An Overview of Galatians
By Joe Guagliardo
Galatians 6:11-18
“Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen.”
July 16, 2023
For those of you who don’t know, this was the title of the final episode of the television show M.A.S.H.
M.A.S.H. stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
The words of that final show in the early 80s coincide well with Paul’s final words to the Galatians. Below you will find the conclusion of this book of the Bible. Thus, Paul is saying goodbye to the Galatians after making his case for Christ and not being circumcised.
Paul is also saying farewell. He has done all he can to convince the Galatians that God’s grace and our faith are enough for salvation.
And Paul finishes his discourse by saying the word amen. One of the definitions of the word amen is very truly; it is true. So, concludes this Book of Galatians by stating what he has said here is true.
Let’s take a moment and read Paul’s parting words to the Galatians.
“See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
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. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which (6:14 Or whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit, brothers, and sisters. Amen.”
Galatians 6:11-18
“See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!”
This is an interesting way for Paul to begin his conclusion, isn’t it? Usually, writers such as St. Paul would use a scribe as they dictated the words to be written. In addition, the scribes generally wrote relatively small, as writing materials and parchment were scarce and expensive.
Here Paul himself writes the opening line. Paul is telling the Galatians that he doesn’t care about the cost of the paper or ink used. He is writing in large Script to again emphasize how true his words are.
Paul speaks once again about the Judaizers:
“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”
Paul closes out his writing by once again emphasizing that circumcision is not needed to obtain salvation and is pointless. Paul continues to reinforce this point.
Finally, after both chastising and encouraging the Galatians, Paul says:
“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Paul seems to be speaking of the many hardships he has been through:
“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones. Three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”
2nd Corinthians: 23b-28
Paul is not saying he is like Christ. Instead, he points out all of the hardships he has gone through for the love of Christ. Paul was willing, as should we be, to suffer for what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Finally, on a positive note, because Paul has not given up on the Galatians, he bids them a cheerful goodbye by blessing them in the name of Jesus.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.”
(Thank you for reading and following me as I’ve shared these devotions based on the book of Galatians. To catch up or reread these devotions, go to joegministries.com. All of these devotions will be on the opening page in reverse order.)
God’s blessings
Joe G
joegministries.com 