Lesson 10 

Galatians
Galatians 6:11-15

Glory Only In The Cross

Prayer:

Lord, show us through Your word the way to walk each day in the victory You want for us. 
Open our hearts and minds to receive the powerful truth of your word.  Speak to each of us
Lord individually where we are in specific ways that we each need.  Open our eyes to see that
truly our GLORY is in YOU and you ALONE! What a mighty God we do serve. 
In Jesus Name we pray,
AMEN. 

Key Words:

Circumcision:Cutting and removal of foreskin of males.
Judizers: People who promoted the Old Covenant - Law of Moses rules to live by. 
Glory: Great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown

Reading of the Word:
Galatians 6:11-15

Lesson 10:

Verse 11 - Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. (KJV)

Here Paul was writing in his own hand writing which he states is written in large letters. It is believed that Paul ended his letters with his own signature with a few words in his own handwriting because there had been some letters that had been forged in his name (2Thes. 2:2; 3:17) In this letter he writes a whole paragraph summarizing the main points of the letter. Perhaps the large writing is to emphasize his points, as if he were BOLDING his words; perhaps it is in reference to the difficulty with his eyesight. The reference to the difficulty with his eyesight is in chapter 4 verses 13-15.

Verse 12. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.(KJV)

As Paul is beginning the closing statements of this letter he refers back to chapter 5:2-12, concerning the topic of circumcision and the Judaizers who were trying to impose circumcision on others. Their point of teaching that all Christians should become circumcised was so that Christianity could become a sect of Judaism. This would have two advantages for them, first, this would "counter" the persecution that they were receiving from zealous Jews; secondly, this would enable them to include themselves in an official religion in the Roman Empire, Judaism. They did not want to suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

In the Weymouth translation this is how verse 12 reads: All who desire to display their zeal for external observances try to compel you to receive circumcision, but their real object is simply to escape being persecuted for the Cross of Christ.

Verse 13  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.(KJV)

From this verse we see that even these who were advocating the Galatians' circumcision were not keeping the entire law. They knew they were required to do so (3:12), because of their Jewish background but actually they were unable to really do so; see Romans 3:23). They wanted the Galatians circumcised so that THEY could brag about it and take "credit" for it.

In the Weymouth translation verse 13 reads like this: For these very men do not really keep the Law of Moses, but they would have you receive circumcision in order that they may glory in your bodies.

Verse 14 & 15: But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.(KJV)

The literal translation word for word according to the Strong's Concordance is:

Verse 14:  |1698| to me |1161| But |3361| not |1096| it may be |2744| to boast, |1508| except 1722| in |3588| the |4716| cross |2962| of {the} Lord |2257| of us. |2424| Jesus 5547| Christ |1223| through |3739| whom |1698| to me |9999| {the} |2889| world |4717| has been crucified, |2504| and I |3588| to the |2889| world.

Verse 15: |1722| in |1063| For |5547| Christ |2424| Jesus |3777| neither |4061| circumcision |5100| any |2480| strength |3777| has, not |0203| uncircumcision, |0235| but |2537| a new |2937| creation.

Weymouth's New Testament translation of these two verses reads like this: (14) But as for me, God forbid that I should glory in anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, upon which the world is crucified to me, and I am crucified to the world. (15) For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance; but only a renewed nature.(WNT)

Paul has shown that vain and proud hearts of religious people are content with just enough religion to look good, to put on an appearance or show. Now the Apostle Paul here is stating his faith as a believer. He proclaims that his own faith, hope, glory are in the cross and Christ crucified. Christ crucified gives us salvation but also, His sacrifice gives us the opportunity to be dead to the world's ways. The world is crucified to the believer and the believer to the world.

The more we understand the sacrifice made for us at the cross the less influence the world can and will have on us. All THINGS are considered worthless compared to HIM, Jesus or Lord and Savior. We are a new creation, the old things are passed away. Our perspective is different because we are believers. We are now to be lead by the Holy Spirit. God has a plan for our lives and believers begin to realize it is greater than just this physical life. Our heart is different, that inner man because it is now lead by God and not our flesh. The old man is crucified with Christ. He doesn't reign in us any longer. Jesus is our LORD, if we are believers. It is more of an inward change, which will manifest itself in outward evidence AFTER the inner change happens. It is not JUST an outward change for show.

Action Assignment

Ø First: Pray! Pray! Pray!

Ø Ask ourselves WHAT we take glory in, our own works or the work Jesus did, His sacrifice on the cross? Honestly evaluate our motives.

Ø Ask the Lord to increase our walk with Him. To increase our relationship with Him to a deeper level. 

Ø This is done through Prayer! Bible Study! And meditating on His Word!

Ø Share what the Lord has done and is doing in your life with someone else.