Galatians 6 14

Galatians 6:14 kjv

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.

Galatians 6:14 nkjv

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 niv

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.

Galatians 6:14 esv

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.

Galatians 6:14 nlt

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.

Galatians 6 verses

Galatians 6 14 Meaning

The verse declares that the writer will not boast in anything except the cross of Christ. This means that true boasting or glorification is found only in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ and what it accomplished for humanity, rather than in personal achievements, status, or religious practices.

Galatians 6 14 Context

Galatians 6:14 concludes a chapter that addresses the restoration of a fallen brother, the importance of carrying one's own burdens, the sowing and reaping principle, and finally, a strong refutation of the Judaizers' insistence on circumcision for salvation. Paul’s emphasis shifts here to his personal testimony and fundamental belief system. The Galatian believers were being swayed by those who argued for adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation and acceptance. Paul forcefully counters this by declaring that his only grounds for boasting and confidence are in the atoning work of the cross of Jesus Christ. This implies that relying on legalistic observances or human merit for standing with God is futile, as salvation and righteousness are achieved through faith in Christ’s sacrifice.

Galatians 6 14 Word Analysis

• "I" (ἐγὼ - ego): First-person singular pronoun, emphasizing Paul’s personal declaration and conviction.

• "will boast" (καυχάομαι - kauchaomai): To glory, to exult, to take pride in. In a negative sense, it can mean to boast vainly. Here, it is recontextualized from personal merit to divine accomplishment. This word is often used in the NT to describe boasting in oneself or in humanly impressive things. Paul contrasts this with true boasting.

• "in nothing" (οὐδαμῇ - oudamē): Not at all, in no way, by no means. This is an emphatic negation, setting up the absolute singularity of his boasting.

• "except" (εἰ μή - ei mē): If not, unless. This conjunction introduces the sole exception to his absolute refusal to boast in anything else.

• "the cross" (τὸ σταυρὸν - to stauron): The instrument of crucifixion. Here, it represents the entirety of Christ's suffering, sacrificial death, and redemptive work. It is the focal point of the Christian faith, the paradox of God's power through weakness. The definite article "the" highlights its singular and unique significance.

• "of our Lord Jesus Christ" (τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou): This possessive phrase emphasizes Christ's lordship over Paul, the Galatians, and all believers, and identifies Him as Jesus, the historical person, and Christ, the Messiah. The "our" denotes shared ownership and relationship through Christ.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "I will boast in nothing except" (ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι - emoi de mē genoito kauchasthai): This phrase, literally "far be it from me to boast," is a strong, emphatic prohibition and expression of personal conviction. It underscores Paul’s complete renunciation of self-pride. The optative mood in genoito conveys a wish or a prayer that this would never happen.
  • "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - ei mē en tō staurō tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou): This phrase encapsulates the exclusive object of Paul’s glorification. The definite article "the" marks it as singular and paramount. It’s not just any cross, but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, highlighting its unique identity and significance as the redemptive event accomplished by their Messiah and Lord.

Galatians 6 14 Bonus Section

This verse serves as a concise summary of the Pauline Gospel, where the cross is not merely an event in history but the central redemptive act that redefines everything. It stands in stark contrast to the prevailing philosophies and religious systems of Paul's day, which often emphasized human merit, ritual purity, or arcane knowledge for achieving favor with the divine. The theme of boasting exclusively in the cross resonates throughout Paul’s epistles, illustrating a radical reorientation of values and identity that finds its fulfillment not in self, but in Christ’s sacrificial love.

Galatians 6 14 Commentary

Paul makes a profound declaration in this verse, stripping away all potential sources of pride – religious rituals, intellectual prowess, social standing, or personal achievements. His singular focus is the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross was a symbol of shame and ignominy, the Roman method of execution for criminals and slaves. Yet, to Paul, it is the very source of glory because it represents God’s ultimate act of love, reconciliation, and victory over sin and death. It signifies the undoing of sin’s penalty and the spiritual transformation possible through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice. Paul's unwavering stance serves as a powerful rebuke to the Judaizers who were adding circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law as necessary for salvation, effectively undermining the sufficiency of the cross. The message is clear: Christ’s finished work on the cross is the only basis for salvation and therefore the only legitimate ground for Christian boasting.