Galatians 6:11-17
The warning of selfishness • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Final Warnings
Final Warnings
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
According to research Paul’s custom was to dictate his letters to other people. Most likely when dictating his letters he was in a position that he could hardly write them himself.
He was in jail and needed someone else to write the letter a he gave thought to pen.
In this farewell address he was writing the letter himself! Why?
I believe the text teaches that he was very concerned with the church of Galatia! Basically saying, “Look, notice my concluding notes! I am even writing this letter with my own hand!
This must have made an impression on the church of Galatia, in which was struggling with confusing glory of man with the glory of God!
Paul was clearly saying, Don’t miss this point! Paul is clearly giving his final warnings concerning glory to please the “brothers” around them, rather than pleasing the God that died for them!
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Paul’s first warning of changing for others, rather than changing for the glory of God alone!
The appearance of the word “constrain you!” Implies ungodly pressure to change for the pleasure and glory of the person!
2146. εὐπροσωπέω ĕuprŏsōpĕō, yoo-pros-o-peh´-o: from a comp. of 2095 and 4383; to be of good countenance, i.e. (fig.) to make a display:—make a fair show.
Basically to look good for the local church, rather than the glory of the Lord!
B. Paul also knows clearly their goal is to not be persecuted for the cause of Christ!
This is the ultimate wrong reason to change your belief system. To change so you would look good for others around you, and those others clearly are not saved!
“Only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ” - implies that they desire to brag about their numbers of growth, but lack of inward spiritual presents!
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
C. False teachers not only live for the glory of man, but demand others to do what they themselves do not do! Hypocrites leading others into a life of slavery!
They clearly teach another gospel!
14 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.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Marks of Freedom (Galatians 6:11–18)
We wear crosses on our lapels or on chains around our necks. But to the first-century citizen, the cross was not a beautiful piece of jewelry; it was the lowest form of death and the ultimate in humiliation. The proper Roman citizen would never mention the cross in polite conversation. It stood for rejection and shame.
2. We glory in the cross of Jesus Christ, by our identification with Him in all things!
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Our glorying is in the cross, not in the circumcision's of the flesh!
Why do we glory in the cross? Because Christ, through the redemption of the cross is our circumcision! Not a good work that we have done!
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Marks of Freedom (Galatians 6:11–18)
Jesus Christ is mentioned at least forty-five times in the Galatian letter, which means that one third of the verses contain some reference to Him. The person of Jesus Christ captivated Paul, and it was Christ who made the Cross glorious to him.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Marks of Freedom (Galatians 6:11–18)
The legalists did not glory in the cross of Christ because they did not glory in Christ. It was Moses—and themselves—who got the glory. They did not really know the Person of the Cross.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
We as Christians, desire to live and walk as He lived and walked. Our glory is in the success of the cross. The freedom in Christ was have, is because of Jesus not ourselves.
We glory in Him!
In history, some of the biggest empires fell because their leaders became selfish and corrupt. Take the Roman Empire, for example. Its leaders were so consumed by wealth and their own desires that they lost sight of their people. This led to chaos and collapse. When we focus on selfish ambitions instead of serving others, we risk our own spiritual downfall. Let’s learn from the past!
