The Sum and Substance of the Letter.

Paul has exposed the motives of those who would lead the Galatian Christians away.  They were trying to avoid persecution and they were trying to gain "brownie points" -- score some converts to their new religion of "Christ+plus".  Paul also unmasked the real problem with "Christ+plus".  It robs the Cross of its glory and power.  He had already said that in Galatians 2:21 (NIV),

²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

So now he says, “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. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.” (Galatians 6:14–15, NIV).  This is the crux and the summary of the whole argument.  "It is striking how much of the gospel is involved in this statement. The cross speaks of the atonement necessitated by man's sin. The full name of the Savior speaks of the significance of his person and the role he played, meaning literally "God who saves, the Messiah." Finally, the pronoun "our" speaks of the personal aspects of Christ's redemption, for it becomes "ours" through the response of faith." [1]

"This is a wonderful kind of speech which Paul here useth, when he saith: “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth anything.” It may seem that he should rather have said: Either circumcision or uncircumcision availeth somewhat, seeing these are two contrary things . . . When works are done, they bring indeed a new shew and outward appearance wherewith the world and the flesh are delighted, but not a new creature: for the heart remaineth wicked as it was before, full of the contempt of God, infidelity, &c.  [2]  

"The only thing that is important is to be a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life” (1 Jn 5:12)." [3]

This then becomes the sum and the essence of the argument.  Works, good deeds, religious performances are nothing.  What a person needs is the transforming work of the Spirit, called the New Birth and belief in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.   

Father by works I am condemned.  By lack of works I am condemned.  There is no Gospel in religion. There is no hope in ritual.  Only Christ saves.  Only the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Only faith in Christ alone justifies. There is no other boasting, except in the Cross of Christ.  He alone bore our sins on His own body on the tree.  Thank you Lord Jesus.  Thank you Father for the regenerating, renewing, resurrecting power of the Spirit.  Apart from You I can do nothing.  Fill my heart with Your grace today that I might serve You in all that I do.  For the glory of Christ and the glory of the Cross, I pray.  Amen.

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1. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/Conclusion (6:11-18), Book Version: 4.0.2

2. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 6:15). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2402). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.