Final Warnings and Benediction (Galatians 6:11-18)

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 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. 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. 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. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon 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 be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” (Galatians 6:11-18, ESV)

This study marks our last look at the book of Galatians. Before we get to that, I want to briefly review what we’ve studied and show how it all fits together. Paul’s theme in this letter is the believer’s freedom in Christ from sin and the law. The basis of our freedom is in the fact that we are justified by our faith in Christ alone, and not be works (summed up nicely in Galatians 2:16). Paul defends his thesis in chapters 1 and 2 by showing from his own life how this is true. We also get a glimpse of Paul defending his thesis from attack by the Judaizers; we found out that Paul would not tolerate any other gospel being preached in the church except the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. In chapters 3 and 4, Paul lays down the theological foundation for his thesis. He does so by offering several arguments in support of his view, and demonstrates conclusively that salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In chapters 5 and 6, he shows how all of this applies to living the Christian life—how we are to live out our freedom and how we are to bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. In the final passage of this book, Paul gives us a final warning and, what is commonly called, a benediction. The warning is broken down into two parts and instructs us how to spot a false teacher from a true follower.

1. How to Spot a False Teacher (vv. 11-13). Paul begins this section with a very odd statement in v. 11. Most commentators believe that Paul wrote his letters through a secretary. So Paul had been dictating up to this point and wanted to write the final section personally. It’s as if he were saying, “Look, what I’m about to tell you is really important, so I’m going to write it personally; and I’m going to use large letters so you won’t miss it.”

So what is so urgent that Paul took the pen in his own hand? He wanted to give his readers a final warning on false teachers and how to spot them. Paul discusses three ways to spot a false teacher. First is to understand they want to focus on externals. That’s what Paul means when he says they “want to make a good showing in the flesh.” Paul mentions circumcision here, but any external ritual will do. Beware of those who place a premium on rituals and experiences—things external. Jesus himself said that the workings of the Spirit couldn’t be seen (John 3:8). Second is the way they avoid controversy (v. 12b). Paul says elsewhere the cross of Christ is an offense and a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23). False teachers will avoid controversy by compromising the truth or ignoring the differences between true Christianity and all other false religions. They do this to avoid being persecuted, unlike those who boldly proclaim God’s truth for any length of time. Finally, false teacher don’t practice what they preach (v. 13). They are all talk with no walk; all style with no substance. Beware of those who do not practice what they preach.

2. How to Spot a True Follower (vv. 14-16). In contrast to the false teachers identified above, a true follower exhibits humility (v. 14a). A true follower does not boast in any of his accomplishments because he knows without Jesus, he is nothing. The true believer knows any good he does is the work of the Holy Spirit within him. Secondly, true believers do not have a worldly focus (v. 14b). They display a true “in, but not of” mentality. They don’t hate the world; they just know the folly of placing one’s hope in the things of the world. Thirdly, their energy is focused on nurturing the spirit (the inner man) and not on external ritual (v. 15). This is not to say that ritual in inherently evil. It is a realization that the heart is where a believer ought to focus. Take baptism for example. Jesus commanded believer baptism, but it doesn’t save! It is a symbol of the inward reality of the new birth. Paul offers a concluding comment to this section in v. 16. To those who do not boast about their own accomplishments, who do not have a worldly focus, and who focus on the new creation—the inward man—peace and mercy be upon them. Peace, that calm, confident assurance in the plans and purposes of God, and mercy, the withholding of God’s righteous wrath because of the finished work of Christ.

Now Paul says a very curious thing at the end of v. 16. He says “the Israel of God.” This is a reference to the church (not “a” church, but “the” church). Israel was the name God gave to Jacob back in Genesis 32:28. Jacob was Abraham’s grandson, and heir to the promise. Now go back to Galatians 3:29, and Paul says the same things about the followers of Christ. Now maybe you’re saying, “So what! What’s the big deal?” The big deal is there is a lot of incorrect teaching within the church that says the church has replaced Israel as God’s covenant people, and that all of the OT promises given to Israel have been transferred to the church because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus. It is true that Israel has been temporarily set aside for the church, but there is still a future for the nation of Israel. How do I know this? Because God never breaks a promise! Read Romans 9 – 11, and you will see that God still has a role for the nation of Israel—they will be redeemed, and the OT promises will be fulfilled!

3. Paul’s Final Statement and Benediction (vv. 17-18). Paul concludes this great epistle with a closing remark in v. 17. It’s as if the Apostle has made his case to his readers, so he says “let no one cause me trouble.” Why? Because Paul bears on his body “the marks of Jesus.” In other words, he has suffered physically for the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 for an inventory of Paul’s sufferings). Finally, he gives us the benediction in v. 18 where he wishes the grace of Christ to rest with us.

Application Time. This is a great epistle! It is a liberating epistle. God has saved us by his grace, and he keeps us by his grace. We are free from the legalistic demands of the law, and from bondage to our sin. Not free to do what we wish, but free to live as God designed us to live. Jesus Christ has fulfilled the requirements of the law, and that righteousness is ours by faith in him.

Bottom Line. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Have a blessed day!

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