Galatians 6:13 kjv
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Galatians 6:13 nkjv
For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Galatians 6:13 niv
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 esv
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.
Galatians 6:13 nlt
And even those who advocate circumcision don't keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
Galatians 6 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 6:13 | ...for they themselves who are circumcised do not keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. | Rom 2:25 (Circumcision's value depends on law-keeping) |
| Galatians 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. | Gal 5:6 (Faith and love are what matter) |
| Philippians 3:3 | For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, | Phil 3:3 (True circumcision is spiritual) |
| Romans 2:28-29 | For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not from men but from God. | Rom 2:28-29 (True Jewry and circumcision are spiritual) |
| Acts 15:1, 5, 24 | And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."... But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."... It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these essential things: | Acts 15:1, 5, 24 (Council addressing requirement of circumcision) |
| John 8:39-44 | They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do not do the works of Abraham." They said to Him, "We are not born of fornication; we have one Father—God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; for I have not come on My own authority, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." | John 8:39-44 (Distinction between fleshly and spiritual descent) |
| Galatians 1:7-9 | Which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. | Gal 1:7-9 (Warning against perverting the gospel) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:17 | For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. | 1 Cor 1:17 (Emphasis on the cross, not eloquence) |
| 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 | For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might gain the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law, that I might gain those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. Have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be a partaker of it. | 1 Cor 9:19-23 (Paul's adaptation for the gospel's sake) |
| Romans 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | Rom 11:29 (God's covenants and calling are secure) |
| Colossians 2:11-12 | In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. | Col 2:11-12 (Spiritual circumcision in Christ) |
| Matthew 5:13-16 | You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, on what will it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. | Matt 5:13-16 (Believers as salt and light, influencing the world) |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you might proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; | 1 Pet 2:9 (Believers as God's special people proclaiming His praises) |
| Galatians 5:11 | And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has been done away. | Gal 5:11 (Paul's argument about persecution and the cross) |
| 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. | 2 Cor 5:17 (Being a new creation in Christ) |
| Galatians 6:12 | As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. | Gal 6:12 (The motive of the Judaizers) |
| Deuteronomy 10:16 | Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not stiffen your neck anymore. | Deut 10:16 (Exhortation for a circumcised heart) |
| Jeremiah 4:4 | Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire And burn with no one to quench it, Because of the evil of your doings. | Jer 4:4 (Spiritual circumcision called for) |
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. | 1 Sam 16:7 (God's perspective on the heart) |
| Matthew 23:25-28 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy, lawlessness, and all uncleanness. | Matt 23:25-28 (Condemnation of outward righteousness masking inner corruption) |
Galatians 6 verses
Galatians 6 13 Meaning
This verse condemns those who merely boast about outward rituals or religious observances, particularly circumcision, as their means of salvation or righteousness. It asserts that the true distinction and focus is not on fleshly marks, but on the new creation brought about by faith in Christ, evidenced by a transformed life. Those who emphasize external religious requirements over genuine inner change and commitment to the cross of Christ are effectively avoiding or diminishing the persecution that follows a faithful proclamation of the gospel.
Galatians 6 13 Context
This verse is part of the closing arguments in Paul's letter to the Galatians. The Galatian churches, a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, were being pressured by "Judaizers" who insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. Paul strongly opposes this, arguing that salvation comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 6 addresses the dangers of seeking validation in the flesh, contrasting it with living by the Spirit. The preceding verse (Galatians 6:12) directly states the motive of these agitators: to gain a good reputation by appealing to outward appearances (circumcision) and thereby avoid the persecution that comes with genuine adherence to the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:13, therefore, serves as Paul's explanation and condemnation of this hypocrisy. It highlights the futility of boasting in external rites when the perpetrators themselves do not uphold the very law they demand others follow, and their true goal is human approval and control rather than genuine spiritual transformation.
Galatians 6 13 Word Analysis
- καυχήσωσιν (kauchēsōsin) - From καυχάομαι (kauchaomai).
- Meaning: To boast, glory, exult, commend oneself.
- Analysis: This verb is in the subjunctive mood, third person plural. It indicates the purpose or intent of those who promote circumcision. Their aim is to boast or glory in the physical aspect of their converts, their outward conformity. This highlights the vanity and self-serving nature of their actions. It contrasts sharply with the godly boasting Paul speaks of elsewhere, which is in the Lord or in the cross.
- μᾶλλον (mallon) - Adv.
- Meaning: More, rather, instead.
- Analysis: Used here to emphasize that the emphasis is more on the external, fleshly gain than on any true spiritual benefit or adherence to God's will.
- περικόπτονται (perikoptontai) - From περιτέμνω (peritemnō).
- Meaning: To circumcise.
- Analysis: The passive voice and indicative mood suggest a statement of fact about those who are circumcised. They receive the ritual of circumcision.
- Contextual Note: The ritual of circumcision was a sign of the covenant in the Old Testament (Gen 17:9-14). However, Paul consistently argues it became obsolete with the coming of Christ and that true circumcision is of the heart, spiritual (Rom 2:29, Col 2:11-12).
- αὐτοὶ (autoi) - Pronoun.
- Meaning: They themselves.
- Analysis: Emphasizes the subject of the sentence, stressing that the circumcised ones are the ones not keeping the law. It highlights their hypocrisy.
- νου̃ (nou) - From νόμος (nomos).
- Meaning: Law.
- Analysis: Refers specifically to the Mosaic Law, the set of regulations given by God to Israel, which the Judaizers were now imposing on Gentile believers.
- οὐ (ou) - Adv.
- Meaning: Not.
- Analysis: A strong negation directly contradicting any claim that they, though circumcised, are fulfilling or obeying the law.
- φυλάττουσιν (phylattousin) - From φυλάσσω (phylassō).
- Meaning: To keep, guard, observe, obey.
- Analysis: The present tense indicates an ongoing action or habit. They do not habitually keep or obey the law. This is a key part of their hypocrisy – they demand a ritual they themselves fail to live out in its entirety.
- ἀλλ’ (all’) - Conjunction.
- Meaning: But, rather.
- Analysis: Connects the two contrasting statements, highlighting the "but" in their practice: but they want others circumcised.
- ὑμα̃ς (hymas) - Pronoun.
- Meaning: You (plural).
- Analysis: Directly addresses the Galatian believers, emphasizing the coercion and imposition they face.
Group Analysis:
- "αὐτοὶ οὐ φυλάττουσιν τὸν νόμον" (autoi ou phylattousin ton nomon)
- Meaning: They themselves do not keep the law.
- Analysis: This is the core accusation of hypocrisy leveled against the Judaizers. They adhere to one aspect of the Law (circumcision) for external recognition but disregard its entirety, failing to uphold its ethical and spiritual demands. This connects to Jesus' rebukes of the Pharisees who focused on the letter of the law while neglecting its spirit (Matt 23:23).
- "θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι" (thelousin hymas peritemnesthai)
- Meaning: They want you to be circumcised.
- Analysis: This describes the action they press upon the Galatians. The infinitive passive ("to be circumcised") shows their desire that the Galatians undergo the ritual performed by others. It underscores the forced compliance they seek.
- "ἵνα ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ ὑμῶν καυχήσωνται" (hina en tē sarki hymōn kauchēsōsin)
- Meaning: That they may boast in your flesh.
- Analysis: This phrase reveals their true motivation. They wish to glory in the outward conformity of the Galatians' flesh. This boast is superficial and directed at human validation, a stark contrast to boasting in Christ's cross, which Paul defends throughout the letter. It's a self-centered glorying, not God-honoring.
Galatians 6 13 Bonus Section
The insistence on circumcision by the Judaizers was not merely a ritualistic issue but a theological one that fundamentally altered the nature of the gospel. By demanding it, they were essentially attempting to re-establish the framework of Old Covenant law-keeping as the means of righteousness, rather than the New Covenant righteousness found exclusively through Christ's finished work. This stance represented a denial of the sufficiency of Christ's atoning sacrifice and a retreat into a form of "another gospel" that sought to gain human favor over divine approval. The "offense of the cross" (Gal 5:11) they sought to neutralize by adding circumcision was the radical idea that a crucified Messiah, not law-keeping, brings salvation, and that true spiritual lineage is by adoption into God's family through faith, not by ethnic or ritualistic affiliation. The concept of "boasting in the flesh" directly counters the apostolic teaching of "boasting in the Lord" (1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17).
Galatians 6 13 Commentary
The verse starkly condemns those who demand adherence to external religious practices, like circumcision, as the basis for salvation or spiritual standing. Paul identifies their hypocrisy: these individuals, despite undergoing the ritual themselves, do not truly keep the entire Law. Their true motive is revealed – they desire to boast in the converts' outward conformity (their flesh), thereby magnifying their own influence and standing. This "boasting in the flesh" is fundamentally opposed to the Christian life, which is to be rooted in faith in Christ and lived by the Spirit, often marked by the persecution that faithfully following Christ brings, rather than a comfortable conformity that earns human praise. They sought to leverage outward appearances to gain acceptance for themselves and to establish a system of legalism that undermined the true sacrifice and finished work of Christ on the cross, which is the ultimate offense and offense-taker for them (Gal 5:11).