Galatians 6 17

Galatians 6:17 kjv

From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Galatians 6:17 nkjv

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Galatians 6:17 niv

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Galatians 6:17 esv

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Galatians 6:17 nlt

From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

Galatians 6 17 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Galatians 6:17"From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."Galatians 6:17
2 Corinthians 11:23"Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s offspring? So am I."2 Corinthians 11:23 (Paul's lineage)
2 Corinthians 11:24"Six times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes minus one."2 Corinthians 11:24 (Physical abuse)
2 Corinthians 11:25"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,"2 Corinthians 11:25 (More persecution)
2 Corinthians 4:10"always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."2 Corinthians 4:10 (Sharing Jesus' death)
Philippians 3:10"that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,"Philippians 3:10 (Suffering for Christ)
Romans 8:17"and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him."Romans 8:17 (Suffering leads to glory)
Colossians 1:24"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,"Colossians 1:24 (Suffering for the church)
Acts 5:41"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name."Acts 5:41 (Rejoicing in suffering)
2 Timothy 3:12"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"2 Timothy 3:12 (Persecution is inevitable)
Matthew 5:11-12"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is in heaven, for so were the prophets who were before you."Matthew 5:11-12 (Beatitudes on persecution)
John 15:20"Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."John 15:20 (Jesus was persecuted)
1 Peter 4:13"But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice in the revelation of his glory."1 Peter 4:13 (Sharing Christ's sufferings)
Acts 14:22"strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."Acts 14:22 (Tribulations to enter the kingdom)
Galatians 1:6"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel,"Galatians 1:6 (Warning against a different gospel)
Galatians 1:7"not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."Galatians 1:7 (Distortion of the gospel)
Galatians 5:12"I wish those who unsettle you would also get themselves castrated!"Galatians 5:12 (Strong condemnation)
1 Corinthians 4:3"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself."1 Corinthians 4:3 (Paul's self-assessment)
2 Corinthians 10:7"Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself that just as he belongs to Christ, so do we."2 Corinthians 10:7 (Claiming belonging to Christ)
Galatians 6:14"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 (Boasting in the cross)

Galatians 6 verses

Galatians 6 17 Meaning

This verse signifies the unwavering commitment of the Apostle Paul to his Christian faith, asserting that he bears the marks of Christ's suffering on his body. It emphasizes the suffering as a tangible testament to his apostleship and his complete devotion to the message of the Gospel, distinguishing him from those who might seek outward glory or adhere to a different doctrine.

Galatians 6 17 Context

In Galatians chapter 6, Paul is concluding his letter to the churches in Galatia. The recipients were being swayed by false teachers who insisted on Jewish customs, particularly circumcision, as necessary for salvation. Paul addresses the importance of living by the Spirit, not by the Law. He speaks of the spiritual law of reaping what one sows, the proper way to restore a fallen brother, and the importance of bearing one's own load. The preceding verses in chapter 6 highlight the contrast between sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit, and the ultimate accountability each person will face before God. This final verse serves as a strong personal affirmation of his apostleship and the validity of his message, a stark counterpoint to the legalistic arguments of the false teachers.

Galatians 6 17 Word Analysis

  • εἴ τις (ei tis): "if anyone" (any person). This is a conditional clause, common in Pauline epistles.
  • ἐνοχλεῖ (enochlei): "causes trouble" (to molest, to trouble, to annoy, to afflict). The root indicates disturbance or hindering. It refers to those who persistently harass and disturb Paul or his ministry.
  • μοι (moi): "to me" (dative personal pronoun). Emphasizes the personal impact of the troubles.
  • γὰρ (gar): "for" (introduces a reason or explanation). Connects this statement to the preceding context, providing justification.
  • τὰmärxstigmata (stigmata): "marks" or "stains." In the ancient world, this term referred to brands or tattoos put on slaves or soldiers to mark their ownership or allegiance. In this context, it metaphorically represents the scars and injuries Paul sustained due to his dedication to Christ. The word itself can imply permanent, visible marks.
  • τοῦἸησοῦ (Iesou): "of Jesus" (Genitive case of Jesus). This indicates that the marks are not just any marks, but specifically the marks that are connected to or borne because of Jesus. They are badges of identification with Christ.
  • φέρει (pherei): "I bear" or "I carry." This is the present tense of the verb meaning to carry, to bear. It suggests an ongoing reality of these marks, a continuous carrying of the effects of persecution.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "From now on": Signifies a definitive declaration, a shift or finality in his stance.
  • "let no one cause me trouble": A protective, almost authoritative statement warding off further opposition.
  • "for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus": The justification for his request – his physical sufferings are evidence of his genuine service and bond with Christ. These "marks" serve as a counter-argument against those who would discredit his apostleship or distort the gospel.

Galatians 6 17 Bonus Section

The concept of "stigmata" connects with ancient practices, but in a spiritual sense for Paul, it is the divine authentication of his ministry through hardship. It is a paradoxical statement: suffering is presented not as a sign of failure or God’s displeasure, but as the ultimate evidence of belonging to Christ and faithfully carrying His message. This resonates with Jesus' own statement in John 15:20 that the world persecuted Him, so it will persecute His followers. Paul turns the criticism and accusations of his opponents into his defense, effectively saying, "Let them throw stones or argue with their false teachings; I have the genuine, God-given marks that speak of my true discipleship." The term implies an indelible ownership, like a brand on a slave that permanently identifies him with his master.

Galatians 6 17 Commentary

Paul's statement is a powerful assertion of his apostleship. The "marks of Jesus" likely refer to the physical wounds and scars he endured as a result of his missionary work and persecutions for Christ. These were not self-inflicted penances but the consequence of his faithful proclamation of the Gospel. They stood in stark contrast to the proud boasts or outward certifications of the false teachers who were troubling the Galatian believers. Paul is saying, "I don't need any other credentials or arguments; these scars on my body are the authentic endorsements of my ministry, proving my devotion and suffering for Jesus." He invites scrutiny, knowing that his suffering is a testimony to his integrity and the truth of the Gospel he preaches. This is not an invitation to self-pity, but a bold declaration that true Christianity involves sharing in Christ’s suffering.