Charles Ellicott Commentary Galatians 6:15

"For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." — Galatians 6:15 (ASV)

In Christ Jesus.—These words are omitted by the Vatican MS. and by the best editors. They seem to have come in from the parallel passage in Galatians 5:6.

Neither circumcision . . .—We have had almost the same words in Galatians 5:6 and in 1 Corinthians 7:19. It is interesting to note the different ways in which the sentence "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but..." is completed:

1. Faith which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6).
2. A new creature (Galatians 6:15).
3. Keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19).

The first is an analytical statement of the process which takes place in the Christian; the second is the state resulting from that process; the last is the visible sign and expression of the presence of that state.

A new creature.—The Greek may mean either the “act of new creation” or the “person newly created.” The Authorized Version apparently takes it in the latter sense, which perhaps is to be preferred.