Galatians 6:12

Galatians 6:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Context of Galatians 6:12

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. 11See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand! Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:12 word by word

ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ μὴ διώκωνται·Read the interlinear

• Those whoὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
• wantθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• to make a good impressionεὐπροσωπέωeuprosōpeō · to impressG2146
• outwardlyἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• outwardlyσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• are trying to compelἀναγκάζωanagkazō · to compelG315
• youσύsu · youG4771
• to be circumcisedπεριτέμνωperitemnō · to circumciseG4059
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• toἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• avoidμήmē · notG3361
• persecutionδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• for theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• crossσταυρόςstauros · crossG4716
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Galatians 6:12

• Galatians 6:13For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
• Matthew 6:2So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
• Matthew 23:5All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
• Luke 16:15So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
• Luke 20:47They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
• John 7:18He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.
• 2 Corinthians 10:12We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
• Philippians 1:15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
• Philippians 2:4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
• Colossians 2:23Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
• Galatians 2:3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
• Acts 15:1Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
• Galatians 5:11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
• Philippians 3:18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Commentaries on Galatians 6:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12A 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12As 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-15Verses 12-15 Proud, vain, and carnal hearts, are content with just so much religion as will help to keep up a fair show. But the apostle professes his own faith, hope, and joy; and that his principal glory was in the cross of Christ. By which is here meant, his sufferings and death on the cross, the doctrine of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. By Christ, or by the cross of Christ, the world is crucified to the believer, and he to the world. The more we…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-13Despite their theological arguments, the false teachers were self-serving. They wanted approval from non-Christian Jews and cared more about their reputation than honoring God.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Contrast between his zeal in their behalf, implied in Ga 6:11, and the zeal for self on the part of the Judaizers. make a fair show--(2Co 5:12). in the flesh--in outward things. they--it is "these" who constrain you--by example (Ga 6:13) and importuning. only lest--"only that they may not," &c. (compare Ga 5:11). suffer persecution--They escaped in a great degree the Jews' bitterness against Christianity and the offense of the cross of Christ, by…Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 6:12

• Circumcision
• Cowardice
• Diplomacy
• Opinion, Public
• Persecution

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Circumcision
• Communicate
• Cross
• Crucify
• Cutting
• Fault
• Overtake
• Reap

Commentaries on Galatians 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings