Galatians 6:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 6:11-18

The apostle, having at large established the doctrine of the gospel, and endeavoured to persuade these Christians to a behaviour agreeable to it, seems as if he intended here to have put an end to the epistle, especially when he had acquainted them that, as a particular mark of his respect for them, he had written this large letter with his own hand, and had not made use of another as his amanuensis, and only subscribed his name to it, as he was wont to do in his other epistles: but such is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 6:11-18

6:11-18 See in what large letters I am writing in my own handwriting. Those who wish to make a pretentious display from the merely human point of view are trying to compel you to get yourselves circumcised, but their real object is to avoid persecution because of the Cross of Christ. For those who advocate circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they wish you to get yourselves circumcised that they may boast about the way in which you are observing the outward and the human rituals.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 6:12

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh ,.... By whom are meant the false apostles, who are here described, and their views, aims, and ends, opened and exposed. These were very desirous to carry a good face of things outwardly, of appearing outwardly righteous before men, and to be accounted so by them; and therefore did all they to be seen of them, and gain applause from them. They were such, as the Syriac version renders the words, as desired דנשתבהרון , "to glory in 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:11-18

Glorying in the cross. Paul has been urging the Galatians to do good to all men, for now is the seed-time of philanthropy, and the harvest will be afterwards. And now he appeals to them by the "large letters" of this unique Epistle, which seems to have been the only one which was a complete autograph. Though penmanship was a trouble to him, he was yet anxious to do for these Galatians what good he could in the spirit he has been enforcing. But philanthropy has its counterfeits.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:11-18

Parting words. I. HIS HANDWRITING . "See with how large letters I have written unto you with mine own hand." He seems to intimate that not merely the following words, but, against his usual custom, the whole Epistle, was in his own handwriting. This was to be interpreted as a manifestation of his interest in them in connection with the importance of the occasion. He also intimates that he used large characters. It cannot be imagined that his intention in doing so, and in calling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:12

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh ( ὅσοι θελουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί ); all those who wish to make a fair show in the flesh. In this verse and the next the apostle singles out for especial animadversion certain Christians, Galatian Christians no doubt, who were actuated by the aim of standing fair with the religious world of Judaism. They were Gentile Christians and not Jews; this appears from their not themselves wishing to keep the Law; for if they had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 6:12-13

Exposure of the tactics of his adversaries. The apostle recapitulates in a few sentences the contents of the Epistle and exhibits the falseness of his Judaistic adversaries in a clear light. Mark— I. THEIR DOGMATIC ATTITUDE . They "desire to make a fair show in the flesh." They made a pretentious display of religion by a zeal for external rites—"the unrenewed nature cropping out under its more special aspect of sensuousness and externalism." Yet all the while they affected a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 6:12

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh - To be distinguished for their conformity to external rites and customs. To be known for their zeal in this cause. They sought to show their zeal by making converts, and by inducing others also to conform to those customs. Paul here refers, doubtless, to the Jewish teachers, and he says that their main object was to evince their zeal in the observance of rites and ceremonies.They constrain you - You who are Gentiles. They insist on... read more

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