Galatians 6:10-18

 Galatians 6:10-18

The cross makes all the difference in the world. The Judaizers were deeply hypocritical in that they pretended to be the purest about keeping the Law of Moses. But Paul charges that all they were really after was a tally sheet of people that they had circumcised. This circumcision campaign would put them in good standing with their overlords among the Jews. It would also keep them from having to pay the high price of persecution for being a follower of Christ. It was, all in all, nothing more than a self- or man-centered religious scheme. 

In contrast, Paul points to the cross. The cross sets apart the disciple from the world and the world from the disciple. Being crucified to the world, the disciple dies to all the advantages that the world has to offer. In a general sense the disciple dies to the carnal and sinful pleasures of the world, but there is more to it than that. For the Judizers, there are two advantages to their system: it would offer protection from persecution because of its association with the law, and it gave the arrogant pride of self-satisfaction to works of religion. 

Paul would rather place his confidence in the work of Christ on the Cross rather than the work of men expressed on his privates. Is it worth noting here that Paul is equating “the world” to circumcision, even though circumcision was part of the Old Testament covenant? He does this because there are only two religious systems in the whole universe: the cross, where God is at work, and the world, where man is at work. Keeping the Mosaic Law is no more capable of saving a man than the dark rituals of pagan sacrifices. There is the Cross and there is everything else.

It is wise to take the measure of two things: what is sad and what is done. We can hear the arguments of both the Judaizers and Paul, but what has each done? The “marks” of the Judaizers will be circumcision. This is the very mark of turning away from confidence in Christ because of suffering and attempting to please man. The marks on Paul’s body were clear for all to see: the scars from stonings and whippings received in the presence of the Galatians. If the Judaizers were going to argue against Paul, Paul would allow his scars to argue against them. The word Paul uses, “brand mark” (NASV), is the root of our word stigma. This was a technical word and was a reference to the ancient pagan practice of devotees of Dionysus being branded with a leaf and vine as evidence of their commitment to their god. The disciple needs no brand or tattoo as a mark of his or her faith. The brands they bear are the scars of life and service; these are the marks of a disciple.

“Lord, mark my life as a life of holiness and service. AMEN”