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 Living Translation (NLT)Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save.

Context of Galatians 6:12

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 11See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 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. 13For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom 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

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 not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
• Matthew 6:2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
• Matthew 23:5But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
• Luke 16:15And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
• Luke 20:47who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
• John 7:18He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
• 2 Corinthians 10:12For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
• 2 Corinthians 11:13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
• Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
• Philippians 2:4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
• Colossians 2:23These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
• Galatians 2:3Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
• Acts 15:1And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
• Galatians 5:11And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
• Philippians 3:18For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the 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
• Circumcision
• Communicate
• Cross
• Crucify
• Cutting
• Fault
• Overtake
• Reap
• Rejoicing

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