Galatians 6:10-14 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:11

Ye see how large a letter - There is a strange diversity of opinions concerning the apostle's meaning in this place. Some think he refers to the length of the epistle, others to the largeness of the letters in which this epistle is written, others to the inadequacy of the apostle's writing. It appears plain that most of his epistles were written by an amanuensis, and simply subscribed by himself; but the whole of the Epistle to the Galatians was written by his own hand. To say that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:12

A fair show in the flesh - The Jewish religion was general in the region of Galatia, and it was respectable, as it appears that the principal inhabitants were either Jews or proselytes. As it was then professed and practiced among the Jews, this religion had nothing very grievous to the old man; an unrenewed nature might go through all its observances with little pain or cross-bearing. On the other hand, Christianity could not be very popular; it was too strict. A Jew made a fair show there,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:13

Neither they themselves who are circumcised - They receive circumcision and profess Judaism, not from a desire to be conformed to the will of God; but Judaism was popular, and the more converts the false teachers could make; the more occasion of glorying they had, and they wished to get those Christian converts, who had been before proselytes of the gate, to receive circumcision, that they might glory in their flesh. Behold my converts! Thus they gloried, or boasted, not that the people were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should glory - Whatever others may do, or whatever they may exult or glory in, God forbid that I should exult, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in the grand doctrine, that justification and salvation are only through Christ crucified, he having made an atonement for the sin of the world by his passion and death. And I glory, also, in the disgrace and persecution which I experience through my attachment to this crucified Christ. By whom the world is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:10

Verse 10 10.While we have opportunity. The metaphor is still pursued. Every season is not adapted to tillage and sowing. Active and prudent husbandmen will observe the proper season, and will not indolently allow it to pass unimproved. Since, therefore, God has set apart the whole of the present life for ploughing and sowing, let us avail ourselves of the season, lest, through our negligence, it may be taken out of our power. Beginning with liberality to ministers of the gospel, Paul now makes... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:11

Verse 11 11.Ye see. The meaning of the Greek verb ἴδετε, is so far doubtful that it may be taken either in the imperative or indicative mood; but the force of the passage is little if at all affected. To convince the Galatians more fully of his anxiety about them, and at the same time to ensure their careful perusal, he mentions that this long Epistle had been written with his own hand. The greater the toil to which he had submitted on their account, the stronger were their inducements to read... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:12

Verse 12 12.As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh. Such men pay no regard to edification, but are guided by an ambitious desire to hunt after popular applause. The Greek verb εὐπροσωπὢσαι, (100) is highly expressive, and denotes the kind looks and address which were assumed for the purpose of pleasing. He charges the false apostles with ambition. As if he had said, “When those men lay circumcision upon you as a necessary burden, do you wish to know what sort of persons they are,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:13

Verse 13 13.For neither they who hold by circumcision keep the law. The old version and Erasmus translate thus: who are circumcised. But Paul appears to me to refer to teachers only; and for this reason I would prefer to render the words, those who hold by circumcision, which would not include all circumcised persons, and thus would avoid ambiguity. The meaning is, “It is not from a strong attachment to the law that they bind you with the yoke of ceremonies; for, even with their own... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:14

Verse 14 14.But God forbid that I should glory. The designs of the false apostles are here contrasted with his own sincerity. As if he had said, “To avoid being compelled to bear a cross, they deny the cross of Christ, purchase with your flesh the applause of men, and end by triumphing over you. But my triumph and my glory are in the cross of the Son of God.” If the Galatians had not been utterly destitute of common sense, ought they not to have held in abhorrence the men whom they beheld... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:6-10

The seed-time of philanthropy. Paul has just spoken of the most delicate and precious form of philanthropy—that which deals with a brother's sins. And now he passes on to speak, just for a moment, of the duty which the Galatians owe to their spiritual teachers. They are pre-eminently the unburdeners of men's hearts; they undertake as life's chief work the ministering to minds diseased. Let them be considered, therefore, and receive all good things from those they serve. But he passes on to... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 6:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:6-10

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