it gives a fresh and straightforward knock-out punch; it restates the point in the clearest of terms; and it concludes with Paul's personal testimony and greeting.  First the warning:

“Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.” (Galatians 6:12–13, NIV) 

"To this end, therefore, they teach circumcision as necessary to salvation, that they may remain in favour with them and avoid the persecution of the Cross . . . Your teachers (saith Paul) are vain heads, and not regarding the glory of Christ and your salvation, they seek only their own glory.  [1] Paul is able to cut right to the heart of the matter in those who are trying to lead the Galatians astray. They were trying to avoid persecution.  Thus they found a compromise.  But it was a compromise that robbed the Cross of its power and its significance. They also seemed to view the Galatians as a challenge, a game.  They wanted to be able to boast that they won them over to this odious doctrine. 

Then Paul makes a broader, more astounding claim: “Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.” (Galatians 6:13, NIV).  "For he saith, that not only the false apostles, but all the nation of the Jews which were circumcised, keep not the law, yea rather that they which were circumcised, in fulfilling the law fulfil it not." [2]  Luther then writes on to make plain the issue of keeping the Law in the flesh:

"Wherefore, although they keep the law outwardly in their actions; yet in keeping it, they keep it not. For without Holy Ghost the law cannot be kept. But the Holy Ghost cannot be received without Christ; and where the Holy Ghost dwelleth not, there dwelleth an unclean spirit, that is to say, despising God, and seeking his own [gain and] glory." [2] 

If one is not born of the Spirit.  If one does not have the Spirit.  If one does not rest in the enabling work of the Spirit -- they cannot keep the Law.  Paul makes this clear in Romans 8:6–9 (NIV),

⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Without the Holy Spirit, the entire nation of Israel in the flesh are covenant-breakers, hostile to God. They cannot obey Him.  They need to be born-again.  They need that special work of the Spirit. More about that tomorrow.

Father, what a brilliant conclusion to this Letter.  What a challenging conclusion!  I wonder how much trouble and persecution I try to avoid but instead seek to water-down, compromise the Gospel? How easy it is to dance with the Devil.  Father, this compromise can be so easily rationalized.  These men thought they were keeping the Law.  They were filled with self-righteousness.  They hoped to win support to their new "christianity."   All they did was add one little element called circumcision to faith in Christ and they assumed everyone would be happy.  Just one little element!  No, it is Christ alone.  On Christ, the solid Rock I stand.  All else is sinking sand.  My hope alone is in You, Lord Jesus.  Nothing in my hands I bring.  Simply to the Cross I cling.  Wash my Savior or I die.  Today, Father I am refreshed in the truth that apart from the regenerating, enabling work of the Spirit, I cannot please You.  Help me Father to truly walk in the Spirit.  For the glory and beauty of Christ. Amen!

 

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1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:13). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.