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 work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. 11Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised — but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• As many asὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
• desireθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• to make a fair shewεὐπροσωπέωeuprosōpeō · to impressG2146
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• theyοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• constrainἀναγκάζωanagkazō · to compelG315
• youσύsu · youG4771
• to be circumcisedπεριτέμνωperitemnō · to circumciseG4059
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
• ·ἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• lestμήmē · notG3361
• they should suffer persecutionδιώκωdiōkō · to pursueG1377
• for the crossὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• for the crossσταυρόςstauros · crossG4716
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Galatians 6:12

• Galatians 6:13For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.
• Matthew 6:2So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.
• Matthew 23:5They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
• Luke 16:15And he told them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.
• Luke 20:47They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.”
• John 7:18The one who speaks on his own seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
• 2 Corinthians 10:12For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
• Philippians 1:15To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will.
• Philippians 2:4Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
• Colossians 2:23Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.
• Galatians 2:3But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
• Acts 15:1Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
• Galatians 5:11Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
• Philippians 3:18For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that 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